Cup Handles Vs Bar Pulls Vs Wooden Knobs

Posted On: Oct 11, 2022

Categories: Wooden Knobs , Cup Handles

Cup Handles Vs Bar Pulls Vs Wooden Knobs

What’s the best cabinet handle to buy is one of our most frequently asked questions at Oak & Forge. 

A cup handle, pull handle or a traditional cabinet wooden knob are the three most common types of handles to choose from, and they each offer a distinctive and functional finish to a cabinet, door, or piece of furniture. 

We’ve recently explored the cup handles vs wooden knobs, and the pull handles vs cup handles conundrum, and today we pull them all together, to get a look across all cabinet handle options to help you choose the right handle for you, and your home. 

What Are Pull Handles?

Pull handles are one of the most popular choices of cabinet handles, they’re by far the most modern style of handle, and they can be used on cabinets, doors and drawers.

As the name suggests, pull handles are designed for pulling, this makes them perfect for drawers and doors where a pulling action is required.

For those with limited mobility in fingers, pull handles are a smart choice as you can easily grasp them without difficulty. 

They remain a popular choice in homes due to their versatility, and availability in a huge range of finishes, colours and styles, so you can find one to match your chosen decor scheme. 

What Interior Style Are Pull Handles Suited To?

Pull handles are one of the more modern cabinet handle options, but depending on the style, they can also work well in both contemporary, and more traditional spaces.

As they are available in multiple finishes too, you can match them perfectly to your interior design scheme for a cohesive feel throughout. 

The Heritage pull handle is a wonderfully classic style that gives a very traditional appearance. Perfectly suited to period style, and traditional interiors. Whereas, our Modern Wooden & Metal Pull Handle would stick out like a sore thumb. 

We’ve even got contemporary style handled with our Beech Wooden Handle which is a great touch in a modern or contemporary interior.

This sleek look is minimal, and works incredibly well throughout a multitude of rooms, and pieces of furniture. 

What Are Cup Handles?

Cup handles are traditionally a curved semi circle, designed for use on cabinets and drawer units.

They add more visual interest to a piece of furniture than a traditional pull handle due to the excess material that the cup handle has. 

They have always been a traditional, period style of cabinet hardware, but they have seen a resurgence in popularity over the last few years for a multitude of decor schemes. 

What Interior Style Are Cup Handles Suited To?

Cup handles have often been considered a very traditional type of cabinet hardware suited to period style properties and homes of other distinctions. However, recent years have seen a revival of cup handles, especially for modern farmhouse style interiors, and those with rustic decor.  

Our cup handles are available in a variety of styles and finishes, and the style you choose should reflect the interior style of your home. 

Certain finishes such as polished brass can be seen throughout period, Farmhouse and modern style homes, whilst polished chrome is indicative of the art deco era. Yet, polished chrome is a highly versatile finish that can be enjoyed by homes of different distinctions. 

What Are Wooden Knobs?

Wooden knobs are the most traditional, and long standing type of cabinet hardware. They have been used in homes since medieval times and offer durability and versatility to cabinets, and other pieces of furniture.

Wooden knobs are typically rounded, but not always. They’re a versatile option as they’re available in many different sizes, shapes and come in a variety of different finishes. Many have the option of being painted too so they can be matched to your specification. 

However, they can be less suitable for certain people who have limited mobility in their fingers, where grasping smaller wooden knobs can become difficult.

What Interior Style Are Wooden Knobs Suited To?

Wooden knobs are a traditional option, but there’s so many styles available that they are one of the most versatile pieces of cabinet hardware for almost all decor schemes.

Curvature in interiors is a huge trend this year, and those cabinets are not without those perfectly rounded wooden knobs. Neither are those country style kitchens that want to add something really traditional to finish off the space.

For a modern touch, add a pair of black painted wooden knobs to a cabinet for a wonderful black accent that will help to ground the space. 

Our wooden knobs at Oak & Forge are available in a number of different finishes including maple, oak and walnut. But, you also have the option to paint them the same colour as your existing cabinetry.

Cup Handles Vs Pull Handles Vs Wooden Knobs

So, which one is the best? Actually, each type of cabinet handle is highly versatile, and can be moulded to suit your decor scheme, so there isn’t one right answer here.

However, your chosen decor scheme and the style you are looking to achieve will help you to make the decisions for your finishing touches. Let your interiors lead the way!

For a period style property and traditional decor scheme, cup handles or wooden knobs are the best choice. Whilst pull handles are great for modern, and contemporary decor schemes. 

When choosing the right cabinet hardware, if you are looking to purchase in bulk, it’s always best to get one sample beforehand so you can see how it looks in the space, and hold it up against the chosen cabinet, or door to see how it looks.

From a mobility point of view, pull handles are the best option, their wider handle is much easier to grip and pull, unlike their traditional counterpart, wooden knobs, which can be difficult to grasp, depending on the size. 

It’s always a good idea to moodboard beforehand, especially when planning a new kitchen so you can see how everything would work together once installation has taken place.

Hopefully, you are now one step closer to choosing the perfect style, and finish for your home.

For further inspiration, take a look at our exquisite range of cup handles, pull handles and wooden knobs at Oak & Forge.

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