I love mine. Why would your husband think they aren't functional?

Cup pulls are very practical and can look great against a traditional styled kitchen, you have the advantage of them being round so you wont ever snag clothing etc on them like you can with some bar handles.

I'm ordering them today!

I used bar handles on top drawers and then cup pulls for others. I use my kitchen a lot and felt like your husband on ease of use. I'm not sure from a design perspective if it was "correct" thing to do but I love it. Got idea from houzz kitchen photo that I really loved and kept referring to. Here's pic of both. Good luck !!

I have cup pulls in my personal kitchen, and I love them! Their function is the same as a handle for the most part.... except if he plans on opening the base drawer cabinets with his toes, the handles would be easier! hahaha