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The Draw of Bar Pulls
Forget bulbous knobs and gawky gewgaws. Bar pulls draw your modern cabinet and drawer storage away from the straight and narrow
We are the mother and daughter behind the blog Design Chic (www.mydesignchic.com).
We are the mother and daughter behind the blog Design Chic (www.mydesignchic.com).... More »
When it comes to designing a kitchen, bath or any other space in your home with cabinets, choosing the right knobs or handles is paramount. The options are seemingly endless, but for a fresh, modern twist, even in a very traditional space, bar pulls are always a terrific bet.
Vertical or horizontal, black or stainless, large or small — once you've decided to use bar pulls, so many decisions still remain. This advice will help.
Vertical or horizontal, black or stainless, large or small — once you've decided to use bar pulls, so many decisions still remain. This advice will help.
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It's important to make sure your bar pulls coordinate with the handles on your appliances. Not only should the colors look good together, but the shapes have to be complementary. Drastically different shapes can give the kitchen a cluttered feel, likely the opposite of what you are trying to achieve.
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While some opt solely for functionality, others like to make a statement. Especially in an ultramodern space, an oversized handle that takes up almost the entire drawer or cabinet can add loads of personality.
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Choosing the right length is key. Too small and they get lost in the cabinet. Too large, you run the risk of hardware overload. We suggest marking the cabinet with a piece of painter's tape in the size you are considering and living with it for a few days. And, of course, do just a few cabinets or drawers first to make sure the size is right before committing to the entire room.
Once you've chosen a pull, you'll have to decide whether to mount it vertically or horizontally. Typically, drawer pulls are mounted horizontally while cabinet pulls are vertical, but that trend is changing. Horizontal pulls are being used more and more on cabinets, adding a touch of the unexpected.
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| The majority of bar pulls are stainless, but polished brass pull can be beautiful, especially in a more traditional kitchen. And since every room needs a touch of black, you could try a bar pull in black or even bronze. |
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While sticking with bar pulls throughout the kitchen is fine, it's also great to mix it up. A beautiful knob or cup handle can add diversity and interest.
Don't limit yourself to the kitchen: Bar pulls make a statement anywhere in the house that a stylish handle is needed. On hallway built-ins, playroom toy boxes or office file cabinets, they add a chic twist instead of simply blending in.
by Gast Architects
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A touch of stainless in a bathroom makes it look so clean. While crystal knobs are a great choice for making a bathroom light, airy and crisp, bar pulls add a feeling of sleek masculinity that's perfect for a master bath.
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Comments
Denise Vilim I love stainless handle pulls! When we remodeled our kitchen last year we used handles like ones in the first and second photos on all the cabinet and drawer fronts. We went vertical on the side-opening doors and horizontal on the drawers and upward-opening doors. I don't have pics yet because I still haven't finished the last step of staining all of the little strips around the doors...soon though.
15 months ago · Like
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Jean Corey Bar pulls look cute and useful, but they take up so much space. We have had large cabinet knobs before and they stick out so much that people and other things are constantly banging into them. I felt like I was always bending over them so they didn't dig into me. Sometimes they catch clothing and other things. I have had clothing torn by large pulls when I have been busy and moving fast. Large pulls on the higher cabinets hit the other cabinets hard when opened. When we had those large pulls I was always grateful in the end to get rid of them.
15 months ago · Like
zaroda just a word of experience, if you are short, do not get a drawer pull that has a protruding piece or it will catch on the pockets of your pants or robe....
15 months ago · Like
piggie advise on making door pulls out of river rocks?
15 months ago · Like
diane509 I'm going crazy on this. Building a house. Hickory shaker cabinets all SS appliances with round handle range oven/wall oven, warming drawer, dish drawers, fridge and SS faucets in sink and bar sink. Was thinking brushed nickel or SS pulls for cabinets and drawers as well...BUT I do have the rest of the house in OIL RUB BRONZE, knotty alder doors, hickory floors and ceiling ...... and what to do on the knobs/pulls for the bath, laundry ??? Yikes.. hard decision.
5 months ago · Like
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Ideabook updated on Feb. 19, 2012.
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