IKEA Kitchen Handles and Hardware: Selection and Installation Guide

IKEA Kitchen Handles and Hardware: Selection and Installation Guide

Here is something that might surprise you: the single fastest way to make an IKEA kitchen look expensive is to upgrade the handles. It sounds almost too simple, but hardware is one of the most visible and most-touched elements in any kitchen. You interact with your cabinet handles dozens of times a day. The right handles elevate the entire kitchen; the wrong ones (or the default ones that came free with the doors) can cheapen an otherwise beautiful design.

Let's walk through every option — from IKEA's own lineup to the best third-party alternatives — and cover the practical details of getting them installed correctly.

IKEA's Current Handle Options

IKEA offers a range of handles that coordinate with their door styles. Here are the main categories:

Bar Handles (Pulls)

• KALLARP — A simple, rounded bar pull in various lengths. Clean and modern.
• BAGGANÄS — A classic bar pull with a slightly more traditional feel. Available in brass, black, and stainless.
• ORRNÄS — A slim, minimalist bar pull. Very popular with contemporary door styles.

Knobs

• BAGGANÄS Knob — A small round knob available in brass-colored and stainless. Simple and versatile.
• ENERYDA — A slightly larger cup-pull style knob. Works well with BODBYN and other traditional doors.

Cup Pulls

• ENERYDA — IKEA's cup pull option. Available in brass and chrome. The cup pull is a classic choice for shaker-style kitchens and looks particularly good on BODBYN and LERHYTTAN doors.

Edge Pulls and Integrated Handles

• HACKÅS — A modern edge pull that mounts to the top or side of the door/drawer. Creates a handleless look while still being easy to grip.

Handle vs. Handleless (Push-to-Open)

IKEA offers a completely handleless kitchen option using their UTRUSTA push-to-open mechanisms. Instead of a handle, you push on the door or drawer front and it springs open.

Pros of handleless:

• Ultra-clean, minimalist appearance
• No handles to catch on clothing or bump into
• Easier to clean cabinet fronts (no hardware getting in the way)
• Contemporary European aesthetic

Cons of handleless:

• Push-to-open mechanisms can wear out over time (though replacements are inexpensive)
• Fingerprints show on the door fronts where you push
• Some people find it unintuitive — guests may not realize how to open cabinets
• Not everyone loves the modern aesthetic

Our take: Push-to-open works beautifully with high-gloss doors like RINGHULT and slab doors like VOXTORP. For shaker-style doors like BODBYN and AXSTAD, we almost always recommend visible handles — they complement the door profile and feel more natural with the traditional design.

How to Choose the Right Handle Style

Match your hardware to your door style and overall kitchen aesthetic:

Shaker/traditional doors (BODBYN, LERHYTTAN, AXSTAD):

• Cup pulls on drawers, knobs on doors — the classic combination
• Bar pulls also work, especially longer ones (128mm or 160mm center-to-center) on drawers
• Finishes: brass (warm), oil-rubbed bronze (traditional), matte black (transitional), brushed nickel (versatile)

Modern/slab doors (RINGHULT, VOXTORP):

• Slim bar pulls or edge pulls for a streamlined look
• Push-to-open for the ultimate minimalist approach
• Finishes: matte black (trending), brushed stainless (timeless), polished chrome (crisp)

Rustic/wood-look doors (ASKERSUND, TORHAMN):

• Knobs and short bar pulls in weathered or antique finishes
• Leather pulls for a Scandinavian farmhouse look (not an IKEA option, but available from third parties like Etsy sellers)
• Iron or wrought-metal handles for a more rugged aesthetic

Using Non-IKEA Hardware

Most homeowners we work with opt for third-party hardware, and with good reason — the selection is massively larger and the quality can be notably better. Here are our favorite sources:

Rejuvenation — Beautiful, design-forward handles and knobs. Their Massey cup pull and Blair bar pull are perennial favorites in our New England installations. Quality is excellent. Prices: $8-$25 per piece.

Schoolhouse — American-made hardware with a vintage-industrial feel. Their Utilitarian pull is a classic. Prices: $12-$30 per piece.

Top Knobs — One of the most respected hardware brands. Enormous selection, consistent quality. Available through kitchen and bath showrooms and online. Prices: $5-$20 per piece.

Amerock — Wide range of styles at reasonable prices. Available at Home Depot and online. Prices: $3-$12 per piece.

Emtek — Premium hardware with a modern sensibility. Their Jasper collection is stunning. Prices: $10-$30 per piece.

Amazon budget picks:

• Goldenwarm — Excellent value bar pulls. We have installed thousands of these and they hold up well. Prices: $2-$5 per piece.
• Ravinte — Good quality knobs and pulls at budget prices. Prices: $2-$4 per piece.

Mounting Hole Patterns

IKEA doors come with pre-drilled holes for IKEA handles. The standard hole spacing depends on the door style and handle type. If you are using non-IKEA hardware, you may need to drill new holes.

Standard IKEA hole spacing: Most IKEA handles use a single-hole (for knobs) or 128mm center-to-center (for pulls) hole pattern.

Common non-IKEA hole spacings:

• Single hole (knob)
• 96mm center-to-center
• 128mm center-to-center (most common for pulls)
• 160mm center-to-center
• 192mm center-to-center
• 256mm center-to-center (for longer pulls on wide drawers)

If your new hardware matches IKEA's pre-drilled holes (128mm CC is common for both), you can use the existing holes. If not, you will need to drill new holes.

Drilling Template Tips

Drilling handle holes in cabinet doors is one of those tasks that is simple in theory but unforgiving in practice. One misaligned hole and the door is ruined. Here is how to do it right:

• Use a drilling jig. A cabinet hardware drilling jig (available on Amazon for $10-$25) clamps to the door edge and guides the drill bit to the exact right position. The True Position TP-1935 and Liberty Align Right are popular options.

• Decide on placement first. Standard handle placement:
• Upper cabinet doors: Handles at the bottom corner (on the side opposite the hinges), about 2-3 inches from the bottom edge
• Base cabinet doors: Handles at the top corner, about 2-3 inches from the top edge
• Drawers: Handles centered horizontally, positioned 1/3 from the top of the drawer front

• Test on a scrap piece first. Before drilling any door, practice on a piece of scrap wood or an extra IKEA panel.

• Use a sharp drill bit. A dull bit can blow out the back side of the door, creating ugly chipping. Use a fresh bit and drill from the front face.

• Back the hole with tape. Placing painter's tape on the back of the door where the drill exits reduces chipping.

• Drill slowly and apply steady pressure. Do not force it. Let the bit do the work.

Handle Placement Guidelines

There is no single "correct" placement, but here are the guidelines most designers follow:

Doors: The handle should be on the side opposite the hinges, positioned so your hand naturally reaches it when approaching the cabinet. For upper cabinets, this is near the bottom. For base cabinets, this is near the top.

Drawers: Center the handle horizontally. For the vertical position, you have options:

• Centered: The handle sits at the vertical center of the drawer front. Clean and balanced.
• Upper third: The handle is positioned in the upper third of the drawer front. This is the standard for many designers and feels natural when reaching to pull a drawer open.
• Top rail: The handle sits very close to the top edge of the drawer front. More common in modern kitchens.

Consistency is key. Whatever placement you choose, use the drilling jig to ensure every single door and drawer has its handle in exactly the same position. Nothing looks more amateur than handles at slightly different heights.

Trending Hardware Styles for 2026

Based on what we are seeing across our New England kitchen installations:

• Matte black continues to dominate as the most requested hardware finish, pairing beautifully with white, light gray, and wood-tone cabinets
• Unlacquered brass is gaining ground, especially in traditional and transitional kitchens. It develops a natural patina over time, which some homeowners love
• Mixed metals — using one finish on uppers and another on lowers (e.g., brass knobs on wall cabinets, black bar pulls on base drawers) is trending
• Oversized pulls — longer handles (8-12 inches) on drawers create a dramatic, high-end look
• Knurled hardware — handles with a textured, ridged grip surface are having a moment

The Math: How Many Handles Do You Need?

For a typical 10x12 IKEA kitchen:

• 10-14 base cabinet drawers/doors
• 8-12 wall cabinet doors
• 1-2 pantry/tall cabinet doors

Total hardware pieces: 20-28 handles or knobs

At $5 per handle (mid-range), that is $100-$140 total. At $15 per handle (premium), that is $300-$420. This is one of the most affordable upgrades with the biggest visual impact.

Hearthstone Kitchens includes hardware installation in our IKEA kitchen installation service. We can also help you select the perfect hardware during the design phase. Get in touch to start planning your perfect kitchen.