Of the copious amounts of designs that are available, one of the more popular is the single knob design.  A very general, standard and straightforward knob, it is seated on a base plate, has a thinner middle section and a larger end and allows for a full grip on the knob when opening the drawer that it is attached to.

These standard yet extremely popular knobs are generally used on drawers that are of a smaller capacity, such as bedside cabinets or a miniature chest of drawers.  As they are often only one inch wide – although larger sizes are available – they can look out of place on a standard chest of drawers and may become unstable through regular use.

Attached by a single screw through the front panel of the drawer, these knobs are screwed on to the end of the screw and are extremely sturdy, assuming that they are fitted to the correct sized drawers.

As well as the single knob design, the underhand half-moon designs are also extremely popular.  Larger than the single knobs, they require two screws – fitted in the general same way as the single knob – to fix them to the drawer and can be attached to many different sized cabinets.  The design of them, with a hollow underneath, allows them to be gripped extremely easily and therefore makes them some of the most ideal cabinet knobs available for people who struggle to grip items properly, such as the elderly or frail.

All cabinets from a certain era have a very distinct look about them.  Whether it’s an art-deco cabinet or an Edwardian cabinet, each has their own individual and unique appearance and this should be replicated in the best possible fashion when replacing the knobs.  Furthermore, with the gigantic choice of traditional knobs that are available both on the internet as well as in many standard and specialist hardware stores, it is almost impossible not to be able to purchase the most appropriate type of knob for the cabinet that is being restored.

There are various reasons why people choose the more expensive knobs for their cabinet.  It may be because the knobs fit in with the design of the cabinet and the room, or it may simply be because the person adores the knob and feels it would make a fantastic addition to a cabinet in their home.  If you have purchased a high quality cabinet or the best writing desk, there is no doubt that you’ll want the best pulls available.

A great example of an expensive knob is a handcrafted crystal ended knob.  These knobs are very exclusive and are very rarely made on a mass produced basis – although a small amount are created for general public selling – often manufactured to the buyer’s set specification.  As they are handcrafted, no two knobs are exactly the same and this gives the knobs that added uniqueness that many people look for in additions to their home.  Furthermore, due to them being made to a set specification, they can generally be created from anything.  Assuming they have a crystal (or more commonly a crystal substitute) in or as the handle, the base can be made from anything from reinforced glass to a form or metal and everything in between.  These knobs do cost a considerable amount of money, but most would agree that the class they add to the cabinet makes the price tag more than worthwhile.

Still rare outside of the home of millionaires, it is possible to purchase diamond encrusted knobs for most cabinets.  These knobs are completely designed and sculptured by time-served professionals and feature only the most exclusive and sought after diamonds.  With a price tag to match their uniqueness, these knobs are only for a small percentage of the world – but leave a large amount in awe at their sheer beauty and elegance.

Whilst it is possible to install expensive cabinet knobs oneself, it is not generally recommended as if something happened to go wrong, cover is very rarely provided.  However, if the knobs are installed by an experienced craftsman – preferably the person who created the cabinet knob – if something breaks or the knob does not fit correctly, the standard procedure is for it to be rectified completely until the customer is happy and completely content with their newly installed knobs.

Of the many reasons why online shopping for knobs can be great, the reduced price that is regularly prominent is often at the forefront of them.  When taking into consideration that offline stores have many more overheads – premises, staffing, Point of Sale registers and commercial furniture are to name just four – the prices for the goods, including knobs, has to increase.  Conversely however, websites have very minimal overheads – after taking into account the initial costs of the website, most only have to pay for storage facilities – and can therefore show the savings made in the price of their goods, which are in turn passed onto their customers.

Whilst shopping online for knobs can be extremely beneficial, there are also some often unforeseen downsides.  For example, when purchasing knobs in a hardware store or similar bricks and mortar retail outlet, they can be picked up and viewed before buying, allowing the prospective buyer to determine suitability, at least aesthetically, almost immediately.  However, when buying online, the buyer has to rely on an image of the cabinet knob provided by the website.  This may seem suitable, but occasionally the image does not provide a true representation of the knob and means that once the knob has been delivered, it has to be returned, often incurring additional, unwanted costs as the buyer generally has to pay for any return postage.  This is the same for if the knob has a fault.  In an offline store, the fault can be seen immediately.  However, for an online store, the product has to be delivered before any faults can be seen.  Due to this reason, it is imperative that the website’s returns policy is taken into consideration prior to purchasing any knobs.  Furthermore, the returns policy should be read through thoroughly as on occasion, some websites – especially hardware related ones – often refuse to return certain items and whilst knobs aren’t generally named, it is always best to check the specifics of the policy.

Although there are several negative points to buying cabinet knobs online, overall, it is a better process than purchasing them offline.  The variety available and the reduced price means that it can be a greatly enjoyable experience for all buyers.

Some of the more popular cabinet knob designs available are those that are considered to be modern and minimalist.  For example, there is a current knob on the market that – with some adjustments to the drawer workings itself – requires a simple, light push and the drawer opens fully allowing for access to the contents without having to pull the drawer open.  Furthermore, some modern knob designs are built to fit in with the drawer, allowing for a flush finish with no apparent or obvious knob.  The idea behind these knobs is that when the drawer needs to be opened, the knob is able to be pulled up and out, which can then be used to open the drawer.

For the restoration of more traditional cabinets, there are many knobs available that are created in periodic designs but out of much longer lasting materials.  These knobs allow for a treasured cabinet to be restored to its original beauty, without bringing it too far into the modern era.

When looking at the different designs that are available, many people opt for a simple and often understated design, such as the hollow half moon.  These knobs are designed with simplicity and functionality at the forefront of the mind and attached to the drawer like many other knobs with two screws that are hidden by the knob itself.  Once attached to the drawer, the opener of the drawer slides their fingers upwards under the knob, allowing for an easier way to open the drawer, especially for those people who are frail or have trouble gripping onto objects, such as standard circular cabinet knobs. Another creative options we’ve seen people use is to take objects that aren’t necessarily cabinet knobs and to use them for that purpose.  For instance, some coat hooks, wire designs, and other objects can be used as knobs.

There are so many different cabinet knob designs available – easily running into the thousands – that it can be difficult to decide which is best suited to the cabinet in question.  Thinking about functionality first and then aesthetics, the knob should not look out of place on the cabinet (therefore not making the cabinet looking out of place in the room) and should finish off the piece of furniture fantastically.