They say good design is in the details. And when it comes to furniture fittings and bathroom and kitchen equipment needs, we have to agree. New kitchen cabinet handles give your kitchen a new look, while the use of a specific type of hinge can make opening and closing a cabinet door more convenient and functional. It's definitely worth taking a look at the options for cabinet furnishings. Our guide is intended to give you a good introduction to the topic and also make planning your dream kitchen easier.
Part I: Kitchen Cabinet Handles
There are numerous kitchen cabinet handles with different names, but the most common ones are knobs, clamshell handles, bow handles and bar handles. Handleless kitchen cabinets are also very popular these days. However, the description “handleless kitchens” hides various solutions such as handle profiles, handle strips or push catches. You will find out more about this later.
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Knobs secured with a single screw are most commonly used on cabinets and drawers. Cabinet knobs are made in a variety of materials including brass, zinc, stainless steel, bronze, glass, crystal, plastic, porcelain, wood and other natural and man-made materials. While they come in a range of shapes and sizes, the design avoids sharp edges wherever possible for comfort and ergonomics.
Bar handles
Another handle option for kitchens are handles that are attached to cabinet door fronts with two or more screws. Maybe you've had experiences where you wanted to replace old cabinet handles with new ones, only to find that the hole spacing wasn't right. Don’t worry – you’re not alone! This often happens because the distance between two screws varies depending on the type, manufacturer and other factors.
Some handles are specifically designed for kitchen cabinet fronts where appliances such as refrigerators or dishwashers are installed. In contrast to conventional cabinet handles, these have to be more robust because they are used much more often. When you open the refrigerator door, a so-called suction effect is created, so you have to pull harder. Plus, you probably open the fridge more often than most cupboards in your kitchen. Therefore, many handles for cabinets with built-in appliances are larger, wider or thicker than the others.
Shell handles
The most popular furniture handles include the curved shell handles, also known as shell handles. These are mounted with the recessed grip facing downwards and can be easily grasped with one or more fingers. Since the curved metal handle can only be installed in one direction, it is primarily used on drawers and tall pull-outs.
Milled recessed grips
Finally, another popular way to open cabinets without the use of traditional handles or knobs isCutouts in the kitchen fronts. These are often found in bespoke kitchens where a minimalist look is desired or where the budget is tight. Cutouts can have different shapes and are often designed to make opening easier.
Handleless kitchen fronts – the different handleless variants
Handleless kitchens are particularly popular at the moment. They not only impress with their elegant look, but are also easier to care for.The frontsare much easier to clean and appear better. Various design options are available here:
Tip on / Push to open /Pressure snapper
Tip-On or Push-to-open is a spring mechanism for opening and closing handle-free cabinet doors. To open, all you need to do is gently press on a certain point on the front. To close the cabinet, simply push it shut until you hear a quiet “click”. This means the spring is back in its locked position.
Electronic serv-on technology
With this innovative technology, the door is opened thanks to a very sensitive sensor. However, there is always the risk that they will accidentally touch the drawers and thereby trigger the mechanism. This system proves to be particularly practical for wall cabinets.
Milled recessed grip
In addition to tip-on mechanisms, there are also other grip options. Recessed grips incorporated into the front are becoming increasingly popular. A depression is milled into the plate and covered with an aluminum grip track. The handle profiles can either follow the front color or be set in contrast.
The handle strips made of aluminum or stainless steel can not only be installed flush with the surface, but can also be used as classic handles. In this variant they are mounted on the back of the cupboard door.
Part II: Kitchen Cabinet Hinges and Fittings
At theChoosing kitchen cabinetsYou should not only pay attention to the aesthetics of the fronts, but also to high-quality fittings technology so that doors, flaps or pull-outs function smoothly.
Concealed hinges
Every kitchen cabinet that opens over a door has concealed hinges. These are available in different types of hinges, which indicate the position of the door in relation to the kitchen body. Basic stop types for concealed hinges are:
- Present stop – the doors are in front of the body
- Center wall stop – two doors are mounted on a center wall
- Internal impact – the doors lie within a body
Today, three-dimensional, adjustable hinges are predominantly used. They have larger opening angles and allow optimal access to the interior of the cabinet. Damping elements that ensure a gentle closing process are common. The Softclose damping system is either invisibly integrated into the hinge arm or can be retrofitted.
Opening mechanisms for upper cabinets
Lift fittings are mainly used in...Upper and top cabinetsused. This means that the space in the kitchen cupboards can be fully utilized. Depending on the opening angle and position of the doors, a distinction should be made between fold-up fittings, swing-up fittings, lift-up flaps and fold-up fittings.
Part III. Drawer runners
Finally, the kitchen cabinet equipment includes the guide systems that enable pull-outs and drawers to be opened and closed smoothly. Drawer runners are available in side, center and base versions, depending on how much space there is between the drawer and the cabinet wall. The different drawer runners also differ in their load capacity.
Drawer slides include:
- Underfloor guides – are installed invisibly below the drawer
- Roller guides – have nylon rollers and are guided in a metal guide.
- Ball guides (telescopic extensions) – are popular because of their small installation width.
- Frame guide systems – allow drawers to be customized with special options.
All types are available as full and partial extension. The full extension allows insight and access into the back corner of the drawer and is the ideal equipment solution for the ergonomic kitchen. However, the partial extension is the inexpensive alternative to the full extension and focuses functionally on the essentials.
We hope that our guide on kitchen cabinet handles, hinges and drawer slides will be a useful aid to you in planning your dream kitchen. Functional cupboards support your work processes in the kitchen and offer enough storage space so that you always have an overview in your kitchen.
