How to choose the right furniture handle?

The different types of furniture handles

How do you choose the perfect furniture handle for your interior? Which shape will best give your wardrobe a new look? What colour complements your kitchen’s style? Beyond appearance, it’s important to consider a range of technical factors when choosing these functional and highly decorative fittings! Each type of furniture handle has its own features and distinctive look. 

Choose the shape, size and material of handles or knobs to suit the furniture and where it sits in your home. 

Let’s look at all the types of furniture handles available in modern hardware! 

1. Furniture knobs 

Furniture knobs are single-point handles. They’re extremely easy to fit: simply choose a position and screw them into place.  

Furniture knobs come in a variety of shapes: 

• Round knobs

Although it is the traditional shape for door and furniture knobs, the round knob has been reinvented in a wide range of finishes and colours! Far from the plain black or grey aluminium knob, coloured wood, polished brass and clear glass are now common options for this type of handle. 

• Square knobs

Hardware is embracing bold new design trends! This square knob in raw gold-coloured bronze stands out on the doors of a modern kitchen base unit. Why not choose designs with real character in brass, stainless steel or wood?

• Unusually shaped knobs 

Furniture handles inspire the most creative designers! Explore knobs with unusual shapes and materials, such as this hexagonal glass furniture knob. Ideal for enhancing a kitchen or bathroom cabinet, it adds style to any piece of furniture.

Some furniture handles break the mould, such as this gold semicircular knob, available in a large 70 x 70 x 20 cm size!  

Knobs also come in various sizes: 

• The small knob – up to 20 mm in diameter – Primarily decorative, this slim knob requires a delicate grip and is suited to the doors or drawers of small pieces of furniture that see little use. Best avoided on furniture in young children’s bedrooms!
• The medium knob – over 20 mm and up to 40 mm in diameter – This is the most common type of knob. Ergonomic and easy to use, it suits furniture throughout the home, from the kitchen to the bedroom. 
• The large knob – over 40 mm – Striking and original, this knob is highly decorative while also being very comfortable to use. 

2. Pull handle 

A pull handle is attached to furniture with two screws. As its name suggests, you pull it to open a drawer or cabinet door. It can be fitted horizontally, vertically or diagonally. If you’re replacing old handles, measure the distance between the existing holes so you don’t have to fill and redrill the cabinet door. 

Pull handles are comfortable and highly functional: as well as letting you pull a drawer or cabinet door open and push it closed, they provide somewhere to hang a tea towel, hand towel or other item. This type of handle suits bathroom furniture, kitchen cabinets and children’s bedroom furniture – there’s no shortage of uses!

3. T-bar handle

T-bar handles have one or two fixing points and an elongated grip. They combine the minimalism of knobs with the practicality of longer handles, with a second bolt or pin to prevent movement. They can be fitted horizontally, vertically or diagonally; when fitted vertically, they also provide a handy place to hang things. 

Available in a range of styles and materials – modern, Scandinavian, wood, bronze or steel – these small handles are exceptionally stylish. 

A quick tip: for horizontal handles, check that there’s enough space to fit them without hitting other elements, so you can use the furniture comfortably.

4. Edge pull

Edge pulls fit perfectly into minimalist interiors. They emphasise the furniture’s linear form and define its lines while remaining discreet.

There are different models: handles fitted to either the top or the side edge of a furniture front. Fitting them requires a few measurements, as they are generally mounted from behind, over the door edge, and the thickness of the material must be taken into account. 

With its gold brass finish, this model elegantly accents the drawers of an unfinished wooden cabinet.

5. Cup pull 

The cup pull has a charm of its own. Fixed at two or three points, it offers a comfortable grip. It combines the practicality of an edge pull with the appearance of traditional knobs and oblong handles.

It is easy to fit to furniture, with no need to leave a gap between the fronts. This type of furniture handle gives a white kitchen a Scandinavian feel. A gold or silver finish on navy-blue drawers lends living-room furniture a nautical look.

6. Recessed handle

A recessed handle, also called a flush pull, consists of a component set into the furniture’s wood and a decorative front. A hole needs to be cut to accommodate it, for example by routing. The advantage is an almost flat front with no protruding parts, making these handles perfect for sliding doors.

7. Pull-tab handle 

A pull-tab handle, also known as a tab pull, is a type of furniture handle used to open drawers or doors by pulling a small tab or strap. Usually fitted to the top or side edge of a door or drawer, it provides an easy, ergonomic grip.

Designed to be discreet and compact, they blend seamlessly with the minimalist design of modern furniture. Whether in black leather or pineapple-based vegan leather, this handle will look striking on oak kitchen drawers!

Furniture handle materials

Furniture handles come in a wide range of materials, including brass, stainless steel, zamak, bronze, nickel, zinc, porcelain, crystal and ceramic. 

Each of these materials offers different qualities in terms of strength, durability and appearance. Solid brass is known for its robustness and natural patina, while brushed stainless steel gives furniture a clean, modern look. Coloured glass adds a chic touch to bathroom or kitchen furniture.

The handle’s finish is another factor to consider. Choose from gold, chrome, bronze, polished brass, matt nickel, matt black or lacquered white, depending on the style you want for your furniture. Colourful, decorated handles – distinctive pieces available at affordable prices – can make your furniture look its best!

In short, hardware comes in many types of furniture handles! Your choice of handles plays a crucial role in how your interior looks and functions. From knobs and discreet, minimalist edge pulls to practical, modern pull-tab handles, each type has its own advantages and distinctive features. These functional, decorative fittings help us refresh our interiors without changing everything – and at little cost! By carefully choosing handles that suit your style and needs, you can easily transform your furniture and lift your whole interior. Complete the look by fitting stylish interior door handles in the same finish as your furniture handles! With so many options available, finding the perfect handle for every piece of furniture becomes an exciting creative adventure.