No Hardware: 10 Genius Pros + Cons of Kitchen Cabinets Without Handles!

Wondering if kitchen cabinets without handles or kitchen drawers without knobs is right for you? I’m giving you my professional “no hardware” perspective (plus some designs we’ve done for clients showing them–and you!–how many different design options you really have in a handleless kitchen)!

A woman stared at me, speechless (and clearly confused) when I playfully suggested hardware was not required in her kitchen…and could even make her life easier!

(She wasn’t a client. This is what happens when you–even half jokingly and with a wink–offer advice without being asked. Many people don’t want free tips, even from a designer! But that’s another subject beyond the scope of this post. 🙂 )

I know that you, dear reader, already know that just because this original kitchen design you’ve seen from us has one element (such as kitchen drawer pulls and cabinet knobs)…

…doesn’t mean my brain hasn’t been thinking of going “no hardware” in my kitchen the past few years since we sold that house. 😉

white kitchen cabinets and drawers without handles, natural wood floors, marble or quartz countertops, waterfall island edge, modern style
Before you think this looks too “plain and boring,” read on! 🙂

There are pros and cons to having your kitchen drawers and cabinets with and without handles (believe me, I’ve thought of them all!), so today I’m giving you my brain’s mental list!

(As well as letting you in on this secret…another element you may or may not see from us in our next personal kitchen remodel. 😉 I have thousands of new ideas like this that we haven’t done in our past houses!)

We’ll also answer popular questions such as

  • “Do all kitchen cabinets need hardware?”
  • “Is there such a thing as a ‘handleless kitchen’?”
  • “Can you have kitchen drawers without handles?”
  • “Is there a kitchen cabinet without handle design?”

Kitchen cabinets without handles

“Handleless Kitchen”: The Pros & Cons!

Now, I really want to get into the variety of design options I want to show you, but first, let’s discuss the pros and cons. Function first!

Pro #3: Functionality!

We all know that having a clear knob or handle to pull on something in your kitchen is the standard, and why. This provides a convenient grip for easy opening and closing of drawers and cabinets.

Handles and knobs on your kitchen cabinets and drawers can also enhance accessibility, especially for individuals with mobility issues. (Going “no hardware” can require different movements, but we’ll get to that later!)

white kitchen cabinets and drawers without handles, natural wood floors, marble or quartz countertops and backsplash, kitchen table with rattan chairs, modern style, woven pendant over dining table
Make your life easier – check out our kitchen organization hacks!

Kitchen drawers without handles

Pro #2: Keeps cabinet and drawer fronts clean!

You know I love this “pro” of handles in your kitchen. When they prevent smudges and fingerprints, maintaining a cleaner appearance more easily, handles on your kitchen cabinets can definitely deliver the goods!

No hardware in kitchen

Pro #1: Design Look!

Handles and knobs can add a decorative element to the kitchen if you’re in need of that. Like the lady in my story at the start of this post, some people can’t imagine a life without hardware in their kitchen! Some people call it “the jewelry of the kitchen!” (I’m not so sure I agree with that, but we’ll get to that too. 🙂 )

Hardware can act as a focal point, adding some definite character to the kitchen space! (I talk about the opposite further below, so read on! Can you tell I’m excited to share both viewpoints? 🙂 )

Having hardware is also an easy way to change the overall look of your kitchen if you’re not switching out cabinet and drawer fronts. There are countless options, a wide variety of styles, materials, and finishes for customization to your preferences.

wood kitchen cabinets and drawers without handles, floor to ceiling black windows, black open shelving, natural wood floors, marble or quartz countertops, waterfall island edge, modern style
Here’s a kitchen design we created, showing a kitchen with all pull-out drawers with an almost invisible bit of hardware. PS: Don’t you love those giant appliance drawers?

PS: Speaking of extra large appliance drawers, avoid having appliances out on your counters (shown below) by putting them in drawers we did like this!

white and wood kitchen cabinets and drawers without handles, open wooden shelves, marble or quartz countertops, modern style
I’m also showing you this as an example of how you can still “warm up” your kitchen with wood, not handles! 😉

KITCHEN CABINETS With or WIthout Handles

Con #1: Knobs and Handle Maintenance

Handles and knobs may wear out or break over time, requiring replacements.

But honestly, even before that usually happens, I think the handles and knobs people install in their kitchens “wear out” aesthetically first! So many dated looks come from hardware…that’s why people suggest switching it out so often. (But depending on how many you have and the cost–high quality, gorgeous handles and pulls are pah-rye-see! Pricey!)

And while they “save” your cabinet and drawer fronts, handles also can accumulate dirt and grime, necessitating regular cleaning efforts. (I used to make this one of my children’s chores in our big house…it’s easy to do but hard on the back! I’d put on music, sit on the floor with them, and away we’d go! It was also partially my fault for 1) having so many glorious, glorious drawers and 2) having children who leave fingerprints on everything.)

white and wood kitchen cabinets and drawers without handles, natural wood floors, marble or quartz countertops and backsplash
We’ll talk about this more later, but going “handleless kitchen” doesn’t mean you can’t still work in details to your drawers and cabinets. It just doesn’t have to be the hardware!

KITCHEN CABINETS with handles vs without

Con #2: Aesthetics

This is a biggie for me. Often (and it does depend on your kitchen cabinets, drawers, the design, your layout, and placement, etc), knobs and handles on your kitchen cabinets disrupt the clean lines and cohesive appearance of your cabinetry! (Especially in updated, modern or minimalist designs.)

It can be done well, and you can see in our kitchen how the drawer pulls in our kitchen don’t scream at you (as many often do, especially when they’re high contrast such as black pulls on white cabinets.)

And especially in small kitchens, I love the handle-free look! (Such as in this design we did maximizing every inch of space needed in this U-shaped kitchen!)

small kitchen with greyish white kitchen drawers and cabinets without handles, natural wood floors, marble or quartz countertops, modern style
We have THIS guide showing you how to convert your cabinets to drawers!

handle-full vs HANDLELESS KITCHEN

Con #3: Kitchens are already busy-looking!

Do NOT make decisions on whether to go with handles on your kitchen cabinets while you imagine your kitchen completely bare and unused.

Because the simple fact is that your kitchen is a workspace! It’s going to have food, containers, and a plethora of other items on its counters most of the time. So does it really need more “jewelry” in the workspace? Something to think about… 😉

modern kitchen with drawers and cabinets without handles, natural wood floors, quartz countertops and backsplash, waterfall island edge
Look, even just with some simple things on these counters, the kitchen is starting to look cluttered enough to me…it’s on its way! 🙂 haha

KITCHEN CABINETS WITHOUT HANDLES

Pro #4: No Handles Means Easy Cleaning!

I love that a smooth, uninterrupted drawer or cabinet face is easier to clean and maintain than the ones with decorative elements or hardware.

I mean, seriously, can’t you just imagine

how bloomin’ fast

you could dance down this kitchen and wipe it down after a major cooking session?

modern white kitchen drawers and cabinets without handles, natural wood floors, wood countertops

KITCHEN DRAWERS WITHOUT HANDLES

Pro #3: Up-to-Date Look & Feel!

Choosing kitchen cabinets with no handles offers a sleek and modern look and feel, enhancing the kitchen’s overall aesthetic…

…and by “modern” I don’t mean uber-futuristic! I mean “updated” and even “classic”-ly modern, depending on what you choose and how you implement it! (This is why you hire a designer, or at least have one look over and confirm your choices/thought process to help you!)

To illustrate just a hair of this point, I’ll share with you one of my favorite recent design renderings for a client project. You can’t get more classic and timeless than this solid backsplash with marble veining! (Marble has been used for thousands of years…there are also amazing quartz options that have the same elegant look!)

Then paired with that timeless material are the up-to-date all drawers with no hardware…

I’m proud of this most recent design, both in the functionality, layout and timeless look.

wood kitchen drawers without handles, natural wood floors, marble countertops and backsplash, waterfall island edge, wooden open shelving, modern style
Our printable Kitchen Bundle includes “How to Organize Your Kitchen (For Maximum Efficiency & Storage)!

handleless kitchen cabinets

Pro #2: Space Perception!

If you have a small kitchen, having your kitchen cabinets without handles can create a sense of spaciousness. So not only does your small kitchen appear larger, it just feels airy and light.

If you have a large kitchen, having your kitchen cabinets and drawers without handles and knobs helps make everything look less cluttered! With large or extra-large kitchens, there tends to be a lot going on…a lot for the eye to look at; therefore I love going handle-free for this reason!

handleless kitchen in modern style, natural wood floors, quartz countertops on island, wooden countertop, white open shelving, large floor to ceiling windows
This large kitchen feels so light and airy without the use of handles and knobs distracting your eye!

Kitchen drawers without knobs

Pro #1: Smooth! (And Less Likely to Attack You)

Raise your hand if you’ve ever caught an article of clothing, an accessory, or the edge of your apron on a protruding cabinet or drawer handle in your kitchen!

(Mine is raised. Maybe I stand too close to them, or maybe it’s just the way I move, but this is annoying with certain hardware designs. Actually, it usually makes me laugh when it pulls me back unexpectedly, but still…annoying to know the probability is always there.)

This does depend on the design choice of your long pulls, so those can be avoidable, but still…any knob is a potential assassin! 😉 ha

close up photo of plant on kitchen countertop, modern style white kitchen drawers without handles
How to organize your kitchen drawers!

No hardware in your kitchen eliminates this fear of being “Surprise!” pulled back by your own kitchen cabinet handle or drawer knob.

(New nightmare fear? I feel like I’m creating a cutting-edge thriller movie script: “The Evil Kitchen Hardware That Pulled Jess Back In/Sucked Her Into Their Cabinet Lair Forever.” The title needs some work but…Scriptwriting agents, you may contact me to discuss the rights.)

no hardware kitchen

Con #1: Functionality (for Some)

The lack of tactile feedback might make it challenging for some individuals to open drawers and cabinets.
If you have a lot of guests over, it requires those users to be accustomed to touch or push-to-open mechanisms, which can be less intuitive. (Personally, I don’t think this is a problem. When I go to others’ homes and something strikes me as unfamiliar, I ask. I’m not just going around trying to open their kitchen cabinets and drawers without them there. 😂)

handleless white kitchen drawers in neutral kitchen with natural wood floors, quartz countertop, wooden kitchen table with vase on it, wood open shelf with bowls and plates
If you’re thinking of a remodel, you can utilize our Ultimate Kitchen Design Guides!

KITCHEN WITH NO HARDWARE

Con #2: Limited Customization

You could say that handleless kitchen designs offer fewer customization options in terms of millions of options for decorative elements. It also doesn’t suit every design theme, which you could say limits flexibility in kitchen aesthetics.

However, below I’ll show you some examples of the hundreds of different options you have when it comes to customizing your handleless kitchen, both with cabinets and drawers!

Ultimately, the choice you have between going with full-on kitchen hardware versus no-hardware depends on your individual priorities and goals, preferences, lifestyle, and your desired kitchen aesthetics.

And, of course, it may now also depend on whether my “Kitchen Hardware Attacks Homeowner!” thriller idea has given you a new phobia or not. 😆

handleless kitchen ideas

7 Design Options for Kitchen Cabinets Without Handles!

To get you started…

#1: Basic

OK, so here’s what most people probably think their drawers have to look like if they don’t have pulls or handles or any kind of hardware showing.

simple white kitchen drawers without handles and butcherblock countertop, three plants in pots on countertop, white walls, natural wood floors, modern style
Drawers over cabinets in kitchens, ALWAYS!

And while I still love this look for certain clients and situations, you’re not limited to it.

PS: If you’re asking “How on earth would you open the above?” these are magnetized drawers. So you give a small push “in”, and the drawer pops out. But not all magnet mechanisms are created equally (I’m sorry to be looking at you, IKEA), so make sure you get a quality one! (Like the one we used for the ever-beautiful, classic cabinet above our fridge!)

#2: Magnets, but customized!

You don’t have to go with white cabinets with magnets. You can paint them any color you want (talk about customization!) or go with another thousand different choices of woods! (In various finishes, from glossy to matte!)

grey kitchen drawers without handles and quartz countertops, wood backsplash, transitional-modern style
Remodeling a kitchen? 101 Things you don’t want to forget!

#3: Speaking of glossy…

Your cabinets without handles can be customized in the final gloss (or matte) finish of your choice!

Higher gloss (such as the below) are generally easier to clean and great for high-traffic households.

white kitchen cabinets and drawers without handles, marble or quartz countertops, modern style
Drawers, drawers, and more drawers! WHAT A DREAM!

#4: Slight lip

If you don’t want magnets on your kitchen drawers and cabinets, these drawers have a slight, almost imperceptible lip. The upper cabinets just pull out and close, without handles! Easy breezy!

white kitchen cabinets and drawers without handles, natural wood floors, marble or quartz countertops, two kitchen islands, one wooden kitchen island and one waterfall island edge, modern style
Should you choose white quartz countertops?

#5: More “lip”

You can go as “dramatic” as you want in your “lip” of drawers, and here are some examples in various whites and woods:

white kitchen cabinets and drawers without handles, natural wood floors, marble or quartz countertops, waterfall island edge, modern style
wooden kitchen cabinets and drawers without handles, wooden open shelving, natural wood floors, marble or quartz countertops, wooden kitchen table, modern style
white kitchen cabinets and drawers without handles, natural wood floors, marble or quartz countertops, modern style
Wondering how to convert your lower cabinets to drawers?

Even when you have large pull-out drawers or cabinets (such as in this island on the right in the below photo), the “lip” can continue visually.

wooden kitchen cabinets and drawers without handles, wooden open shelving, natural wood floors, marble or quartz countertops, waterfall island edge, modern style
To get our help RIGHT NOW for your entire kitchen, grab our printable Kitchen Bundle!

#6: Square or rectangular cutouts…

white kitchen cabinets and drawers without handles, natural wood floors, marble or quartz countertops, modern style

#7: …And beyond!

I’ll have to continue this list another day as there are circular cutouts, different “lip” styles, and other treatments as options…

…and you can also mix and match, as we’ve done in this kitchen below! (Upper cabinets: seamless. Lower drawers: rectangular cutouts.)

white and wooden kitchen cabinets and drawers without handles, natural wood floors, marble or quartz countertops, waterfall island edge, wooden kitchen table, modern style
Get tips on a beautiful and timeless kitchen design how-to!

Even with too many options to list here today, as long as I’ve got you thinking about the option of no handles on your kitchen cabinets and drawers…

…my work here is done! 🙂

[Or–if you’re new here–has it just begun? 😉 ]

Next…

PS: You can see all our home projects here!

This Post Has 5 Comments

  1. Donna Podlucky

    Hi Jess! I’m doing a kitchen remodel! Had in my mind no cabinet hardware in the kitchen my house is very minimal and contemporary! My cabinets are Slim shaker quarter sawn white oak! I see pictures on Pinterest with the shaker cabinets with no hardware! Everyone is telling me I will have finger marks! Don’t like the hardware and having a very hard time to choose one! Need help! Thanks

    1. Jess

      Hi Donna! You can set up a personalized Design Consult with us here!

      Cheers!
      Jess & Matt

  2. Nicole

    great article. I am having a hard time finding cabinet manufacturers. so you do a list of the the mfg from the pix above. the mfgs I am find just want to give me pop up hindges. I really want the beveled edge no handle handle. who knew trying to find something simple was so hard.

    1. Jess

      Hi Nicole!

      Yes, it can take a LOT of hours to try to find a non-standard cabinet! What room are you looking for cabinets for?

      Jess and Matt

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