Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Kitchens Without Handles
Houzz NZ's kitchen guru explains how to get the handle-free look you want – and points out a few challenges too
More kitchen buyers than ever want their kitchen not to have handles: the look is sleek, modern and on-trend. In fact, such has been the uptake in this style of kitchen that it’s outlasted all predictions. Most of us in the industry thought it was a trend that would last two or three years. Compared with soft-close – which is a true function and has massively improved users’ experience of their kitchens – the handle-less kitchen is a purely aesthetic concept. There’s little functional benefit, but the uptake and longevity of this design trend has surprised everyone. Here’s what to keep in mind if you’re thinking of heading in this direction…
Does the design style fit with the theme of my current house? Does the design style fit with my future plans? There are not many Shaker-style handle-less kitchens, for example, so be sure this look suits your house.
Both of these are important questions because most kitchens these days are still viewed as aesthetic masterpieces rather than truly functional work spaces.
Both of these are important questions because most kitchens these days are still viewed as aesthetic masterpieces rather than truly functional work spaces.
Does the colour palette I have chosen fit the design style of a handle-less kitchen? While the first handle-less kitchens were produced in mainly high-gloss white finishes, we have seen wonderful spaces in today’s equally popular satin or matt finishes.
Can I pull off a black colour palette? Do I enjoy cleaning? Do I have children? The truth is that all handle-less kitchens are operated by touch – and that touch is generally by hand. Fingers leave finger marks and, while black looks great in magazines, in reality it is difficult to live with.
Can I pull off a black colour palette? Do I enjoy cleaning? Do I have children? The truth is that all handle-less kitchens are operated by touch – and that touch is generally by hand. Fingers leave finger marks and, while black looks great in magazines, in reality it is difficult to live with.
Function
There are a few ways to create a clean-lined, modern, handle-less kitchen – but truly handle-less function is created with only two options, mechanically or electrically assisted.
Here’s the difference:
There are a few ways to create a clean-lined, modern, handle-less kitchen – but truly handle-less function is created with only two options, mechanically or electrically assisted.
Here’s the difference:
Mechanically assisted
The system works on a push-activation trigger – a gentle push is all that’s required. A synchronisation bar operates in conjunction with the activation trigger to ensure equal pressure is applied on the cabinet face. This is particularly important when the push activation is not in the centre.
Mechanical systems are only available in cabinets with doors, drawers and certain flap-style openings. In the overhead cabinet area, designers often drop the door slightly below the cabinet face so you can pull from behind the door, reducing the need for a handle. This gives the illusion of no handle and also allows soft-close to be added.
The system works on a push-activation trigger – a gentle push is all that’s required. A synchronisation bar operates in conjunction with the activation trigger to ensure equal pressure is applied on the cabinet face. This is particularly important when the push activation is not in the centre.
Mechanical systems are only available in cabinets with doors, drawers and certain flap-style openings. In the overhead cabinet area, designers often drop the door slightly below the cabinet face so you can pull from behind the door, reducing the need for a handle. This gives the illusion of no handle and also allows soft-close to be added.
TIPS: While the mechanical function gives you everything you need in a truly handle-less design style, there are trade-offs with the system. The system requires slightly deeper cabinet end panels as the cabinet front activation area is about 3mm greater than standard handle-operated functions.
The system does not feature lean protection, meaning the drawer or door will open with any pressure applied, whether you mean to open it or not!
The system does not feature lean protection, meaning the drawer or door will open with any pressure applied, whether you mean to open it or not!
The system also requires a manual close since it doesn’t operate with a spring mechanism to pull the drawer in, unlike traditional soft-close systems. Because of this, the system can’t feature soft-close. There are further developments on mechanically assisted operations that feature soft-close, however most of this development is done on the higher-end drawer programs using 4th-generation slide technology. Some of these systems are available now.
Electrically assisted
Electrically assisted motion technology is generally referred to as Servo-drive or Sensomatic. These systems work on the same type of pressure applied to the cabinet face, but unlike mechanical activation, Servo systems use a small electric trigger to push open the drawer or lift up the flap.
The difference between Servo-based systems and mechanical activation is the electric assistance. As well as helping to push out the drawer or lift up the flap, these units also feature soft-close as its closing function. It really is the best technology money can buy.
We’ll leave out hinged doors with Servo assistance – there aren’t any electric options and the mechanical system works just fine.
Electrically assisted motion technology is generally referred to as Servo-drive or Sensomatic. These systems work on the same type of pressure applied to the cabinet face, but unlike mechanical activation, Servo systems use a small electric trigger to push open the drawer or lift up the flap.
The difference between Servo-based systems and mechanical activation is the electric assistance. As well as helping to push out the drawer or lift up the flap, these units also feature soft-close as its closing function. It really is the best technology money can buy.
We’ll leave out hinged doors with Servo assistance – there aren’t any electric options and the mechanical system works just fine.
TIPS: The Servo technology is really very good and in truth there are very few considerations. Activation distances are in line with all standard kitchen hardware and the system features soft-close. The system also features lean protection, meaning the drawer or lift-up will not open even when you lean on it for a while!
The major consideration is price – the technology is expensive when compared with traditional hardware. Power locations are also required in certain areas of the kitchen, meaning you may have the added expense of electricians.
But, as with mechanical systems, Servo systems provide a truly wonderful motion experience for your kitchen and cabinets. And yes, if the power goes out you can still open them: just pull from the bottom upwards!
The major consideration is price – the technology is expensive when compared with traditional hardware. Power locations are also required in certain areas of the kitchen, meaning you may have the added expense of electricians.
But, as with mechanical systems, Servo systems provide a truly wonderful motion experience for your kitchen and cabinets. And yes, if the power goes out you can still open them: just pull from the bottom upwards!
Integration
Both features work on all door, drawer and lift-up cabinets, but there are considerations to made with other hardware.
Appliances with integrated front panels are also very difficult to work into the handle-less design style and dishwashers and fridges, when integrated, require handles. Earlier this year Blum launched Servo-drive Flex to solve this issue – but like all electrical assistance, it comes with a price.
Both features work on all door, drawer and lift-up cabinets, but there are considerations to made with other hardware.
Appliances with integrated front panels are also very difficult to work into the handle-less design style and dishwashers and fridges, when integrated, require handles. Earlier this year Blum launched Servo-drive Flex to solve this issue – but like all electrical assistance, it comes with a price.
Waste bins
Waste bins are available, but only as a drawer-mounted system and there is less choice. Units with the Le-Mans system works well with the handle-less style (as it is independent of the front) but any other hardware systems that are door or front-mounted will not work effectively, or at all, without the use of a handle.
Waste bins are available, but only as a drawer-mounted system and there is less choice. Units with the Le-Mans system works well with the handle-less style (as it is independent of the front) but any other hardware systems that are door or front-mounted will not work effectively, or at all, without the use of a handle.
Space corners
Options like the space corner cabinet solution also require consideration. The system with a normal handle setup uses a collapsing unit in the drawer front. In the handle-less Servo-drive set-up, this front remains rigid and requires a 45-degree profiling of the drawer fronts.
Because of this, certain types of décor materials can’t be used, meaning you have very few options when deciding on your material and colour options.
Clever corner-cupboard storage solutions
Options like the space corner cabinet solution also require consideration. The system with a normal handle setup uses a collapsing unit in the drawer front. In the handle-less Servo-drive set-up, this front remains rigid and requires a 45-degree profiling of the drawer fronts.
Because of this, certain types of décor materials can’t be used, meaning you have very few options when deciding on your material and colour options.
Clever corner-cupboard storage solutions
Alternatives
So what constitutes a handle-less design style? Is it the true absence of handles, or is it the flat clean-lined fronts that draw people in? For each customer there may be many reasons, and for some of those reasons there are some excellent alternative approaches.
So what constitutes a handle-less design style? Is it the true absence of handles, or is it the flat clean-lined fronts that draw people in? For each customer there may be many reasons, and for some of those reasons there are some excellent alternative approaches.
Gola
A Gola handle provides a clean cabinet front while retaining the standard function of door and drawer systems. The handle profile is extruded aluminium and can be finished in a nickel plating, or powder coated to match or contrast with most cabinet fronts.
The handle is rebated into the cabinet sides and runs along the full length of the cabinetry, leaving a small area of cabinet front to hold on to – in other words, the extrusion stays put while the drawer or door front opens away from it.
It creates a smooth, seamless look but, like all things, the Gola handle requires some consideration, especially in the area of under-bench appliances and kitchens with several return angles.
A Gola handle provides a clean cabinet front while retaining the standard function of door and drawer systems. The handle profile is extruded aluminium and can be finished in a nickel plating, or powder coated to match or contrast with most cabinet fronts.
The handle is rebated into the cabinet sides and runs along the full length of the cabinetry, leaving a small area of cabinet front to hold on to – in other words, the extrusion stays put while the drawer or door front opens away from it.
It creates a smooth, seamless look but, like all things, the Gola handle requires some consideration, especially in the area of under-bench appliances and kitchens with several return angles.
Milan
Like the Gola handle, the Milan handle extends your options with clean-lined kitchens. The handle profile is extruded aluminium and is back-fixed on each individual cabinet front – unlike the Gola handle, which works independently of the cabinet fronts.
The Milan handle is available in a natural anodised or nickel-plated finish and can also be powder-coated for matching or contrasting looks.
The Milan handle is generally a cheaper option than the Gola, as it requires less cabinet machining and also has greater flexibility with under-bench appliances and kitchens with several return angles. The Milan handle is the perfect choice for a clean-lined kitchen with a more modest budget.
Like the Gola handle, the Milan handle extends your options with clean-lined kitchens. The handle profile is extruded aluminium and is back-fixed on each individual cabinet front – unlike the Gola handle, which works independently of the cabinet fronts.
The Milan handle is available in a natural anodised or nickel-plated finish and can also be powder-coated for matching or contrasting looks.
The Milan handle is generally a cheaper option than the Gola, as it requires less cabinet machining and also has greater flexibility with under-bench appliances and kitchens with several return angles. The Milan handle is the perfect choice for a clean-lined kitchen with a more modest budget.
Estiva
The Estiva handle works like the Milan handle in that it mounts directly to each individual front – but it is top-fixed rather than back-fixed and the face width is narrow. This creates a very thin feature line on the cabinet fronts. The Estiva handle retains the standard function of door and drawer systems.
Estiva is available in an aluminium or matching and contrasting powder-coated finishes.
As with the Gola, the Estiva has some design challenges – in particular, right-angle corners and doors that open on to each other. The Estiva also protrudes over the cabinet face edge, which also requires consideration.
The Estiva handle works like the Milan handle in that it mounts directly to each individual front – but it is top-fixed rather than back-fixed and the face width is narrow. This creates a very thin feature line on the cabinet fronts. The Estiva handle retains the standard function of door and drawer systems.
Estiva is available in an aluminium or matching and contrasting powder-coated finishes.
As with the Gola, the Estiva has some design challenges – in particular, right-angle corners and doors that open on to each other. The Estiva also protrudes over the cabinet face edge, which also requires consideration.
Artex Kitchen
Profiled fronts
Removing the handle altogether is the idea behind profiling the cabinet fronts. By taking the front and machining a 45-degree cut-back – or a moulded handle on the top of each cabinet face – the profiled concepts works without a fitted handle.
One thing to consider with profiled fronts is that it limits your material choices – they are really only possible with lacquer or timber-veneered cabinet materials. They require a difficult machining process that can’t be replicated easily on laminate, acrylic or thermal materials.
Removing the handle altogether is the idea behind profiling the cabinet fronts. By taking the front and machining a 45-degree cut-back – or a moulded handle on the top of each cabinet face – the profiled concepts works without a fitted handle.
One thing to consider with profiled fronts is that it limits your material choices – they are really only possible with lacquer or timber-veneered cabinet materials. They require a difficult machining process that can’t be replicated easily on laminate, acrylic or thermal materials.
Phoenix Kitchen
Here’s an example of the moulded handle cut-out.
In either case, the profiled option works with a cut-out in the cabinet side and uses a detailed strip (the same or contrasted) to separate each individual front to enable access to the top of the cabinet fronts.
The profiled front is generally the most expensive option due to its high degree of machining work and the material limitations – and it really is a matter of aesthetics rather than a solution to a clean-lined kitchen. But, if you can afford it and it’s the look you like, it can be a spectacular option.
In either case, the profiled option works with a cut-out in the cabinet side and uses a detailed strip (the same or contrasted) to separate each individual front to enable access to the top of the cabinet fronts.
The profiled front is generally the most expensive option due to its high degree of machining work and the material limitations – and it really is a matter of aesthetics rather than a solution to a clean-lined kitchen. But, if you can afford it and it’s the look you like, it can be a spectacular option.
There is no doubt that a clean-line handle-less kitchen is the go-to option for many buyers. After all, it is a current trend, the concept has now lasted a lot longer than anyone predicted, and because of this we are seeing innovative solutions from various suppliers to counteract some of the challenges.
Those considerations still come with trade-offs on various options – whether it be the loss of soft-close, the option of integrated appliances, the use of a handle or the high cost of electric assistance: they all require thought, but finding the perfect balance is really up to you.
TELL US
Would you go handle-less in your next kitchen? Share your opinions in the Comments.
MORE
6 Factors to Consider When Choosing Handles for Your Kitchen Cabinets
How to Make Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinetry Work
16 Knock-Out Kitchen Cabinet Combos
Those considerations still come with trade-offs on various options – whether it be the loss of soft-close, the option of integrated appliances, the use of a handle or the high cost of electric assistance: they all require thought, but finding the perfect balance is really up to you.
TELL US
Would you go handle-less in your next kitchen? Share your opinions in the Comments.
MORE
6 Factors to Consider When Choosing Handles for Your Kitchen Cabinets
How to Make Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinetry Work
16 Knock-Out Kitchen Cabinet Combos
The design style of a handle-less kitchen is clean and modern so a lot of designers believe it is only really suited to clean-lined modern kitchens and cabinets. If you are considering a handle-less design style, you will need to ask yourself some important questions.