Regarded as the jewelry of the cabinets, pulls and knobs are details that can make a strong statement.

Even the most beautiful, most expensive cabinets won’t be worth much if you can’t get into them. That’s where the hardware comes in.

With literally tens of thousands of knobs and pulls to choose from, it’s easy to feel lost. Before you choose the color and style (the fun part!), consider the following:

• Grabbing at your cabinets while baking cookies isn’t the smartest idea—traces of butter and batter mixed with body oils can damage the wood and finish. Knobs and pulls protect your cabinets from you, basically! Make sure you’re comfortable with the way the hardware feels so that you won’t be tempted to pull you cabinet or drawer open any other way.
   
• For an added dose of protection, choose a pull mounted on a backplate.
   
• Your hardware’s design shouldn’t be so complicated that you can’t open it. A good way to test is to make sure your pinkie can operate it.
   
• You don’t have to be a fan of knobs and pulls. If you’d rather have you hardware blend in than serve as a decorative accent, that’s okay. You can even make them virtually disappear: Select a touch-and-release style or doors that hang slightly below the cabinet so that all you do is pull on the lower edge to open them. Just make sure the cabinets are coated in a protective finish.
   
• Knobs do offer a few subtle benefits; because your hand goes between the pull and the cabinet, oils and digging fingernails can affect the finish. Also, if you decide to change your hardware, a knob's one point suspension can be easier to replace; with a pull, you have to consider measurement between the two points.
   
• There’s no secret formula for deciding where to use knobs and pulls. Though most prefer pulls on drawers, you can certainly opt for knobs instead. Just be sure to choose knobs and pulls from the same collection or those with complementary stylings to maintain continuity when using both.
   
• Consider the other finishes in your room. Placing stainless steel pulls in a kitchen with a bronze faucet or appliances with a carbon finish may not flow well.
   
• There are no rules for placement on the cabinet. Comfort and accessibility come first; after that, it’s your aesthetic choice.
   
• Make sure your decorative hardware’s finish doesn’t clash with any exposed functional hardware (like hinges).
   
• Be sure to get the proper length screw. Knobs use one screw, pulls use two. If your cabinet has predrilled holes for pulls, be sure to purchase hardware that fits the length from the center of each screw to screw. If you’re having trouble finding the right size, you can also drill new holes and cover the existing ones with a stylish backplate.
   
• Practically speaking, be sure that your choice doesn’t pinch your finger, is in proportion with the size of the cabinet doors, and attaches firmly to the cabinet.
   
• For a universal design-inspired, user-friendly kitchen, choose cabinet and drawer pulls large enough to grip with the entire hand. They should be easy to grasp, especially if located above the refrigerator or vent hood.
   
• The distance that the pull extends from the cabinet is known as the projection. Make sure your projection allows for adequate drawer and door clearance. Larger projections can benefit those looking to employ universal design.