Cup Handles Buying Guide
Posted On: Nov 9, 2022
Categories: Cup Handles
Cup Handles Buying Guide
If you’re perusing interior hardware for your new kitchen, or an upcycled piece of furniture, cup handles may be one of the options you’re considering.
Cup handles for drawers and cabinetry were once reserved for period, traditional properties that demanded exquisite aged metal detailing for a timeless look.
In recent years there has been a huge resurgence in cup handles in interiors. They’re now a piece of cabinet hardware that can be appreciated from traditional and farmhouse homes to modern interiors.
They have an air of stylish elegance to them, and their wide range of metal finishes allows you to match with your existing hardware details for style cohesion.
Looking for that perfect cup handle that matches your interior aesthetic? Our cup handles buying guide will arm you with everything you need to know to help you choose the perfect cup handles for your chosen style, and needs.
Cup Handles Buying Guide
Before we get stuck into different types of cup handles there’s a few things to consider that will help with your decision.
Interior Design Scheme
Firstly, what type of decor scheme does your home carry? Is it modern, traditional, farmhouse or an amalgamation of a few different styles?
The type of interior design scheme you have is going to have a strong influence on the types of cup handles you choose.
A large part of this is to do with the metal finishes. For example, polished chrome was an indicative finish during the Art Deco period, but it would look out of place in a Farmhouse kitchen. As we delve deeper into this blog, we’ll give a full roundup on the finishes and what decor styles they are best suited to.
Metal Finishes
Whilst your interior decor style should lead the way in this instance, the types of metal finishes that already run throughout your home should be considered.
Mixing metals throughout interiors has always been frowned upon because it can cause clashing.
Whilst this can and will happen if not executed correctly, mixing metals in interiors today actually adds more visual interest. To nail this, ensure you have one dominant finish, and intersperse the additional finish throughout your home.
Different Styles
Whilst cup handles carry a similar style, there are some variations that may impact your decision.
At Oak & Forge we also have square cup handles for a more Art Deco influence, smooth cup handles and those with intricate details. The final details do really come down to personal preference and design needs.
Now you know what things to consider, let’s take a look at our cup handles.
Farmhouse Cup Handles
Best types of finishes: antique & polished brass, antique iron & pewter.
Cup handles work so well in a farmhouse setting as metal finishes contrast beautifully with neutral, light cabinetry which you usually see in farmhouse kitchens.
From antique iron to polished brass cup handles, these are popular metal finishes for a farmhouse kitchen that will break up the monotony of colour on kitchen cabinets, adding extra visual interest to the space.
Our Raven Cup handle is a true beauty, with an antique iron finish and delicate scallop detailing, this traditional cup handle adds instant timelessness to a farmhouse kitchen. Why not match with existing antique iron finishes in your home or mix with other metals for an interesting look.
Farmhouse style works with a range of metal finishes, depending on your chosen end style.
Antique iron is great as it lends that rustic feel to a space, whilst a polished brass or antique brass finish like this Arts & Crafts Pull Handle would add the perfect finishing touch to any project within a farmhouse interior.
Modern Cup Handles
Best types of finishes: antique & polished brass, antique iron & matt black.
A modern design aesthetic is characterised by clean lines, monochromatic styles, and also works well with incorporating older pieces of furniture into a design scheme too.
Black is commonly seen throughout modern interiors because black accents provide that grounding influence in a room. Often something as simple as interior hardware, cup handles, sockets & switches and chair legs is enough to deliver this modern aspect in an interior.
When it comes to cup handles you can take it a few different ways. Black and antique iron are great metal accent finishes, whilst brass/gold is a popular choice in modern interior design schemes.
The Taunton Pewter Cup Handle embraces those simplistic clean lines, with a beautiful antique finish that looks beautiful in a modern interior for a defining accent.
The Arts and Crafts Cup Handle in matt black is a match made in heaven for a modern interior. Introducing black doesn’t have to be scary in an interior, when introduced subtly it provides a sleek, sexy and stylised interior that works with you.
Art Deco Cup Handles
Best types of finishes: Polished brass and polished chrome.
Art deco interiors are characterised by bright colours, geometry and decadent detail work. It really was a time of flamboyance and demonstrating this throughout an interior.
The metal finishes that won during this era were polished chrome/stainless steel and brass. Polished chrome is highly reflective which adds opulence and decadence to an interior.
The Art Deco Cabinet Cup Pull Handle at Oak & Forge is part of our Art Deco Collection. It features clean lines and is available in 6 different finishes which can be appreciated in an Art Deco interior. Both polished chrome and polished brass are indicative finishes of this time, bringing an air of elegance and riches to a set of drawers,
Moving away from a more geometric cup handle, our ‘Hartland’ Cup Handle Square Back will introduce a dose of glamour to an interior, this cup handle in polished brass adds an exquisite dimension to a drawer, cabinet or kitchen.
Traditional Cup Handles
Best types of finishes: antique brass, brushed chrome, antique iron.
The types of cup handles that work well in traditional, period interiors do somewhat crossover to Farmhouse, and industrial style interiors too.
Brass, chrome and antique iron are just a few finishes that work well in a traditional interior. There’s also a strong focus on intricate, beautiful detailing that can be appreciated in properties such as these.
This Fancy Slim Handle In Antique Brass is exquisitely designed with a serious wow factor. It looks equally beautiful on a kitchen cabinet to an upycled piece of furniture.
Larders and pantries have seen a huge resurgence this year, with many adding these once dated rooms back into their homes.
This traditional aspect can be appreciated in both traditional and more modern interiors. One cup handle that is perfect for use in a pantry is our Label Frame Cup Handle, Complementary to many pieces of furniture, a label frame cup handle like this works incredibly well in a pantry room where you may have multiple drawers filled with different items that need to be labelled.
There’s so much to love about this cup handle, it’s fabulously classical in style and adds instant authenticity to an interior.
Hopefully this has armed you with all the knowledge and inspiration you need to pick the best cup handles for your home. If you enjoyed reading this post you might also enjoy the following blogs;
The Best Farmhouse Kitchen Knobs & Handles
Explore our full range of Cup Handles at Oak & Forge for plenty more inspiration.