Are handleless kitchens going out of fashion?

Are handleless kitchens going out of fashion?
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Are handleless kitchens going out of fashion?

In the 1970s, you couldn’t flip through an interior design magazine without seeing handleless kitchens. They were everywhere! This retro trend capitalised on homeowners’ increasing preference for smooth surfaces.  

Handleless cabinets aren’t a new concept, but they have experienced a resurgence in popularity. Recent years have seen the rise of minimalism: tasteful designs that create a clear, uncluttered feel. Sound familiar? 

Handleless kitchens show no signs of going out of fashion. Over 60 years, woodworkers have fashioned different mechanisms to make opening these cabinets even easier. To learn more about them, stay with the UK’s number one Kitchen, Bedroom, Bathroom outlet. 


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Should I have handles on my kitchen cabinets?

You should have handles in your kitchen if you’re looking to preserve the finish of your cabinets. Traditional knobs and handles (while looking beautiful) serve a mainly protective function. They prevent the user from making direct contact with the cabinet surfaces. Cabinet hardware helps shield the finish from scuff marks that can accumulate over time (a result of frequent opening and closing).

However, there are many kinds of mechanisms, designs and subtle pulls that can make a handleless kitchen the most appropriate option for your refurbishment. 


What are the different types of handleless kitchens?

1. J-pull 

The ‘J-pull’ is a cabinet with an integrated, J-shaped groove along its top or side edge. This built-in groove allows users to open the cabinet or drawer by gripping the recessed area. 

2. Overhead cabinets

Handleless cabinets aren’t solely reserved for lower cabinets. With a clever finger-pull lip at the bottom of your upper cabinets, users can open them along the bottom edge of the door. 

These cabinets will make cleaning quicker, as there’s no hardware to gather dust or grease over time. 




3. Push-to-open mechanisms

Another clever element of handleless kitchens is the push-to-open mechanism. These systems work by incorporating a spring-loaded mechanism or magnetic latch inside the cabinetry. 

When pressure is applied to the door or drawer front, the mechanism releases, causing the panel to pop open slightly. A simple push shuts it again! 

These mechanisms can be installed across a variety of kitchen cabinetry, including base units, wall-mounted cabinets, and even hidden storage compartments.

4. Moulded finger-pulls

Moulded finger pulls feature a channel routed into the top edge of the door or drawer front. It has a small lip for you to grip when you pull it open. 

Finger pull cabinets are one of the more cost-friendly handleless designs, as they don’t require additional hardware, and the cabinet itself doesn’t need to be altered. 

However, there are some considerations to keep in mind. The shallow channel that’s cut into the top of the door may only leave you with a small lip to grasp. If you have long nails (or big fingers!), this can be especially annoying. 



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5. True handleless 

True handleless kitchens feature a continuous rail built into the cabinet, which is positioned behind each door and drawer front. 

The rail creates a space for you to grip without the need for external handles! It can match the cabinet fronts or be left in a plain aluminium finish. 

However, you may incur additional costs. Typically, specialised labour is required for the installation of the continuous rail, which can only be done on-site once all the cabinets have been correctly positioned.



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Just let us know what you are looking for and you'll be the first to know when it arrives on site.



Shop for handleless kitchens with Rehome! 

So, are handleless kitchens going out of fashion? Certainly not! If you’re looking to make this timeless trend your own, Rehome is offering homeowners thousands of pounds off top-name brands, like John Lewis of Hungerford, Second Nature and Hacker

We can help stretch your budget with offerings on luxury approved-used and ex-display listings, all available for a fraction of their original cost. Get yours today, and live in possible.