Top Knobs Guide to Decorative Hardware Size Selection

November 13, 2019

Choosing the right decorative hardware for your cabinets requires a balance between functionality and style. The knobs and pulls you select will effortlessly tie your space together when coordinated with the relative scale of your cabinet doors and drawers. But how do you decide on the proper size of hardware to use?

While there are no strict rules to follow, the number of options can be a bit overwhelming. That’s why Top Knobs has created a comprehensive guide to ensure your hardware perfectly pairs with your cabinetry.

Before pulling out your measuring tape, it’s important to note some key terms when it comes to measuring knobs and pulls:

Overall Length: The distance from one end of the pull to the other end
Center-to-Center: The industry standard for measuring pulls, the distance from the center of one screw hole to the center of the other screw hole
Diameter: Refers to the width of a knob or width of the thickest portion of a pull
Projection: How far the pull or knob sticks out from the surface of the cabinet once installed

Now that you are familiar with the terminology and you can properly measure, let’s review how to proportionately pick hardware for your cabinets.

Knobs

Knobs are the most versatile hardware options. Available in a broad range of styles and finishes, standard size knobs range between 1-2 inches in diameter and will complement cabinet doors of any size.

When arranged on drawers less than 16 inches in width, we recommend installing one knob directly at the center. As for drawers larger than 16 inches, two knobs should be installed. For a symmetrical appearance, measure the drawer into thirds and set the knobs in the center of the two outer portions.

Pulls

Pulls come in a variety of styles and lengths, which can prove to be daunting when selecting proportionately sized hardware. Bar Pulls are traditionally measured center-to-center and they should not exceed 1/3 of the length of a cabinet door or width of a drawer.

Pulls 3-7 inches in length will sit the most comfortably on doors less than 24 inches tall. Cabinet doors 24-36 inches tall are best adorned with pulls 7-12 inches long, while cabinets taller than 36 inches such as pantries, built-in appliances and pullouts should be accompanied by pulls longer than 12 inches.

When fixed on drawers one pull 3-5 inches in length should be installed in the center at the center of a drawer less than 16 inches wide. Drawers 16-32 inches wide are best embellished with two smaller pulls 5-7 inches in length or one larger pull 9-12 inches long. Any drawer broader than 32 inches will require a pull longer than 12 inches.

Cup Pulls and Tab Pulls

Cup and tab pulls will follow the same sizing recommendations as bar pulls however, their placement will vary.

Due to their size and configuration, cup pulls are commonly reserved for drawers and are positioned at the top center or directly in the center. When installed on drawers, tab pulls should be placed along the top center of drawers. On upper cabinets, tab pulls are either installed vertically on the opening of the doors or horizontally on the very bottom.

Appliance Pulls

Appliances pulls are the perfect way to match your appliances and oversized cabinet doors with your decorative hardware. Appliance pulls are available in a variety of sizes from 12 to 30 inches. They should be placed on cabinet doors taller and drawers larger than 36 inches.

Want more design tips? Read our placement guide for a comprehensive look into positioning your hardware.

For more products, trends and tips from Top Knobs be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter , and Pinterest

Top Knobs, Top Designs

October 8, 2019

From master bedrooms and bathrooms to mudrooms and laundry rooms and every space in between, Top Knobs has been the go-to decorative hardware brand for the past 25 years!

With pulls, knobs and appliance pulls, available in 37 finishes; Top Knobs offers a wide array of styles to match nearly every décor and color pallette. Interior designers and homeowners continuously turn to Top Knobs to complete the look of their project.

Below are some of our favorite design projects featuring Top Knobs’ collection of hardware. Want to be featured in our next round-up? Simply tag Top Knobs in your Facebook and Instagram posts and use the #TopKnobs hashtag!

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For more products, trends and tips from Top Knobs be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest!

Refresh Your Kitchen with Top Knobs Guide to Cabinet Colors

August 14, 2019

Kitchen cabinets are no longer a space reserved just for storage. They have become the focal point of the kitchen, an essential element for expressing personal style. And 2019 was all about updating cabinets with a splash of color

Whether you’re remodeling or drawing inspiration for your new build, Top Knobs has put together a list of five on-trend cabinet colors and complementary hardware finishes you’ll want to incorporate into your kitchen design.

White
Neutral, clean, and timeless, white will never go out of style. Opting for white cabinets is an easy choice if you want to brighten up your kitchen. If you’re worried about your space getting washed out, dress up your cabinets with rich tones. Achieve that modern farmhouse look with antique copper hardware.

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Gray
Not ready to take the color plunge? Gray is the way to go. It is a great way to introduce color and contrast into the kitchen without going over the top. Pair it with flat black hardware for a classic look that is also transitional.

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Deep Green
If you’re feeling a little daring and adventurous, go for a darker hue. Deep green is having quite a moment in 2019 and is becoming the most sought after option for cabinet color. To complete the look, try a hardware combination of knobs and pulls from in a warm finish such a honey bonze.

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Navy Blue
In the mood for a more traditional look? Navy blue adds a touch of sophistication to any space. Pair navy cabinets with the always on-trend brushed satin nickel hardware for a timeless look that is sure to impress.

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Black
Black cabinets will give your kitchen a sleek and contemporary feel. Be careful not to drown your space in darkness. Polished chrome pulls will break up the monochromatic look but maintain the modern design scheme.

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Want more inspiration for your renovation? Use the Top Knobs Find Your Style Tool for more options!

For more products, trends and tips from Top Knobs be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest!

A Space of His Own Adorned with Top Knobs Decorative Hardware

June 5, 2018

With help from Top Knobs decorative hardware, designer, interior decorator & TV host Vicki Payne helped her client Bill create a new construction home that was completely his own. The client, a 50-year-old bachelor, wanted an open concept layout with wide open spaces, expanded living areas, a first floor master suite, floor to ceiling glass windows, wood and stone exteriors, three car garages and as much outdoor living space as possible. Most importantly though, Bill wanted to be as involved as possible in the building of the home.

The contemporary home, known as the True Residence, is located on a 2 1/2 acre wooded lot in the SouthPark neighborhood of Charlotte, NC. With a long wish list for this dream house, the new construction took over 18 months to build. Once complete, project coordinator Vicki Payne took over to turn his interior dreams into a reality.

KITCHEN

With a love for cooking and entertaining, Bill likes for the party to start in the kitchen. Vicki selected maple colored kitchen cabinets with two different finishes. To complete the look, Bill wanted something sleek but not too dainty for his decorative hardware, which is why Vicki opted for a combination of knobs and pulls from Top Knobs Sanctuary Collection in a Brushed Satin Nickel finish for the perimeter cabinets. Pulls from the Aspen Collection were used to accessorize the Middle Island cabinets.

SCULLERY

Located between the indoor gourmet kitchen and a custom outdoor kitchen, Vicki designed a scullery which incorporated built-in cabinets, countertops, a farmhouse style sink and a dishwasher for discrete prep and clean-up during large gatherings. The deep blue colored cabinets were decorated with Tuscan Bronze pulls from the Top Knobs Dakota Collection for an easy to grip, strong and dependable pull.

LAUNDRY ROOM

Sticking with the deep blue theme, a laundry room with a vast amount of storage space features blue cabinets and dark appliances. To add a pop of brightness to the room, the walls and floors were finished with light colored tile and paint, while the cabinets were made complete with Top Knobs Princetonian Bar Pulls in Brushed Satin Nickel. A tall window overlooking the laundry room sink adds light and dimension to the space.

GYM & GUEST BATHROOM

Keeping the contemporary theme alive, the gym & guest bathrooms feature two of Top Knobs popular styles of the present day. In the gym bathroom, Juniper Berry Diamond cabinets are finished with pulls from the Top Knobs Sanctuary Collection while Clover Diamond cabinets in the guest bathroom are accessorized with Polished Steel knobs and pulls from the Top Knobs Stainless Steel Collection.

MASTER BATHROOM

Last but not least comes the master bath. As one of only two rooms in the house with custom cabinets, the mahogany colored horizontal wood grain design required custom fabrication resulting in a completely unique look. To finalize the feel of the space, Vicki chose Top Knobs Arched Pulls from the Sanctuary Collection in a Polished Chrome finish.

Thank you, Vicki, for choosing Top Knobs to adorn Bills’ new home! See Vicki Payne’s entire project in a 10-part series entitled “A Space of His Own” starting here.

Aspen Collection Helps Transform an Arizona Fixer-Upper Kitchen

December 5, 2017

When it came time for Chicago native Michele from Hello Lovely Studio and her husband to choose a second home for vacation and retirement, picking the location was simple. With year-round warm weather, open space and family living nearby the couple purchased a 4 bedroom Mediterranean style cottage in Arizona. While the home was practically like new, it lacked the serene style and relaxing atmosphere they craved in a vacation home. Cabinet hardware from the Top Knobs Aspen Collection helped transform the once plain kitchen into a French-Nordic inspired paradise.

Having previously renovated her primary residence, Michele was confident that she could transform her kitchen all on her own. To start, the couple salvaged the old maple cabinets and painted them a soft European blue-grey color. Since the cabinets stood short in a room with 9 foot ceilings, they added risers to the cabinet tops and installed crown molding for dimension.

Before

After

Michele traded in her dark colored appliances for bright, stainless steel. The once mottled brown laminate countertops were replaced with Quartz countertop accented by Calacatta gold marble wall tile.

To aid in the chic, yet serene, charm of the kitchen Michele partnered with Top Knobs and installed knobs and pulls from the Top Knobs Aspen Collection. 3-inch Aspen Cup Pulls were used on the lower drawers, while Aspen Potato Knobs were used on upper and lower cabinets. The subtle look of the collection added much needed style to the once bare cabinets.