Selecting the Best Drawer Handles
- By Jesse Akre
- Published 01/28/2012
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- Unrated
Jesse Akre
Jesse Akre owns Edenvale Shoppes and hosts numerous furniture and furnishings for any home whether it be towel bars or indoor bench styles and designs.
View all articles by Jesse Akre
Drawer handles can come in many different shapes and sizes. There are also many different materials and styles available. In fact, there are so many choices when it comes to selecting handles that the decision can seem like a major one. However, understanding a little bit about all of the aspects of choosing drawer handles can really help you make an informed and high quality decision.
Shapes and Sizes
One of the first things you will notice while shopping for handles is all of the different shapes and sizes that are available. Choosing the right shape for your drawers is certainly an important part of size and style. Think about whether you prefer wavy lines or straight. Also consider whether you want to see intricate carvings on the drawer handles or whether you prefer something very simple. Another thing to think about is whether you want knobs or actual handles. Both types of drawer handles provide their own unique attributes, and selecting which one you prefer is a simple matter of taste and preference. The shape should be one that matches the overall theme in the kitchen or bath, and it should be the perfect size for the drawer. It should also be one that is very easy to grab onto.
Also the distance between the holes is extremely important because some drawers have holes for the hardware already drilled. If this is the case, then it is very important that you measure the distance between those two holes. Make sure that you limit yourself only to hardware that has the proper distance between the holes. Other choices would be to choose a knob, which often has just one hole.
Materials and Styles
There are also many different materials
available. Metal is probably the most popular material used in drawer handles. Some common metals include brass, nickel, and bronze. If you decide to purchase metal drawer handles, then take into account any metal allergies anyone in your family might have. Other than that, there is really no difference in durability among the different kinds of metal.
Other materials include stone, which is increasing in popularity, despite its very high price. Many people appreciate stone hardware because it matches their granite counter tops. Glass is also becoming more and more popular as a material simply because so many people like that wider selection of colors that are available.
Of course the type of material you choose for your drawer handles plays right into the style. Metal handles tend to be very sleek, while glass drawer handles are fun and festive. Plastic handles are very inexpensive and available in many different colors, although the durability is a problem with some of the very cheap ones.
Quality
Quality is always an issue when making a purchase, and judging quality of handles can be a little difficult unless you know what to look for. First, feel the weight of the handle in your hand. It should feel very heavy, especially if it is made of metal or stone. High quality metal and stone both weigh quite a bit, so the weight of the items makes a major difference in the quality. Next, examine how the pieces are attached and how they will attach to the drawer. Look at the joints and determine if they look and feel secure. Drawer handles that feel like they will fall apart probably will. Also look for name brands in various hardware manufacturers. Names like Amerock or Top Knobs have been around for a very long time, and customers have written plenty of reviews about these manufacturers.
Shapes and Sizes
One of the first things you will notice while shopping for handles is all of the different shapes and sizes that are available. Choosing the right shape for your drawers is certainly an important part of size and style. Think about whether you prefer wavy lines or straight. Also consider whether you want to see intricate carvings on the drawer handles or whether you prefer something very simple. Another thing to think about is whether you want knobs or actual handles. Both types of drawer handles provide their own unique attributes, and selecting which one you prefer is a simple matter of taste and preference. The shape should be one that matches the overall theme in the kitchen or bath, and it should be the perfect size for the drawer. It should also be one that is very easy to grab onto.
Also the distance between the holes is extremely important because some drawers have holes for the hardware already drilled. If this is the case, then it is very important that you measure the distance between those two holes. Make sure that you limit yourself only to hardware that has the proper distance between the holes. Other choices would be to choose a knob, which often has just one hole.
Materials and Styles
There are also many different materials
Other materials include stone, which is increasing in popularity, despite its very high price. Many people appreciate stone hardware because it matches their granite counter tops. Glass is also becoming more and more popular as a material simply because so many people like that wider selection of colors that are available.
Of course the type of material you choose for your drawer handles plays right into the style. Metal handles tend to be very sleek, while glass drawer handles are fun and festive. Plastic handles are very inexpensive and available in many different colors, although the durability is a problem with some of the very cheap ones.
Quality
Quality is always an issue when making a purchase, and judging quality of handles can be a little difficult unless you know what to look for. First, feel the weight of the handle in your hand. It should feel very heavy, especially if it is made of metal or stone. High quality metal and stone both weigh quite a bit, so the weight of the items makes a major difference in the quality. Next, examine how the pieces are attached and how they will attach to the drawer. Look at the joints and determine if they look and feel secure. Drawer handles that feel like they will fall apart probably will. Also look for name brands in various hardware manufacturers. Names like Amerock or Top Knobs have been around for a very long time, and customers have written plenty of reviews about these manufacturers.
