Who says you have to use knobs at all? I'm planning only pulls in my upcoming reno. But if you like knobs go with it. Wherever the heck you feel like it! I also like many different things which has a good (I know I can be happy with many different things) and a bad (making a final choice can be hard!).

To knob or to pull, that is the question ...

Look at 5000 kitchen photos (also my strategy!) and go with what you love!

For reasons of practicality pulls on the lower cabs and for looks knobs on the uppers. My pulls are rounded, so no chance of snagging.

HTH, Petra

Here is a link that might be useful: White kitchen in Southern Spain

We just went through this this weekend. We decided on knobs on uppers and pulls on lowers. Really though, I think this is a personal choice, what works for you works for your kitchen.

BUT, I recommend that you actually go to a hardware store of some sort where you can actually see and feel the goods. It's amazing how different some hardware feels than others. Our first clue to this was when were were looking at cabinets at HD. Like everyone, we were pulling all the doors open to look inside. As I was pulling open one unremarkable cabinet door, I thought, "Wow, this pull feels really right in my hand!" It was an arch pull just the right length to be comfortable for my fingers, the right amount of arch so I wasn't skinning my knuckles on the door, and smooth to the touch on the back. You can't tell that stuff from looking at a picture.

I found some knobs (can knobs be square by definition?) that I loved, not that I would fill the kitchen cabinets with them. They were square-ish with sage and rosemary and such on the front in lovely muted green and pale yellow. Loved the look. Unfortunately, when you actually pull on them you discover that the piece is made like a box lid with a cavity on the back side. Not a great feel. Who would know from a picture? Some of the arch ones we saw also had cavities on the back, which I really don't like.

Seeing the goods in person is much to be recommended unless you live where out in the bush somewhere, in which case order samples first.

I don't think that there are specific rules...I spent hours looking at different kitchens. However, I think that whatever you do needs to be consistant in your kitchen. I chose knobs on drawers and pulls on doors My upper cabinets are 48 inches so I am using 5 3/4 inch pulls...smaller pulls seemed too small.

Suzanne has some great points. Make sure you like the feel of the specific knobs and pulls you choose. Some knobs have a smooth back which are easier to grab than the ones that have a ridged back and are tighter to the cabinet. We did pulls on lowers (all drawers) and knobs on top plus the lower cabinets (sink and the back of the island). Hope that helps.

Sometimes no rules makes things harder, doesn't it?

I think it's whatever you think feels right for you. We are using knobs on doors and pulls on drawers (except the trash pullout door will get a pull, and maybe a very tall cabinet door might get a pull). DH wanted knobs on the doors, and it made sense budget wise for us, so that's what we bought.

I have a friend whose small kitchen has many different size and depths of drawers and doors. She used pulls and knobs on both drawers and doors on both upper and lower cabinets, whatever she felt was right for the particular item. Her kitchen is beautiful, and you sure don't notice that the hardware choices are not consistent.

I love Gardenweb! I open up the kitchen forum, and someone else is working on finding knobs and pulls too.

Another thing I have found in my shopping so far is that it is hard to tell the size from the computer screen. It is so subtle, but some just seem/feel too big in person. I don't want to hijack this thread but I may try to start one with photos of some of my choices.

'I thought, "Wow, this pull feels really right in my hand!" It was an arch pull just the right length to be comfortable for my fingers, the right amount of arch so I wasn't skinning my knuckles on the door, and smooth to the touch on the back. You can't tell that stuff from looking at a picture.'

the 'feel' is important - don't forget the comfort in use. you'll be using those pulls/ knobs every day - a zillion times.

because of my hands I'm going with very wide pulls - with a deep projection (the 'arch'). a 1.25" projection is about the smallest I want to use. As others have found, getting your fingers in that pull is important - w/o smushing them between the drawer front and the backs of the pull. Will your 'getting larger every day' son or your dh ever need to open a drawer or cabinet door? Their hands need to fit also!
Many stores have their pulls on a board - try using it like you'd be pulling open a drawer. Can your fingers easily grasp the pull? the knob? I find knobs harder on my fingers (gripping them).

The other thing I looked for (besides price) was detail - the more detail, the more places for bits of food, dust and gunk to lodge. That includes more work for me in cleaning them. I don't want more work...

ease of use, ease in cleaning

most detail online will give the 'projection' for the pull.

THANKS everyone. This is JUST what I needed!!

I went will most pulls but did knobs on the cabs on top of our fridge and freezer and on the top part of our tall cabs. If I had regular height uppers anywhere, I'd have done pulls.
I think the knobs will help our sons as they get taller when it is just within reach. I like the look of the pulls better though.... I guess I could change them to be pulls when they are taller than I am, lol.
It is a personal choice and it boils down to what appeals to you more.

I went to Lee Valley and chose all sorts of pulls and knobs and just tried them one by one. My cabinets are painted BM Cloud White and when I held up the flat black round knob with a bead around the edge, in my mind I saw black buttons on a crisp white shirt and it gave my cabinets sort of a tailored look. I knew right away it was the look I was going for. I think when its right you just know it. Good Luck with the search.

We are putting pulls on everything. The smaller drawers get smaller ones and the bigger drawers (and pantry) get big ones. The cabinets all get the same size one.

I'm not really a knob person.

Do what you like!

Absolutely get a sample and see how it feels in your hand. I found some nice pulls I wanted to use, so ordered a sample. To my dismay, they did not stand far enough off the surface, and your fingers rubbed on the cabinet when grabbing the pull. We ended up using something else instead that was more functional, and in the long run, I know it was the right decision.

With the knobs, I found I liked the ones with some material around the base, so when grabbing them, my fingers were not rubbing on the cabinet. If you use any knobs, you may want to check that also.

There are many online sources for pulls. You can also go to the home improvement/hardware stores and check them out in person. The more exposure you get, the better decision you will make.

I'm not a knob person so I'm planning pulls on everything, except the dish hutch upper where I'd like to find some vintage crystal knobs. My DB and SIL have an all-pull kitchen with each pull placed horizontally, even on doors. I'm surprised how easily I adjust to using them when I visit. Plus, it looks cool.

I thought I was a knob AND pull person, until the Lowes sales person suggested all pulls. I went with it, and love it! We put two pull handles on the 33 and 36 inch drawer fronts. All else has one pull. Very clean looking. As others have said, "Whatever you like" is right. Good luck!
:)