How and why should I use knobs and handles in my kitchen?
Kitchen door handles are, although you may not realise it, a fundamental part of your kitchen. They provide easy and practical access to cupboards, drawers and other kitchen furniture that we use and touch every single day, and, as there are often so many of them, provide a key focal point within the room. Therefore they must be functional, durable, long-lasting, easy to clean and maintain, and above all, must fit in stylishly with the overall design of the kitchen. Installing new handles on cupboard doors is a simple and inexpensive way of updating your kitchen and giving it a new look.
For more inspiration on updating your kitchen, see our Q&A: Finishing touches
What are my choices when it comes to the design of knobs and handles in my kitchen?
These days, door and drawer handles come in many different materials and styles - choose yours carefully so that they don't clash with the design of the rest of your kitchen. Handles and knobs can be made from plastic, wood, brass, metal, china, glass and chrome; and can come in a simple U shape, a circular shape or be carved into a certain style for a more sophisticated look. Simple, U-shape metal handles suit modern, frameless kitchen units, whereas wood handles are more appropriate for a traditional kitchen.
Whichever handles you end up choosing for your kitchen, they should be within easy reach for you to hold and use; appropriate for the size and thickness of the unit it is being attached to; and fit in well with the style of the existing kitchen units and work-tops.
Looking for new built-in or free standing kitchen cupboard units? Take a look kitchen range options here.
How can I add a personal touch to the handles and knobs in my kitchen?
Handles and knobs made from wood are appropriate for a more classic, traditional kitchen, and as an added advantage, can be personalised if you choose to paint or stain them yourself. Be sure to give them many coats of hard varnish so that they are suitably hard-wearing, otherwise they may discolour from being constantly touched.
When chosen to match the countertops, wooden door and drawer handles can add a warm ambience to your kitchen if the idea of minimalistic steel does not appeal to you.
How do I install kitchen door knobs?
Installing new knobs on to kitchen furniture is a very straightforward process, made simpler by the fact that there will already be a hole made in the door or drawer from the previous knob. To remove the old knob, open the drawer or door, find the bolt from where it was screwed in and unscrew it with a screwdriver whilst holding on to the knob. Take the new bolt and door knob and fit into the old hole using the same screwdriver.
How do I install kitchen door handles?
Installing kitchen door handles itself is just as simple as with door knobs, but requires a little more preparation, door handles require two holes with a distance between them, known as the hole centres.
Usually, in the majority of modern kitchens, the distance between the holes starts from 64 mm and increases by 32 mm as the distances get larger, for example: 64 mm > 96 mm > 128 mm > 160 mm etc.
Be sure to measure the hole centres before choosing and buying your new door handles. To install them, unscrew the bolt of the old handle as before, and fit them again using a screwdriver.
What’s the best way to keep knobs and handles clean?
As a place where all the house’s food preparation, cooking and most likely eating, too, is done, it is highly important that your kitchen is kept as clean as possible – even down to the small things like cupboard handles and door knobs, which can easily become sticky and dirty with constant use.
Once or twice a week, add a little washing-up liquid to some warm water and sponge handles and knobs down until clean. For brass knobs and handles, use specified brass cleaner and a soft cloth. Polish stainless steel or chrome plated handles after cleaning with kitchen towel for a shiny finish.
If you find cupboard handles and door knobs have becoming very dirty, simply unscrew them and leave them to soak in warm water and a little mild soap before drying and re-attaching them. Do not use any abrasive cloths or cleaning products such as scourers or bleach, as this may damage the finish on knobs and handles.
See the range of knobs and handles from IKEA
Attach your choices to fantastic furniture : see our Kitchen furniture must-haves
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