Which Size Kitchen Handles do You Prefer to Use?

The selection of kitchen handles is one of the minor details, which can change the look and functionality of your kitchen greatly. Whereas the most consideration has always been given to style and finish, the handle size is also of equal importance. Too tiny handles may appear insignificant and too large may overpower cabinets or create disproportion in the whole space.

This manual provides the information on how to select the right size of the kitchen handle to your cabinets and drawers, and this is done with practical advice specific to Australian houses and renovating benchmarks.

The Importance of Kitchen Handle Size.

Kitchen Handles are utilized in more than one occasion daily. The correct size offers convenience, comfort and simplicity, as well as improves the aesthetic proportions of your cabinetry. Handle size affects:

• Ergonomics and grip comfort
• Balance and unity in the design.
• Practicability, i.e. sizes of cabinets and drawers.
• All in one kitchen operations.

Choosing the right size will guarantee that your kitchen will be slick and will work in years to come.

Learning to measure Kitchen Handles.

The centre-to-centre (CTC) distance is usually used to measure the kitchen handles. This is the gap in centres of the two holes on the screw of the handle. In Australia, the usual sizes of handles were calculated in millimetres.

Popular CTC sizes include:

• 96mm
• 128mm
• 160mm
• 192mm
• 224mm
• 256mm
• 320mm

As opposed to CTC, knobs are typically measured in terms of diameter or width.

Suggested Handle sizes in Kitchen Cabinets.

Standard Cabinet Doors

The most widely used handle sizes in the Australian kitchen are the following in standard-sized cabinet doors:

• 128mm CTC – This is the most common and flexible alternative.
• 160mm CTC – Suits the modular and contemporary kitchens.

Such sizes are appropriate to most overhead and base cabinets and are neither too small nor too massive.

Hint: On average, the handle length must be one third of the cabinet door height to achieve the optimum visual proportion.

High Pantry and Appliances Cabinets.

The tall cabinets e.g. the pantries or the built-in fridge doors have the advantage of longer handles that are more proportional and user friendly.

Recommended sizes include:

• 224mm to 320mm CTC
• Vertical orientation to a streamlined, modern appearance.

Taller handles allow taller doors to open with ease and the cabinetry looks longer, which is especially successful with modern Australian kitchens.

The Right Size of Kitchen Drawers.

Handles of drawers must be given more attention because drawers differ widely in width and usually carry more weight.

• Small Drawers (Cutlery and Utility Drawers)
• 96mm or 128mm CTC

Small and efficient without being overwhelming to the drawer front.

Medium Drawers

• 160mm to 192mm CTC
• Cosmogonic proportions and easy handle.

Wide or Heavy Drawers

In the case of pot drawers, pantry drawers, or wide storage devices:

• 224mm to 320mm CTC
• Further length handles give more leverage and less strain.

Pro hint: According to the suggestions of numerous designers, the handle should be chosen with the longest length that fits well on a drawer to enhance its looks and functionality.

Knobs vs Handles: Size Advocacies.

Although handles are the most favoured among the contemporary Australian kitchens, knobs are still prevalent in the traditional or transitional designs.

• Knobs can be used on small cabinet doors and on drawers that are lightweight.
• Normal knob diameters have a range of 25mm to 40mm.
• Large and heavy drawers are not supposed to have knobs because of the lack of grip.

There are kitchens that have been able to combine both knobs on overhead cabinets and handles on drawers, both in terms of style and functionality.

Fashion, Ratio, and Design of the Kitchen.

The size of handles mustbe in line with the general design of the kitchen.

• Streamlined and lengthy handles are an advantage of modern and minimalist kitchens.
• Shaker and classic kitchens are inclusive of medium sized handles or elegant knobs.
• The industrial kitchens frequently employ heavy, catchy handles.

Your handles must be of size that corresponds to:

• Cabinet thickness
• Door profile
• Scale and ceiling height of the kitchen.

Big kitchens might be able to attract oversized handles but small space flats might be overwhelmed.

Practical advice to Australian Homes.

The following should be considered when selecting the size of the kitchen handles in Australia:

• Construction specification: The majority of Australian cabinetry is constructed with standard drilling patterns, with the common CTC sizes readily available and therefore replacement.
• Accessibility: Larger handles are more gripper, particularly in the case of households of children or elderly family members.
• Consistency: The kitchen should be installed with the same CTC size, which would make it easy to install and make updates.

It is also prudent to enquire whether your supplier of doors pre-drills them because this may restrict size flexibility.

Before final installation, testing is done.

Prior to selection of a handle size:

• Where feasible order sample handles.
• Place them temporarily on cabinets with the help of a tape.
• Check open drawers and doors to determine comfort and appearance.

This measure will ensure that the handles will be fine in day-to-day use and any errors that might be made are avoided at an expensive cost.

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Final Thoughts

With the proportions of the cabinets, the type of the kitchen to choose and its daily functionality, you will be sure to have chosen the kitchen handles that promote the appearance and functionality of your living space.

Selecting a proper size of a kitchen handle is a minor matter that can give a large results, a matter that gives a warm, harmony and professional touch to the kitchen of your house.