Cabinet Handles

Cabinet Handles Buying Guide

A handle is a small object with an outsized effect on a room. Because it's repeated across every drawer and door, its shape and finish read as a pattern across the whole cabinetry run, which makes it one of the most cost-effective ways to shift a kitchen or bathroom's character without replacing the cabinets themselves.

Finishes

• Black cabinet handles bring a strong, contemporary contrast against light-toned cabinetry, and suit kitchens and bathrooms already using black tapware or door hardware
• Brushed brass handles bring warmth into a room and suit both traditional and contemporary cabinetry, aging well since the brushed finish resists showing fingerprints and wear as visibly as a polished one
• White cabinet handles give a quieter, more minimal look, often chosen to blend into the cabinetry rather than stand apart from it
• Antique style handles suit vintage and heritage-inspired interiors, where an aged or textured finish reinforces a period character rather than a contemporary one

For durability in high-use areas, stainless steel and chrome handles offer a polished, wipe-clean surface suited to kitchens, while solid brass handles bring a heavier, more substantial feel that tends to be associated with a more traditional design direction. Gunmetal grey sits between matte black and brushed nickel in tone, and suits contemporary spaces wanting a dark finish with slightly more warmth than pure black.

Shapes

Handle shape has a direct effect on how a run of cabinetry reads visually, since the same shape repeats across every door and drawer in the room.

• D shape handles are a versatile, mid-point shape that works in both modern and traditional kitchens 
• Round shaped handles soften the visual weight of square, angular cabinetry
• Arc shaped handles bring a subtle curve that suits a sleeker, more contemporary kitchen
• Square shaped handles reinforce a bold, geometric cabinetry style rather than softening it
• Half moon (eclipse) handles give a distinctive, contemporary silhouette that stands apart from more common bar-style handles
• Bow shaped handles use a graceful curve that suits a broad range of décor styles without competing with them
• Lip pull handles which recess into the top edge of a drawer front, suit bathrooms and kitchens after a minimal, handle-free look
• Cup pull handles bring a more classic, traditional character, and are a common choice on Hamptons and heritage-style cabinetry

Different handles for different uses

Cabinet pull handles are sized and shaped for everyday grip on standard drawers and cupboard doors. Appliance pull handles are built longer and more substantial, suited to larger integrated appliances such as fridges and dishwashers, where a standard cabinet handle wouldn't provide enough leverage or visual proportion. Wardrobe handles are worth choosing in the same finish and shape family as the kitchen or bathroom handles, so the hardware reads as a considered, whole-of-home decision rather than a room-by-room afterthought.

The Castella range and Momo's cabinet handle collection both offer handle designs suited to bathroom vanities specifically, where proportions and finish need to align with the vanity's own hardware and tapware.

Where should cabinet handles be placed?

Handles are generally fitted on the opposite side of the door from its hinges, positioned roughly 25-100mm in from the edge of the door. On drawers, handles are typically centred along the top edge, though larger or double drawers sometimes use two handles spaced evenly across the width for a more balanced, symmetrical look.

What size cabinet handles do I need?

Handle size ultimately comes down to personal preference, though a useful general guideline is to choose a handle around one-third the width of the cabinet door or drawer it's fitted to. For example, a 600mm wide drawer typically suits a handle around 200mm in length. Beyond proportion, the handle should be comfortable to grip and pull with the whole hand, not just the fingertips.

Are all cabinet handles the same size?

No. Handle length varies considerably by style, but the screw hole spacing, the "centre-to-centre" measurement between the two fixing holes, is more standardised, with 96mm and 128mm being the most common spacings used across Australian cabinetry hardware. Handles built to these standard spacings will generally suit most existing cabinet drilling without needing new holes.

How do I measure cabinet handles?

Handles are measured "hole to hole," meaning the distance between the two screw holes used to fix the handle to the door or drawer, rather than the total visible length of the handle itself. A handle listed at 96mm, for example, refers to that screw hole spacing; the handle's overall length may be slightly longer than the stated measurement. This distinction matters most when replacing existing handles, since the new handle's hole spacing needs to match the existing drilled holes in the cabinetry. When fitting handles for the first time, this is less critical, since new holes can be drilled to suit whichever handle is chosen.

How do I choose the right cabinet handles?

Sizing a handle well comes down to balancing proportion with day-to-day use. The one-third guideline (roughly 200mm for a 600mm drawer) is a reliable starting point, but the overall design direction of the room matters too. Some renovations use one consistent handle size throughout for a uniform look, while others vary handle length to suit different drawer and door widths, giving each piece its own sense of proportion. Neither approach is more correct than the other; the decision comes down to whether a uniform or a more considered, size-matched look suits the room.

Completing the room

Cabinet handles are easiest to choose once the cabinetry finish and surrounding hardware are settled, since the handle's finish is one of the more visible details tying a kitchen, bathroom or wardrobe together. Matching handle finish to nearby tapware and door hardware keeps the overall look cohesive, rather than treating handles as an afterthought once the cabinetry itself has already been installed.