Handleless cabinets offer a sleek, streamlined look that can amplify the aesthetic appeal of your kitchen. Cabinets without handles utilize innovative mechanisms like push-open, recessed pulls, or edge pulls for easy access. Just like any other type of cabinetry, handleless cabinets can be custom designed to match your preferences and blend seamlessly with your kitchen’s overall design. They are ideal in a modern/minimalist kitchen setting.
Below I’ll run through seven different types of handleless cabinets, explaining their unique opening mechanisms and the design trends that make them a popular choice in for modern kitchens.
Are They Still In Style?
Handleless cabinets are popular due to their sleek and minimalist aesthetic, which complements contemporary interior design styles and are a go-to solution for modern kitchens. The clean lines and streamlined look of handleless cabinets add sophistication, modernity to a kitchen. This design trend extends beyond just the kitchen as we’re seeing more people opt for these sleek cabinets in their bathrooms, laundry rooms and entertainment spaces throughout the home.
Below are the most common styles of handless cabinet doors.
Types of Handleless Cabinets
1. Recessed Bottom Modification
The bottom of each of these wall cabinet has a modification that allows space to open the door without hardware. This modification is called a Recessed Bottom Modification. This gives a clean, consistent look across the face of the design that focuses on the cabinet door front. The recessed bottom allows even the shortest of family members to comfortably reach and open the cabinets. This unique space is also great to integrate under cabinet lighting.
2. Touch Latch- Field Installed
Touch latch allows handleless opening by pushing on the corner where the latch is installed. Touch latch hardware is installed onsite to the cabinet end gable (see picture above). This design only works for hinged doors. Lift up, tilts, drawer and pullouts all use a different system.
3. Touch Latch- Factory Installed
A nicer, but pricer alternative to the site-installed touch latch is the Factory Installed Touch Latch. This feature can be made available on a wider range of cabinets, including: hinged, tilt and lift door cabinets.
4. Cove Door Style
Cove door is engineered with a machined finger channel for easy access (see picture above).
5. Legra Tip-On
Tip-on opens with a touch anywhere on the drawer face and ejects the drawer far enough to grab with a hand to help it open all the way. It’s built into the cabinet and completely invisible. A truly “cool” option for handleless cabinetry.
6. Blum Servo Drive System
The Blum Servo Drive system is a low voltage motor attached on one arm of either a tilt, lift, or bi-fold mechanism. Simply push a bottom corner and the door will automatically lift. To close, use the factory installed switch located on the side wall of the cabinet (see picture above). The Servo drive feature is also available on trash/recycle can pull outs. The pullout can be opened with a slight push on the door’s surface (requires 110 volt outlet).
7. Metal Finger Channel
Brushed aluminum finger cove permanently fastened to the bottom shelf provides finger clearance, and adds extra strength to the width of the shelf. Horizontal rails create a continuous horizontal line across all base cabinets for easy opening with no hardware. This feature is also offered in a vertical rail system which allows the cabinet to be opened from the side of the door.
Buying Handless Cabinets
When it comes to purchasing handleless cabinets, it’s important to consider the quality, style, and price. This ensures that you choose the right product that fits your kitchen’s design and your budget. It’s advisable to invest in cabinets that offer durability, functionality, and enhance the aesthetics of your kitchen. So, make sure to select cabinets that not only look good but also stand the test of time. If you’re considering a switch to cabinets with hidden wood pulls like the Recessed Bottom Modification, consider that wood requires more maintenance than metal. So, take into account factors like your cooking habits, the frequency of cleaning, and who will be using the cabinets. If you tend to be a messy cook or have children, you might want to consider touchless or push style doors that don’t require using your fingertips.
Keep in mind, wood is much harder to maintain than metal, so if you’re looking to switch to cabinets with hidden wood pulls (like the Recessed Bottom Modification) consider things like; how you cook, who’s cooking, and how often you want to clean them.
Retailers like IKEA, Home Depot, and Lowe’s, offer a range of handleless cabinets with different opening mechanisms, styles, and finishes. IKEA, known for its affordable, minimalist designs, offers a wide selection of handleless cabinets suitable for a modern kitchen. Home Depot and Lowe’s also provide a broad range of options and often have in-house consultants to assist with your selection.
For high-end, custom-designed handleless cabinets, consider checking out companies like Bulthaup and Poggenpohl. These brands offer luxury kitchen solutions with a keen focus on design and craftsmanship.
Online platforms like Wayfair have a selection of handleless cabinets and Houzz is a good resource to browse how these cabinets look in their natural setting and then connect directly with the vendor.
DIY Conversion to Handleless Cabinets
For the DIY conversion, you would typically need a conversion kit. These kits generally include the necessary hardware such as push-to-open mechanisms or recessed handles, along with detailed instructions on how to fit them onto your existing doors and drawers. The quality and price of these kits vary, so it’s essential to research and choose one that best fits your needs and budget. If you’re considering installing a automatic servo drive system check out Blum and you can check out this video to get a little more insight on what’s involved.
“Recessed Bottom Modification” is a popular DIY choice due to its simplicity. In fact, it could be a simple as removing the current handle hardware of you cabinet door, filling it, and using a router to provide a space at the bottom of the cabinet for your fingers.
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