How to choose your kitchen door handles

Before you choose handles for kitchen cabinets, remember it needs to fit in with the design of your kitchen, be in a complementing material, and comply with you and your family's personal needs and requirements.

So, while exploring the different types of kitchen door handles available, answer the following:

• Is your kitchen modern or traditional? If your kitchen doesn't strictly fit in to either category, consider which way you'd like the design to lean, as the door handles can have a big impact on the overall look of a kitchen. If your kitchen already has a clear ultra-modern or traditional design, choose a corresponding door handle, as a contrasting design can look jarring.
• What materials feature throughout your kitchen? The material used for the kitchen worktops and cabinets will impact the door handles you can choose. For example, wooden knobs will not work with gloss or granite materials, but polished chrome or brushed steel can complement them perfectly.
• Does your family have any specific physical requirements? Some kitchen door handles are especially suited for anyone who struggles to grip small objects, so consider the physical impact the handles you choose will have on those who use the kitchen regularly.

Once you've answered the above questions, it's time to explore the different types of handles for kitchen cabinets that are available to suit your needs.

Perhaps one of the most universal door handle designs available, a bar handle suits almost any kitchen style, including modern, minimalist and traditional.

Depending on the length of the kitchen door handle, a bar style can help to negate the need for multiple handles on long drawers and cupboards. This is great news for anyone who prefers a more simplistic, streamlined design.

The Wren Kitchens bar handle collection is available in a vast range of designs and materials. The Lisa handle is a modern, statement piece; the Emily handles are versatile and subtle; while the Alice handle adds a regal finish to the cupboard design.

Whilst the curved, slim-line design of the bow kitchen door handle might have originated in the 1930s, no handle is better suited to a thoroughly modern kitchen.

Bow handles are the perfect choice for anyone looking for the convenience and usability of the bar handles, but with a little more flair and style. These handles look great against modern designs in both matt and gloss, and can either make a statement, or blend in with the overall kitchen design.

The Kelly bow handle is a simple and elegant choice for similarly understated kitchens. The Lucy handle, meanwhile, makes a real impact, with the ultra-modern style being the perfect finishing touch to a contemporary design.

Perfectly traditional, there's surely no better choice than cup handles for lovers of vintage inspired kitchens.

Originally designed in the mid-19th century, cup handles are sturdy, hard-wearing and easy to clean and maintain. As the style is authentic, the design can help to make the kitchen furniture look genuinely antique, whilst the functionality of the handle is ideal for heavy drawers and cupboards.

The Nora cup handle is available in antique pewter, making it the ideal finishing touch to a vintage or traditional kitchen design. Meanwhile, the Heidi handle, whilst not a full cup kitchen door handle, takes inspiration from the design to create something a little more modern. This makes it a more flexible choice for those who want to straddle modernity and traditional design.

Dependent on the material used, the knob handle can appear to be anything from rustic to regal. This versatile handle may be traditional, but can complement a whole range of kitchen designs.

The material of the knob really dictates the effect it will have on your kitchen design. Wooden knobs are rustic, and work well in a country style kitchen or farmhouse design. Chrome knob kitchen door handles are much more modern, which is ideal for a minimalist kitchen, whilst nickel and pewter is more traditional, but quite classy for those who want a luxurious kitchen design.

The Lizzie is a beautiful oak handle that is ideal for rustic designs; Ruby is a sleek, modern chrome design, and Esme and Rose are perfect for a sophisticated finish.

To ensure your handles provide the perfect accent for your kitchen, you must ensure that handles are properly placed on your cabinets. This positioning depends on where they are used:

• Wall units: Place kitchen door handles close to the bottom of the door. Place bar and bow handles vertically, to make cabinets easy to open.
• Base units: The kitchen door handle position on base cabinets should be at the top of the door, to avoid having to stoop to open them. Bow and bar handles look good when placed horizontally, whereas shorter handles can be placed vertically.
• Drawers: if your drawer measures less than 600m in width, opt for one kitchen door handle. If it’s wider, then fit two.

Choosing door handles for your kitchen can be tricky, but with a little bit of forethought, you can easily condense the pool to choose from. Vintage or modern; rustic or minimalist, there's a door handle to complement your kitchen design perfectly. To see how our range of handles for kitchen cabinets can transform your kitchen, book an appointment to visit your nearest Wren showroom, or try our online kitchen planner.