What Kind of Cabinet Pulls Should I Choose in 2024? An Expert Guide to the Big Trends in Hardware
These are the most stylish types of cabinet pulls for kitchens and built-ins this year, according to the experts we asked

Kitchen hardware is one of those finer details that can go unnoticed but is crucially important. Your hardware must blend form and function, it must be beautiful and in keeping with the style of the room, yet be durable and offer a good grip. Often referred to as the 'jewelry' of the kitchen, while your hardware will be one of the final decisions you make in the kitchen, it is just as important as all other elements as it can tie the space together and drive a wider aesthetic. But within the world of kitchen hardware, there are plenty of micro-decisions to make. From knobs to handles to the material you pick (do you go glimmering brass or rustic wood?) It's also about the shape of the handle and how tactile it is.
Cabinet pulls are fixtures that are attached to the drawer and allow them to be pulled open. Unlike knobs, they are tactile and easy to use, while knobs don't quite have the same grip. If you're in the market to update your hardware, these are the cabinet pull trends for a modern kitchen to keep an eye on.
1. Shapely pulls
To bring a contemporary edge to your kitchen, irregular, asymmetric and playful shapes can be relied on for a modern twist. Think handmade and curved shapes that are interactive.
'I’m loving handmade and irregular pulls at the moment,' says Nickolas Gurtler of the award-winning, Melbourne-based practice. 'I like using aged brass, bronze, and hand forging techniques to create some very special pulls to interact with.'
For Nickolas, playing with scale also feeds into this kitchen hardware trend of irregularity, and can add interest to your cabinets, turning them into the star of the show.
'I think playing with scale can be chic too, perhaps using some commanding larger pieces for pantries and fridges and smaller more subdued options for simple cupboards and draws.'
2. Mixed pulls
The matchy-matchy look has been 'out' for some time, but this continues to dominate in 2024. Instead of the traditional matching look, designers and homeowners are mixing styles of pulls as well as metal materials for a more eclectic feel. Where our kitchens were traditionally gleaming white rooms that felt sterile and void of personality, they're evolving into cozy kitchens that showcase our identity. More importantly, they are places we want to spend time and relax.
'Mixing hardware styles is in vogue, with sturdy, solid materials and matte finishes,' says Lichelle Silvestry, founder of Lichelle Silvestry Interiors. 'I prefer matt finishes since they feel warmer, and I usually opt for traditional designs over minimalistic ones.'
There are no rules, but consider how you might balance the warm tones with the cool tones, finding a perfect balance. Consider how copper, and polished nickel mix with the more traditional metals we're used to seeing like stainless steel and nickel.
In terms of metal, we're still seeing a patina effect coming to the fore. 'Unlacquered brass is reclaiming its throne as a design staple in 2024,' says Leigh Misso, owner of River Brook Design & Construction. 'Its warm, golden hue not only exudes timeless elegance but also ages gracefully, developing a unique patina over time.
'The resurgence of unlacquered brass brings with it a sense of authenticity, making each cabinet pull a story of its own.'
3. Unique materials
For the best kitchen handles that really shine, consider going outside the box in terms of material. 'In addition to mere functional elements, cabinet pulls are transformed into artistic expressions. Variations in materials, from metal to wood and leather, are being introduced to harmonize with the rest of the design in a room,' says Gudbjørg Simonsen, founder of her eponymous studio.
'At times, the pulls are subtle, blending into the furniture's surface, while in other instances, they proudly take on the role of a visual centerpiece,' says Gudbjørg.
For something that does the latter, think fabric. Leather handles are a softer alternative that are pleasing to the touch and add a unique feel to a room as they age and wear beautifully over time. Wood with a beautiful grain can also feel tactile, cozy, and interesting. I love these pulls crafted from Tasmanian Oak by Kim Kneipp, it brings such natural softness to the space.
4. Textured finishes
Textured materials are also trending in the kitchen. Knurled T-bars and pulls appear luxurious, with small ridges on the surface for extra grip and exhibiting craftsmanship and attention to detail.
For Peter Wilds, founder of Peter Wilds Design, this is why the hammered or knurled details taking off. 'How it feels to the touch and its function drives all of my choices for cabinet and appliance pulls and whether they have aesthetic staying power,' says Peter.
'Matte or brushed finishes in black, nickel or brass continue to inspire,' he says. 'I am drawn to proportions where the size of the hardware is considerably under-scaled to the size of the door or drawer front. I love a cabinet pull or handle with a knurled detail as it adds texture and makes handling easy. Pulls that have a soft industrial kitchen feel add a bit of an edge to the overall aesthetic of the space.'
Leigh Misso agrees. ‘In the realm of textures, knurled surfaces are stealing the spotlight. The tactile sophistication of knurled textures adds depth and interest to cabinet pulls.’
5. Eliminating pulls altogether
Finally, a sleek way to open and close your kitchen cabinets is to forgo the hardware altogether, instead picking cabinet doors with a cut-out section that you can use to pull to open the cabinet door with ease.
It's a look that has been gaining traction for some time, is a budget-friendly solution, but we love its minimalist kitchen aesthetic. A lack of hardware altogether means less visual clutter, which helps keep the space looking calming. This design by Studio Nato does the look perfectly, with the oregan pine cabinet doors cut so there is no need for hardware.
3 trending kitchen pulls to try at home
Be The First To Know
The Livingetc newsletter is your shortcut to the now and the next in home design. Subscribe today to receive a stunning free 200-page book of the best homes from around the world.
Oonagh is a content editor at Livingetc.com and an expert at spotting the interior trends that are making waves in the design world. Writing a mix of everything and everything from home tours to news, long-form features to design idea pieces on the website, as well as frequently featured in the monthly print magazine, she's the go-to for design advice in the home. Previously, she worked on a London property title, producing long-read interiors features, style pages and conducting interviews with a range of famous faces from the UK interiors scene, from Kit Kemp to Robert Kime. In doing so, she has developed a keen interest in London's historical architecture and the city's distinct tastemakers paving the way in the world of interiors.
-
Velvet, Skirts, and Punchy Patterns — Lulu and Georgia's Spring Collection Oozes Refined Maximalism
From pieces drenched in pattern to furniture softened with skirts, Lulu and Georgia's spring collection is whimsical, yet refined in nature
By Devin Toolen Published
-
Tile Drenching Is the Trend That Everyone Needs to Know About — Even Kendall Jenner Loves It
There's a new trend taking over bathrooms, and we're here for it
By Maya Glantz Published
-
Colorful Wood Stains Are the New Way Cool People Are Doing Color in Their Kitchen
Still honoring the texture and grain of your material palette, colorful cabinet stains feel effortlessly design-led
By Olivia Wolfe Published
-
I Keep Seeing Decorative Countertop Edges Everywhere — The Trending Detail Making Kitchens Feel So Much More Magical
We're always on the hunt for ways to elevate our kitchen design, and this just might be our new favorite
By Maya Glantz Published
-
"Experimental, Futuristic, and Other-Worldly" — There's a Good Reason Space Age Interiors Are at the Fore of Design Right Now
This futuristic interior style is the sleek sister of mid-century modern design; think glossy surfaces, chrome accents, and lamps that would land on Mars
By Olivia Wolfe Published
-
Beading Is the Overlooked Interior Detailing That'll Make Your Home Feel Rich
Looking for more style and personality in your interiors? Embellish anything from accent chairs to pendant lighting with this fashion-forward detail
By Olivia Wolfe Published
-
This 70-Year-Old Coffee Table Design Might Be the Best Piece of Furniture You Can Own If You Love Having Friends Over
A coffee table, side table, and accent piece all in one; this timeless 'pinwheel' design scores on both form and function
By Olivia Wolfe Published
-
5 Living Room Color Trends for 2025 — New and Exciting Shades Designers Are Choosing for Walls
The new looks for living rooms sit in a few key color families, but there are a couple of outliers in these designer recommendations, too
By Luke Arthur Wells Published
-
Is This the End of the Airfryer as We Know It? Meet the Oven Tech That's Going to Replace Clunky Countertop Appliances
Airfryers have exploded in popularity over recent years, but they could soon be on their way out, in favor of the new technological trend taking over our kitchens
By Daisy Finch Published
-
Yes, Plywood Interiors Are Good for Your Reno Budget, But They're Way More Than Just an Inexpensive Finish
Injecting modernist looks with an overlooked material, exposed plywood is a crafty, economical pick for bespoke interiors
By Keith Flanagan Published