Hardware helps to prevent grime, oils and food from collecting all over your cabinetry so use handles. Choose handles of all the same size. For safety and ease of use I recommend choosing handles that are rounded and have no open ends that can snag clothing and tear it. The types that will work best with your cabinetry include Rejuvenation's mission drawer pulls, offset drawer pulls, mission d pull with backplate, classic cabinet pull and rustic cabinet pull. The pulls enable the elderly, and those with grip or shaking issues such as those that come with Parkinson to easily open and close the cabinets. I would choose a darker finish which will make it easier for individuals with vision issues to see the handles. If you have children or children visit your home these types of pulls make it easier to use child cabinet locks on them. You can install the pulls sideways for door handles. I hope this helps you.

IMO there is just no choice that makes a room brighter than white cabinets. The cabinet styles may end up being considered dated in 20 years but the color white never will be. I am on my 3rd white kitchen. I have 4 sons ages 9 and younger... I find their hand (and sometimes foot) prints on almost every wall of my house (especially up the stairs and the white doorway trim, honestly why are kids so dirty?!), but I never notice dirt on my cabinets! I imagine base cabinets would show it the worst, especially an island because it's in the center of the busiest room in the house. Upper cabinets are accessed by handles and (tiny) people aren't usually running their hands all over them like the base ones. My island is a stained wood and when we remodel I am planning on doing white cabinets again and a stained or painted island.

Oh my goodness! Thank you all for the advice!!! I am truly grateful. Although, I've spent countless hours on Houzz and other sites, I didn't think I would have so many of you help me with this decision. I wish that I would I have asked earlier. The links, pictures and recommendations are very helpful. We've put so much into this that I hate to mess it up now. We moved to a small town that's exploding with growth and getting a kitchen designer was virtually impossible. A year wait at a minimum, maybe more. And, I didn't know anyone, so my hubby probably wishes that I had posted questions earlier more than me. From the beginning, I've wanted the wood cabinets to be the focal point. I'm also working with 8' ceilings. Every decision has been based on keeping it "open". We've put as much into structural changes and taking out walls, as we have on the kitchen. I definitely don't want the pulls to be the main attraction. You can't see it but behind the wall with the white cabinets is an open butler's pantry with a sink, small under counter fridge, and convection oven. We jokingly say it's my husband's kitchen. He's a messy cook. Joking aside, this is why I only have a few upper cabinets. Are knob pulls out? I could put them on the first drawers to help reduce the chances of getting hung. Unfortunately, I've already bought boxes of these. I am going try using the clear packing tape test recommendation next. Thank you! Thank you again for the help! More to come.

IMO pulls should be in proportion to the drawer size , you often also find if you go a bit larger you might have to install some horizontal and some vertical to avoid hitting cabinets. I find even 2 x5.5” pulls on a wide drawer not attractive not mention not convienient.This is agood example of both sizing and placement. Some of this depends on the style of pull also The ones in this picture are ones from Lee Valley and I use them very often on my kitchen designs but I do contemporary design. The Lee Valley ones come i s ahuge choice of sizes .