Classification of furniture handles for cabinets, selection criteria

One of the important auxiliary elements of furniture are furniture handles for cabinets, which give not only an attractive appearance, but also increase its functionality during operation. The technology for the production of furniture accessories is constantly evolving, responding to modern trends; products are made of high quality, reliable and easy to use.

The taste and color of a friend is different!

And indeed it is! After all, everyone strives to give their home furniture individuality and unique style. And pens are one of the few decorative items that help make even your wildest dreams come true. And to make the selection of products easy and pleasant, manufacturers divided the products not only into different groups, but also gave the product an appearance characteristic of a certain style (era). Handles made in loft, modern, classic and empire styles are widely represented in the collections of famous brands.

Popular models: types and versions

Modern pens are made from plastic, wood, metal, brass, porcelain, nickel, bronze and other materials. An unlimited choice of color and design solutions satisfies the needs of the most demanding consumers.

Any of them is a real masterpiece that requires separate study. But the most popular options deserve special attention, including the familiar pens:

• staples. Products made in the form of a bar or arc. The doors are attached to the working surface using hardware threaded into symmetrically located holes. The large opening allows you to easily insert your hand and quickly open doors of any size;
• roof rails A modern version of staples. They have the shape of a pipe, strip or spindle-shaped arc, which occupies 1/3-5/6 of the door width;
• built-in - metal profile built into the facade surface. They can be hidden (integrated along the milled end and mortise - a popular option in high-tech and minimalist styles;
• buttons. Considered classic. Externally they resemble a button. They differ from others in the variety of options: ellipse, square, flower, pin, snowflake, drop, leaf - just a few of them. Versatile, look harmonious in any interior;
• rings. Durable fasteners cast from steel, bronze and copper have been used since ancient times. Products that are convenient for everyday use also serve as decorative finishing. The use of zinc and aluminum alloys minimized their weight and provided additional strength;
• drops are the optimal choice for decorating furniture designed in Gothic, Renaissance and Victorian classic styles. The moving part of the handle is made in the form of a brush or drop and is attached to a base equipped with a roller tip;
• shells. They look like an inverted hemisphere. Used in Mediterranean interiors. Often found in rooms decorated in shabby chic and Provence style;
• porcelain. As the name suggests, the materials used for manufacturing are porcelain and metal (acts as a base). They have a large number of design options. Installed on decorative items that are rarely used.

Now let's talk about the features of each of them in more detail.

Handles

Universal products are presented in a wide range of products. They are installed on the doors of cabinets and cabinets, drawers of tables, kitchen units. staples are chosen for durability, reliability and practicality. They do not require special care and retain their aesthetic appearance for many years. A large number of design variations allows you to choose handles for any design. Barrels and medallions with floral patterns and enamel trim look beautiful on stained glass furniture. For classic ones, forged and carved options are suitable.

Railings

Unlike other staples, this subtype of product is completely straight. It is connected to the work surface using fastening legs. Horizontal and vertical mounting to a plane is possible. Long handles are suitable for voluminous (large) pieces of furniture, and original design options are suitable for custom-made furniture. The product range includes models of various shapes and sizes. It is possible to produce options with trim from precious stones or rhinestones. Convenient for kitchen drawers, chests of drawers, drawer systems.

Integrated

Invisible to prying eyes, mortise handles are an excellent option for creating an aesthetic furniture façade. They do not extend beyond the furniture. often used in wardrobes, hinged doors and other interior items located in narrow passages. Rectangular, round and oval models are mounted in pre-prepared holes and secured with bolts.

When choosing, it is recommended to take into account the characteristics of the furniture and the interaxial location of the fasteners with which the product is installed on the facade.

Knobs-buttons

The optimal choice for light furniture structures. They are characterized by minimal weight, compact dimensions and ease of installation. It is attached to the working base using 1 bolt. A universal multifunctional budget option. Installed on cabinets, interior doors, drawers. The only drawback of wooden, plastic and metal handles is sensitivity to sudden and strong movements.

Handles in the form of rings

Sold complete with a special decorative base, which is used for installation. The antique finish gives the product an aristocratic look. Installed on furniture facades made in a classic style. require careful use, otherwise they may damage the work surface. Strong, durable models are made from alloys of various metals.

Drop-shaped version

Like rings, they have a decorative base. The original shape perfectly complements any interior. Despite being decorative, they are reliable and durable. In everyday life they require careful use. Otherwise, the moving structural element may fall off. When hitting the façade, its surface may be damaged.

Magic shells

Overlays easily uniqueize any design. Convenient to use. Installed on interior items in various parts of the house. The ergonomic shape and well-chosen material reduce the need for maintenance to a minimum.

Porcelain handles

As a real masterpiece of art they are used in a classic interior. The metal base and corresponding edging give the product additional strength. Quite expensive. Mounted on the facades of furniture that is rarely used. Gives aesthetics and completeness to the interior.

Of course, the final choice of the optimal option is yours, but professional consultation with a specialist will greatly facilitate it, make it pleasant and easy.

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Varieties

An important piece of furniture, thanks to its diversity, gives a certain character to the object. Thanks to the development of modern technologies, furniture handles are being improved, acquiring new shapes and sizes. Today, on the market, the main accessory of any cabinet facade is presented in different colors, textures, styles, and processing technologies.

A useful detail, as a component of complementing wardrobe doors and cabinets, combines practicality and unique design, they have both strict lines and classic shapes. A necessary attribute of furniture of various designs, made of high-quality material, making it easier to open, it retains its original appearance for a long time. There is a wide range of handle collections on the furniture fittings market, among which the most popular are:

• handles, staples, button, drops, rings, shells;
• railing, mortise;
• made of glass, with rhinestones;
• handle profile.

Currently, furniture fittings are not limited in color and are presented in different colors, the most popular of which are gold, bronze, steel, and chrome. Natural shades and simplicity of patterns are the hallmark of modern furniture handles, which, without merging with the overall color of the furniture, emphasize its uniqueness and value.

It is important to know that the color of the fittings is selected to be a tone lighter or darker than the main color of the furniture. When choosing them, it is important to know their purpose and the location of the cabinet.

Drops

Bracket

Sinks

Buttons

Ring

It is almost impossible to imagine your life without furniture in the modern world.

Despite the surrounding diversity, there is something that unites almost all pieces of furniture - the furniture handle.
Today, furniture handles are not only an indispensable functional element of furniture, providing comfortable opening and closing of drawers and cabinets, but they can also become a bright accent that sets a unique tone not only for furniture, but also for the entire living space. The range that the market offers in the facial fittings segment has today reached an incredible scale and can satisfy almost any need. In order to choose the right furniture handles that will not only provide aesthetic pleasure, but will also be easy to use, it is important to have an idea of ​​what types of furniture handles are.

CLASSIFICATION OF FURNITURE HANDLES

So, the most common classification of furniture handles is as follows:

HANDLE-BRACKET

The most popular and traditional type of furniture handles. In appearance, the handle-brackets resemble a semicircular or U-shaped bracket, hence their name. Attachment to the surface most often occurs at two points. The style variety of staples includes smooth rounded shapes, regular geometric lines, unusual forged or carved elements, ceramic inserts, and crystals. In any case, regardless of aesthetic modifications, the handle-bracket is very practical and reliable in use. That is why handles-brackets decorate a huge number of furniture sets of various styles.

The main advantages of handle brackets include:

• Comfort and ergonomics:
  the staples seem to be designed to fit perfectly in the palm of your hand
• Versatility:
  thanks to the variety of styles and sizes, it’s easy to choose the perfect set for any furniture
• Reliability:
  due to fastening on both sides with 2 screws, they not only serve as a decorative element, but also carry a serious functional load
• Durability:
  the handles will definitely serve you for many years without requiring special care. Elegant thin products, ceramic and glass inserts will require a little more care.

HANDLES-BUTTONS

In terms of popularity of use, buttons easily compete with handle-brackets. This type of handle is a cap on a stem. As a rule, miniature products that are attached to furniture with a single screw. Most often, such handles are used on the fronts of drawers, cabinets and chests of drawers.

The main advantages of knob-buttons:

• A variety of shapes:
  pens of this type are round, square, triangular and polygonal; designers also create them in the form of various figures - animals, plants, symbols
• Simple installation:
  easy to install and dismantle in case of replacing handles (for example, it is more difficult to change handle-brackets, since the new handle must be the same size, otherwise previous manipulations will be noticeable on the facade)
• Compatibility:
  buttons often come complete with brackets, so it’s easy to decorate the interior in the same style, while placing the necessary accents

HANGING HANDLES-RINGS AND DROPS

Original representatives of fittings that are attached to a decorative base. The hanging part can be made in the form of a ring or an elongated part that expands downwards - a drop. As a rule, this type of furniture handles cannot be called fully functional; rather, they are an original decoration for furniture.

The advantages of this type of handles include:

• Originality:
  even if the handles look simple, they cannot be ignored. The unique appearance does not prevent the handles from harmoniously complementing almost any interior
• Design:
  on the one hand, this is an advantage, since hanging products will add elegance and originality to the furniture set. On the other hand, such pens must be handled carefully so as not to accidentally tear off a ring or a drop. You should also carefully pull out the drawers, as the moving element can damage the façade over time.

HANDLES-RAILINGS

They are a cylindrical crossbar with two fixing legs. Handle rails can be installed both horizontally and vertically, it all depends on your own preferences and the ergonomics of the furniture set.

The advantages of handle rails include:

• Reliability:
  most often, handle rails are heavier than traditional handle handles, making them suitable for more massive facades, and sometimes have a special protective coating
• Ergonomic and practical:
  roof rails are extremely convenient to use
• Stylish design:
  thanks to the laconic design of such fittings, it will adequately decorate furniture, especially in a modern style
• Wide range of sizes:
  these handles can be combined with furniture sets of various sizes. In addition, vertically oriented handles are a godsend for a family where both large and small people use furniture: the height of the handle does not need to be adjusted to suit everyone.

END HANDLES

They are installed on the end of the door leaf, without loading the furniture facade with additional parts. They are an excellent alternative to painted facades with integrated handles, because such facades often have a high cost.

Depending on the installation method, handle profiles are divided into:

→ Mortise - the furniture end is pre-milled and installed in a groove at the end of the facade

→ Overhead – the handle is attached to the inside of the facade using self-tapping screws, which facilitates installation and does not require any additional manipulations with the facade

And now about the advantages of end handles:

• Wide range of sizes:
  there is a perfect handle for any door length
• Minimalism:
  thanks to their “invisibility”, profile handles practically merge with the facade and keep the facades clean
• Reliability:
  integrated into the furniture fabric, the profile practically does not wear out
• Functionality:
  such handles are used in kitchens, dressing rooms, bathrooms, hallways, as well as in any minimalist style rooms

MORTASE HANDLES

Mortise handles are a special type of furniture handles with a more complex installation: installation of such handles requires preliminary milling of the surface, the shape and dimensions of which completely depend on the model of the mortise handle. After inserting the handle into the prepared groove and then securing it with screws, the handle almost completely merges with the plane of the facade.

An ideal solution for wardrobes and sliding doors where any protruding parts of the fittings need to be minimized.

Advantages of mortise handles:

• Design:
  allows mortise handles to be almost invisible, not protrude above the surface and become one with the furniture. Mortise solutions are used where conventional handles can become an obstacle to opening adjacent cabinets or sections
• Versatility:
  suitable for many pieces of furniture (cabinets, cabinets, etc.)
• Functionality:
  equally easy to use on both a hinged door and a drawer

SINK HANDLES

Overhead handles shaped like shells. They have an ergonomic shape, as if they were created for the fingers. Despite the fact that sink handles are not as widely popular as handles or buttons, they can add uniqueness to any furniture, and will look especially impressive on kitchen sets in a classic style.

The obvious advantages of sink handles include:

• Ergonomics:
  the fairly simple shape of the handles is comfortable to grip and allows you to open drawers and doors on furniture without any extra effort
• Minimal maintenance:
  the design of the furniture handle allows you to touch your hands only from the inside, which allows the outer surface of the handle to always remain clean
• Versatility:
  thanks to its simple and laconic shapes, sink handles will harmoniously complement many pieces of furniture in the living room, office, kitchen or bedroom

Mortise

Curly duralumin slats are built into the horizontal end cutouts at the top of the floor and bottom of the wall-mounted front panels of the cabinets. Insert the drawer handles into the slots in the center of the facades. In some cases, the handle needs to be moved a little closer to the top edge of the drawer panel. Make cutouts in the fronts of doors and drawers for slatted handles using a hand or machine router.

If the mortise handle has a round shape, cut out the cavity for it with a special toothed crown.

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The kitchen is a place where we spend quite a lot of time every day. That is why it should be comfortable and beautiful at the same time.

Bright Side offers a look at the main design mistakes that spoil the appearance and functionality of the kitchen.

We install cabinets with massive handles

Handles on kitchen cabinets can make it difficult to open them completely. Especially if the cabinet is corner. Therefore, sometimes it makes sense to replace the handles with smaller ones or completely abandon them.

In this situation, designs that allow you to open the box by pressing it will help. The second option is to replace the handles on the cabinets with recesses.

Choosing glossy facades for kitchen units

Glossy facades always leave fingerprints on them, even if your hands are clean. As a result, cabinet doors have to be wiped down too often. And if you have a growing baby, then the facades will need to be scrubbed even more often.

Any matte kitchen surface, of course, also requires maintenance. But hand marks on it will not be so noticeable.

We use regular shelves instead of pull-out ones

In some cases, hinged cabinets with regular shelves can be convenient. But sometimes you should replace them with pull-out shelves or drawers, as the latter can be used more efficiently.

Material

Materials for making furniture handles:

• Zamak is a lightweight, corrosion-resistant material consisting of an alloy of zinc, aluminum, and copper. It's inexpensive, it's all about manufacturing technology. Mainly used in the production of pens in China.
• Plastic is a type of polymer that provides products with reliability, variety of shapes, and lightness. Such handles for cabinets in a nursery look impressive.
• Ceramic is a reliable accessory to use, since it is based on metal, and the ceramic coating itself is used to give it an interesting shape. It is used to decorate cabinet fronts not only in classic, but also in modern design. Manufacturers: Türkiye, Italy, China.
• Wood - such a handle is not only functional, but also beautiful; it looks especially stylish if it is artificially aged. Wooden fittings are relevant for classic, rustic style.
• Metal with galvanic coating is resistant to corrosion; the higher the quality of the galvanic coating, the more durable the product. In the production of accessories, galvanization is carried out after the threads for fasteners have already been cut. This is a guarantee that over time the fastening points will not rust.

Variety of furniture panels, their advantages and main parameters

Tsamak

Plastic

Ceramics

Tree

Metal

Decoration methods

Objectively, metal fittings are the most preferable option.

For the production of handles, Zamak and Znal alloys are mainly used.

In the first case, it is a combination of copper, magnesium, aluminum and zinc. The second alloy is simpler and cheaper because it includes aluminum and zinc.

Since not everyone can afford high-quality metal fittings, and their production is expensive, companies are reducing costs. For this purpose, inexpensive alloys are used, but they are coated with sputtering. This is how bronze, copper, gold, chrome, and silver handles are obtained.

When choosing, pay attention to exactly how the coating is applied. There are 2 methods.

[adv1]

• Electroplating. This is a very thin metal film that is applied by electroplating. Extremely high quality and reliable coating. Has high wear resistance and corrosion protection;
• Regular spraying. It is made on the basis of a paint coating. Cheap, although it looks solid from the outside. This coating does not last long. Especially in the kitchen, where there is high humidity and constant temperature changes.

If finances allow, take handles based on Zamak alloy with galvanic decorative coating.

Which water heater for the kitchen is better to choose: instantaneous or storage?

• Avoid plastic. No matter how beautiful it may be, it is always of low quality and questionable service life;
• If wooden facades are used, then wooden handles are also suitable;
• Metal is rightly considered the best option. Moreover, pure metal is rarely used because it is expensive. But alloys are used everywhere.

There are also unique products made of glass, as well as ceramic models and leather handles that have interesting features.

Fittings made from high-quality materials will be more expensive, but this is due to the appropriate level of performance, long service life and practicality.

This is interesting: Assortment of furniture lamps, examples of design and placement

Form

Along with the unusual design and style of a furniture accessory, its ergonomics are of no small importance. Products should not only aesthetically match the furniture, but also be as comfortable as possible when grasped by hand, and be safe when performing an action. Their shape, size, location and method of fastening determine how easily the furniture doors will open, maintain strength and performance under the influence of long-term use.

Today, the most affordable, popular and practical accessories are bracket handles, presented in the form of curved arcs or metal strips in the shape of the letter “P”. Fitting elements of flat or semicircular shapes are an ideal addition to any cabinet, especially for fans of minimalism. Products with a simple design are as comfortable and functional as possible when used.

Button handles, which are a cup-shaped design with a flat decorative disk at the end of the product body, also do not lose their relevance. A furniture accessory of different shapes and designs suitable for both classic and modern cabinets. Simple connection to the surface makes them convenient to use, where touching the furniture facade is excluded. The handles of this collection are compact, always look stylish, and guarantee reliability and safety.

Leading companies producing furniture fittings, expanding their collections of handles, are offering a new trend in fittings: long handle ratings. Simple, strict lines, functionality, practicality, and durability of the products are ideal for the latest examples of modern furniture.

Facades with push-to-open mechanism

The third option to make a kitchen with facades without handles is to use PUSH-TO-OPEN opening mechanisms (also called “pushers”). The best quality mechanisms, in our opinion, are produced by Blum (Austria). We use them in the production of our kitchens.

To make it easier for you to understand how it looks and works, watch our short video demonstrating a facade with push-to-open opening:

There are two types of opening mechanisms:

• invoices
• mortise

There is no difference in price and quality, it’s more a question of aesthetics (as you like) and the complexity of installation: the invoice just needs to be screwed to the inner wall of the box with self-tapping screws, and for a mortise one you need to make a hole in the end of the box with a diameter of 10mm.

Thus, we take the fronts, put a push-to-open mechanism on the cabinet body and get furniture with fronts without handles! It is advisable to use facades with a soft-touch coating to reduce fingerprint marks.

Installation Features

To ensure the safety, security and longevity of your cabinet, it is important to install the hardware correctly. Necessary materials:

• construction meter;
• square;
• marker;
• screwdriver or screwdriver.

The handle needs to be attached to the front part of the facade. Marking and installation algorithm:

• Mark the place where the part will be attached.
• Draw a straight line so that it is parallel to the place where the fittings will be located.
• Draw a straight line perpendicular to the previous one.
• From the point of intersection of the two lines, measure the center distance.
• Drill a hole for the handles, please note that you need to drill carefully, slowly, only with a sharp drill. Otherwise, you can damage the door facade (tear out particles of the laminate).
• Insert the screws into the hole, insert the handle and screw it on.

This method of marking and installation is suitable for any front fittings, excluding handles, brackets and profiles; they must be fixed with a self-tapping screw on the outside of the furniture.

How to assemble wardrobe doors yourself

While the procedure for installing the internal contents of a wardrobe most often does not raise questions, the procedure for assembling sliding doors requires some explanation. The article discusses the question of how to assemble wardrobe doors yourself.

Marking and preparation

We have in stock a ready-made laminated chipboard sheet with a thickness of 10 mm, a lower profile, an upper profile and two handle profiles.

In order not to make a mistake in size, it is best to carry out the markings after the fact. To do this, we place the door leaf on the end, and on top, placing a profile-handle, we begin, without tapping too much, to stuff it onto the door. We do the same with the second handle. Now we have the handles stuffed on both sides and it’s easy to take a measurement that will determine the length of the upper and lower profile.

Determine the length of the upper and lower profiles.

We cut these parts according to the obtained dimensions. The side profiles now need to be removed. Instead, we put the upper and lower elements on the canvas.

We measure the length of the side ones, taking into account the installed upper and lower profiles.

Cut the handles to the required size. Now all profiles have the required dimensions.

We prepare mounting holes on the side profiles. They are necessary for the mounting screws that will hold the entire structure together.

One hole is drilled in the upper part at a distance of 7-8 mm from the edge. The fasteners will pass through it into the upper profile. You need to drill two holes at the bottom. One for assembly, distance from edge 42 mm. The lower profile will be attached to it. Second, the same as at the top from the edge by 7-8 mm. Later we use it to fix the lower rollers.

The holes are made of different diameters. First, we drill through both profile flanges with a drill with a smaller diameter (according to the diameter of the Euroscrew body).

Then we drill out the top shelf so that the passage is larger in caliber (according to the diameter of the Euroscrew head).

The head of the mounting screw should go through the top hole and rest against the shelf at the bottom.

After completing these operations, all our parts are completely ready for assembling the wardrobe door.

Assembling wardrobe doors

We again install the canvas on the edge and stuff the handle onto it. Then we do the same on the other side. We put on the top profile. We begin to tighten the fastening screw using a hex key.

Fastening the top and side profiles of sliding wardrobe doors.

Criterias of choice

When choosing furniture handles for cabinets, you need to consider the following criteria:

• Convenience. It’s a pleasure to handle the part and it’s comfortable to open any doors. Thanks to its optimal size, the product fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and does not cut with sharp corners.
• Style. The cabinet handle should complement the overall design of the room. In combination with furniture, fittings make the design complete.
• Price. The more famous the brand, the more expensive the products are, but the quality of the fittings is also higher.
• Practicality. The parts are made of high-quality and environmentally friendly material and do not deform during operation. You should choose models that are easy to clean.

Every year, the accessories market is replenished with products of the most intricate shapes and style solutions. Furniture without clamps, fasteners, handles and other fittings cannot exist. Thanks to these products, you can create stylish, modern interior items.

Convenience

Style

Price

Practicality

Important recommendations for selection

In most cases, installation of fittings for kitchen and other furniture is done with your own hands.

But before you begin installation, you need to choose the right handles. And for this you should use several recommendations.

Convenience comes first. Indeed, when leafing through the catalog of different stores, always ask for a visual sample at the same time. You need to look at it, touch it. Convenience is the main selection criterion, and it is necessary to build on it. If you experience even the slightest discomfort when using the pen, then it is better to immediately abandon this option and look at others. Keep in mind that you will be using these pens many times a day.

External combination with interior. Buy not just beautiful white or black handles, but those that will match the furniture and match the style of the interior of the room.

If these are railing handles, make sure your palm fits completely into it. Otherwise, it will not be possible to guarantee a strong and comfortable grip.

Even when it is not possible to check the compatibility of the handle in the store, just find out the center-to-center distance of the fittings, and also take measurements of the width of the hand. By comparing these values, you can easily determine whether a particular railing handle is suitable for you.

Safety. It is logical to choose the safest products possible. Categorically avoid using small parts and sharp elements. After all, a part that accidentally falls off may end up in the mouth of a child or pet. We came up with a very interesting solution for modern kitchens and rooms. These are hidden fittings that remain invisible during installation, but at the same time they allow you to conveniently open and close doors, cabinets and drawers.

For a unified composition, choose fittings in the same style and the same sizes.

Everything here is very clear.

When choosing a material for handles, make sure it is compatible with other metal surfaces. If you have chrome, get chrome hardware. If there are bronze elements, then the handle should be bronze, or at least imitate this material.

How to install doors on the headset body yourself ↑

The appearance of the modules and the ease of their operation depend on the correct installation of the doors for the kitchen unit. If mistakes are made during installation, then even the most beautiful facades will look untidy, and the impression of the furniture will be hopelessly spoiled.

Advice. Learning how to hang hinged doors on cabinets is useful, but the ideal option is to entrust the assembly of the set to professional craftsmen. If you are not confident in your abilities, do not take the job.

Professional kitchen assembly Hinge design Hinge installation Door installation

Advice. Usually, there are no problems with installing kitchen doors, but there are some nuances. For example, to hang narrow doors it is better to use a short screwdriver. If there are more than two loops, it is more difficult to install the facades, but this task can be completed, especially if you have an assistant.

Hanging a facade on hinges
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