Choosing the Right
Cabinet Handle
The right handle is about more than appearance. Style, shape, size, proportion, finish and feel all work together — and getting the balance right is what makes hardware feel considered, rather than added on at the end.
Start with your cabinetry style.
Before choosing a specific handle, identify the overall look of your kitchen or joinery. The right hardware should feel like an extension of the cabinetry, not a decoration placed on top of it.
Modern & Minimal
Clean lines, simple profiles and minimal visual detail. Understated hardware keeps the cabinetry looking calm and considered.
Contemporary
A mix of clean cabinetry with more distinctive hardware. Texture or defined geometry can add interest without overwhelming.
Classic & Traditional
Warmer finishes and more substantial profiles can add depth, character and a sense of permanence.
Statement / Architectural
Larger proportions or sculptural profiles, where the hardware becomes part of the design itself.
The handle should complement the cabinetry, not compete with it.
Whichever direction you lean, the strongest results come from hardware that reads as part of a considered whole — not a separate decision made after the cabinetry is finished.
Choose the right handle shape.
Shape is one of the quickest ways to change the character of cabinetry. Start with the profile you are naturally drawn to, then consider its size, finish and relationship with the rest of the room.
Plain
Clean and understated profiles for a simple, versatile look that lets the cabinetry lead.
Facet
Defined geometry for cabinetry that benefits from a stronger architectural detail.
Knurled
Textured surfaces that add tactile detail and visual interest to contemporary cabinetry.
Linear
Longer, clean-lined proportions for a contemporary and understated architectural look.
Choose the right size.
Handle size is measured by hole centre — the distance between the centres of the two mounting holes. Common sizes include 96mm, 128mm, 160mm, 192mm and 224mm.
New cabinetry?
Start with the proportions of the drawer or door, then choose a hole centre that feels balanced with the cabinetry and the surrounding hardware.
Explore the Size Guide →Replacing existing handles?
Measure the distance between the centres of the existing mounting holes before choosing your new handle. Matching the hole centre helps avoid unnecessary drilling or filling.
How to Measure →Think about proportion.
There isn't one universal “correct” handle size. The right choice depends on the width of the drawer, the height of the door, the scale of the cabinetry, surrounding handles and the visual weight you want the hardware to carry.
Consider how the handle feels in your hand.
It's easy to choose hardware on appearance alone — but how a handle feels is just as important, and it is often the detail that gets overlooked.
Projection
How far the handle sits away from the cabinet and how much room it gives your hand.
Profile
Round, square, flat or curved — the cross-section changes both appearance and feel.
Grip
Think about how naturally the hand wraps around the handle and how it feels during everyday use.
Weight
Solid brass has a substantial feel in the hand that contributes to the overall experience of the hardware.
Choose your finish.
Finish can completely change the character of a handle and the way it sits within a room. Consider the warmth or coolness of the finish, the contrast against your cabinetry, and how it relates to tapware, appliances, lighting and other metal details.
Brushed Brass
Warm and refined with a soft brushed appearance. A versatile choice for timber, white, cream, green, navy and darker cabinetry.
Matt Black
Clean, bold and architectural. Creates strong definition against lighter cabinetry and a subtle tonal look with darker finishes.
Antique Brass
Deeper and warmer in character, with an aged appearance that works naturally with timber, traditional and richly layered interiors.
Brushed Nickel
Soft, neutral and understated. An easy companion to stainless appliances, cool neutrals, white cabinetry and contemporary interiors.
Gunmetal
Dark and sophisticated without the sharp contrast of black. Particularly effective with timber, stone, charcoal and modern cabinetry.
Look beyond the handle on its own.
A finish can look very different depending on the cabinetry, benchtop, lighting and surrounding metals. Rather than trying to match every finish exactly, aim for a palette that feels intentional and balanced across the room.
A note about finish and ageing: the appearance of cabinet hardware can evolve with handling, use and environmental conditions. The extent and character of this change depends on the material and finish. Refer to the product care information for the finish you select.
Explore the Cabinet Handle Finish Guide →Think about the whole room.
Handles don't exist in isolation. Consider how the hardware relates to the major finishes and materials throughout the space.
Not everything needs to match.
Your hardware doesn't need to match every metal in the room. Instead, consider how the different finishes work together as part of an overall material and colour palette.
Mixing handles and knobs.
You don't need to use one hardware format throughout the kitchen. Different combinations can create subtle hierarchy while keeping the overall hardware language consistent.
Consider placement.
Getting placement right is what makes hardware feel intentional. Think about alignment, orientation and how the handles relate to the proportions of the cabinetry.
Orientation
Consider horizontal or vertical placement based on the cabinet form and the way it is used.
Alignment
Keep repeated handles visually aligned so the hardware reads as one considered system.
Scale
Large drawers and tall cabinetry may call for different proportions from smaller doors and drawers.
A simple way to choose.
Not sure where to start? Work through these five steps.
Choose your style
Consider the overall character of the cabinetry and room.
Choose your shape
Plain, Facet, Knurled or Linear.
Choose your size
Consider cabinet proportions and hole centres.
Choose your finish
Choose from Brushed Brass, Matt Black, Antique Brass, Brushed Nickel or Gunmetal.
Check the whole look
Step back and consider cabinetry, materials and surrounding finishes together.
Still deciding?
If you already know the style you like but are unsure about size, finish or installation, our other guides can help you narrow it down.
What handle size should I choose?
Start with the proportions of the drawer or door rather than choosing a size from the handle alone. If you are replacing existing handles, measure the existing hole centre first.
Do all my handles need to be the same size?
Not necessarily. Different cabinet sizes and functions can suit different proportions, provided the overall hardware arrangement feels consistent.
Do my cabinet handles need to match my tapware?
Not necessarily. Consider the finishes together as part of the overall room rather than treating every metal as something that must match exactly.