TOO HOT TO HANDLE

WHAT TO CONSIDER...

Handles are extremely important for your kitchen design.  They can provide that finishing touch or they can change the entire look you were going for. When you are selecting handles for your kitchen you need to consider four main factors; the functionality of the handle, the design or style, the finish or material used to make the handle and whether or not you even want handles in your kitchen design.  There are many options available to you so lets look at a few now.

fUNCTION

The functionality of your kitchen handles is very important.  They are there to do a job and you need to ensure that job is done well.  Functionality includes:

• Position of the handle on the cupboard or drawer.
• Size of the handles.
• Quality of the materials used to make the handle.

​Handles are used to open and close doors.  The way in which they are positioned and their size will have a huge impact on how easy you find it to open and close your kitchen cupboards and drawers.  Putting a handle vertically in the middle of a cupboard door will make it virtually impossible to open, however placing it on the opening edge makes the job easy.  Positioning should also be determined by the average height of the kitchen user and by the overall look you want to achieve.  Choosing a handle that is too small for the average person in your household will also make opening drawers a challenge. 
To ensure ongoing functionality you need to select handles that give you the desired quality but still fit within your kitchen budget.  

dESIGN

There are so many kitchen handle designs to choose from.  There are two main categories for handle design:

1. Traditional
2. Modern

Traditional handles provide a bit of class and old world charm.  They can look great in a luxury kitchen that features decorative wood cupboards and marble bench tops.  They end up being one of the main features of your new kitchen design.  Some traditional designs include:

• Long narrow decorative pieces.
• Cup pull.
• Decorative round pull.
• Antique or vintage designs.

Modern handles are perfect for your contemporary kitchen designs.  They are more rigid and streamlined and don't detract from other key features.  Some modern designs are:

• Long, flat with square edges.
• Short, flat with square edges.
• Long with rounded edges.
• Short with rounded edges.
• Round flush pull.
• Long and curved.

fINISH

The finish you choose for your handles will determine their longevity and also the look of your handle.  You can select a finish to 'pop' against your kitchen or you can find a finish that blends in.  Some options include:

• Stainless steel.
• Brass.
• Wood.
• Pewter.
• Chrome.
• Silver.
• Powder coated metals in a (available in a range of colours).

nO HANDLES

You also have the option of going handle-less.  This is the perfect look for a modern minimalist kitchen design, or a monochromatic kitchen.  There are two main options available when you make this choice:

• Push open functionality.
• Grip channels.

Push doors and drawers open when you give them a small push, they pop open ready for action.
Grip channels are exactly that, a channel in the top edge of the cupboard of drawer that allows you to open using your fingertips.

YOU'VE GOT THIS HANDLED

Whether you decide to go with handles or no handles, KICH can provide you with a FREE kitchen design that will allow you to see what your selection looks like in the planning stage of your new kitchen.

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