I'd try the vertical pantry handles higher than the photo, centered with the lower inset portion of the door, just like the horizontal ones are centered with the insert. Try it with painters tape first to see if that is a good height and you like the placement.

Looking at the photo with both ideas, I would find halfway between and install there. I like lining up the bottom of the handle with the start of the inset of the cabinet panel. From what I see, it would be a skotch up from the lower one and a skotch down from the higher one. I don’t like them higher than that on a Shaker type door.

I like the one on the left better. And I’m cringing at tape on new cabinet doors.

@Muriel Thompson - I did too. 😂

This is where we placed our handles. We have been very happy with them.

beachKate - yes, your handles are lower on the panel which is balanced because the drawer handles are in the middle. There's better spacing.

RedRyder - I agree. I did TAPE (LOL) the handles a bit high in left one and the right one shows it shower via shadow. Will have handyman measure distance from inset edges and go with that to where it's balanced with less congestion between it and the drawer handle.

Cabinets are Ikea Axstad which is a Foil - but yea I took the tape off :) Handyman called last night after not being available for months saying "I can be there in the morning" and I freaked the heck out. Grabbed tape LOL I love these pantries!

I built some uppers and as expected the Ikea 15" depth is really bothering me. Discussed cutting them down. Gonna put up a rail and loose hang them for a bit to see if I can deal. They will be QUITE high to try to eliminate stifling.

Here is the ubiquitous IKEA Axstad question!

What color White paint did you choose to match the IKEA Axstad white ???

:-)

Perfect location!

I keep putting the Handyman on other jobs! OK I think one of these 2. The lower one lines up with top line of inset, higher one is... higher and kinda matches some math part of the horizontal handle. I think

Bottom pick has an accurate 'higher' handle option. There is also shadow at play to see past.

IDK why I have struggled with this for forever. Green painters tape works great tho!

I like the higher option. If you used the lower option I would never come into your home and think it was wrong. Choose whichever you prefer.

I'd go even higher. With such a tall door the low handle looks unbalanced.

Thanks you guys!

New Kitchen 2016 -- wall 4 right, after · More Info

We did ours up high like this. iI's where it feels right to reach to swing the doors wide -- reaching down at thigh height would feel very strange. But it's a personal choice.

My pantry doors start at counter height. The handles would be above waist.