The concept of “ideal kitchen” will be different for each housewife. Some prefer strict forms and discreet colors, while others prefer an abundance of decor, elaborate elements and original solutions. But every housewife values functionality and convenience.
Therefore, when choosing a kitchen set, the practicality of storage systems, which are cabinets, is assessed. They should not only be spacious and have a sufficient number of shelves, but also be easy to open, providing quick access to the necessary kitchen equipment.
Manufacturers offer innovative solutions - kitchens “without handles”. We propose to consider in more detail how practical and relevant this is.
New fashion for kitchen interior design
Modern man strives to surround himself with a laconic space in which there are no unnecessary details. That is why the minimalism style and all its bold interpretations have been in demand lately. Furniture manufacturers are rushing to meet the demand of their consumers and are releasing new lines with very simple designs. Is it convenient to use such pieces of furniture? You can answer this question by highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of a kitchen set without handles.
Complete absence of the usual handles Source komandor-kuban.ru
Smooth facades visually lighten a small room. Where owners are forced to save every centimeter of free kitchen space, furniture fittings protruding beyond the doors pose a certain danger. When it is difficult to turn around indoors, it causes bruises and bruises. Its absence makes narrow passages more comfortable.
Narrow passages are completely safe Source noip.access.ly
When the furniture is arranged tightly, the fittings, parts of which protrude in front of the facades, may catch or rest against the walls when the doors are opened. In such a situation, it often damages the finish and leaves visible scratches or chips on it. Such defects cause even more irritation if they appear on the surface of the façade of a corner-shaped kitchen or refrigerator. When a cabinet has no handles, you shouldn’t expect such “surprises”.
Densely arranged furniture Source pinterest.com
In the kitchen, the handles of the facades constantly get dirty, housewives have to constantly wipe them, and this takes a lot of time. The absence of protruding fittings when using modern systems does not cause difficulties in operating the furniture. Therefore, when there is an opportunity to refuse to use handles, many go for it and purchase kitchen sets without them.
There are several options for solving this problem. The most popular of them are the following.
Corner kitchen without handles Source meblife.ru
Profile false handles “Gola”
This is the simplest, and therefore the most affordable solution. Manufacturers build a special profile into the façade frame. It can be installed on the top or bottom edge, and can be mounted in the side end of the door. Thanks to it, the facades themselves play the role of a handle. The photo shows how this technique works.
Profile false handles “Gola” Source rys.povaxy.ru.net
This choice has its pros and cons. The positive aspects include:
- No vertical seams between adjacent facades. Due to this, the furniture looks neater and neater than a kitchen with mortise profiles.
- Fingerprints on the profile are not so noticeable.
- In order to open the cabinet, you need to hold on to the edge of the facade.
- Profiles with built-in LED lighting are available for sale. It allows you to create original effects.
- Depending on the type of installation, the described fittings vary. This helps furniture designers use different design options for sets. Typically, a vertical profile is used to ensure the process of opening and closing the facade of the upper cabinets, as well as for the pencil case. Horizontal profiles (L-shaped, C-shaped) are used to equip facades located under the worktop.
Convenient handle profile Source mebkuh.ru
The main disadvantage of the false handle “Gola” is the need to pull the door hard. Doing this when your hands are covered in dough, for example, is not very convenient. The profile always has a simple design. Most often these are aluminum inserts with an additional steel coating, black or white inserts that look like plastic, or chrome trim. They are striking in any case. And if the set is incorrectly positioned, any curvature immediately becomes noticeable. To install profiles, you need to make special cuts. They “eat up” the useful space of the storage system. This must be taken into account when choosing fittings of the described type.
Aluminum false handles “Gola” Source www.makdistribution.co.uk
Integrated profile handles type UKW or C
They have a certain similarity with “Gola” profiles, but during installation they cut into the upper ends of the façade rather than into the frame. Visually it looks more aesthetically pleasing. And the next photo only proves this. This profile initially has a length of up to four meters. When making furniture, the craftsman cuts it to the required length. Horizontal and vertical profiles are available for sale. The first ones are used to decorate the lower drawers of the set, the second ones for the upper ones.
Integrated profile handles type UKW or C Source meblife.ru
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in interior redevelopment.
This choice has its advantages.
- Installing UKW or C type profile handles allows you to open cabinet doors without contacting them. This means they will get dirty less.
- The described fittings are an order of magnitude cheaper than the “Gola” profile.
- This option is more practical; it is ideal for glossy facades or dark-colored kitchens.
Practical and convenient design Source hafeleshop.com.ua
The downside is the limited range of designs. Most often, manufacturers produce aluminum fittings with a steel effect. Black, white and chrome profiles are very difficult to find. Therefore, it is not always possible to match the color of the product to the color of the kitchen cabinets.
Note! Products from different manufacturers have different appearances. This feature can influence the design of the kitchen. Therefore, before choosing fittings (if the furniture is made to order), you need to study in detail the entire available range.
Products from different manufacturers have different appearance Source tehace.ru
Push-open mechanism
Using it, you can open kitchen facades by simply pressing the doors, and close them by lightly pressing them with your hand against the cabinet body. The process is very smooth and almost silent. The mechanism can be installed on any cabinet system. Its use helps you completely stop using pens.
Doors close with the touch of a hand Source alvaline.com
Doors without traditional fittings are easier to clean; there is no need to keep the chrome parts clean and shiny. Using a push mechanism, you can open the facades without using your hands. You can press with anything: with your elbows, palms, and even your knee. These are the main advantages.
There are also disadvantages. The main one is that when pressed, the cabinet door only opens slightly and does not open completely. To get the right thing from inside, you will have to perform not one, but two actions. This takes some time.
The practice of using “Push-open” has shown that the set gets dirty even more than when using conventional handles. Their presence takes a toll on itself: when pulling the handle, a person does not touch the facades themselves. Here, in order to open the door, you need to touch it. This is why facades quickly become dirty. When installing the “Push-open” mechanism, it is important to consider that kitchen fronts without handles will open even if pressed accidentally. When the system is installed on a cabinet that slides out, it will take some time until it closes on its own. During this entire period he will be unable to walk. If a person is in a hurry, it will bother him.
To open the facade you need to lightly press on it Source selektor.hettich.com
Features of “handleless” kitchens
Kitchens without handles have been in demand on the market for about 5 years. Handle-free facades are more relevant than ever. Today, convenience and functionality come first when designing kitchens. Yes, they require the installation of additional elements - mechanisms, electric drives, but the cost for this convenience is now quite acceptable.
The beveled edge of the facade with a special recess, the so-called milled facade, can even be found in Ikea.
Surprisingly, facades with hidden handles, or without them at all, save time spent in the kitchen. Even if you have dough on your hands, you can open drawers with just one push of your elbow or knee. Built-in handles delicately emphasize the minimalism of the kitchen.
General recommendations
From all of the above, it is clear that the lack of familiar fittings gives rise to one significant problem: the facades of the furniture quickly become dirty. To solve this problem, experts advise choosing light-colored sets and purchasing kitchen cabinets without handles in white, blue-gray or light gray with a semi-gloss texture. Satin facades with a matte, slightly rough surface are easier to clean.
The most impractical variation is gloss black. You will have to constantly take care of this model. Any fingerprint will spoil the appearance of the product. You can buy such furniture if you can pay for the services of a visiting housekeeper or an apartment cleaning assistant.
Not everyone is mentally ready to completely give up their usual pens. In such a situation, experts advise using a compromise: making the upper cabinets without fittings and equipping only the lower tier with handles. Photos of such headsets show how successful the proposed solution can be.
The top has no handles, the lower cabinets have an integrated profile instead of handles Source twgram.me
Modern kitchen furniture manufacturers like to combine and use several opening and closing systems at once. For example, they equip the upper cabinets with a “Push-open” mechanism, and the lower ones with “Gola” profiles.
Types of fittings systems
There are two completely concealed opening hardware systems:
- TIP-ON from Blum;
- Push-to-open from Hettich.
To open the cabinet, light pressure on the front is required. Closing is also carried out by slightly pressing the facade. Systems are offered that even independently close the door.
The Push-to-open system can be of two types: electrically driven and mechanical. You can also find cheaper analogues on the market. However, experts recommend choosing fitting systems from these particular manufacturers. Their products perform well, are of high quality and will ensure the durability and reliability of a handleless kitchen.
What styles does it suit?
These headsets are suitable for several styles:
- minimalism (plain colors, almost no decor, a lot of appliances), a good option is a white and gray kitchen without handles;
- high-tech (ergonomics in plain, calm colors with “smart” technology);
- scandi (white combined with blue, olive, beige, themed wallpaper, wooden figurines), a good option for a kitchen without handles - white bottom, green top;
- futurism (spectacular, bright, with round facades and decorative lighting, hanging table and chairs).
A white kitchen without handles up to the ceiling visually raises its level. This option is worth considering if the ceiling is low. With a height of 3 meters or more, cabinets are difficult to make even to order.
Advantages and disadvantages
Most owners are interested in the question: is it convenient to have a kitchen without handles? Everyone’s concept of convenience is different, so we suggest evaluating the solution objectively.
| pros | Minuses |
|
|
Alternative options
For those who do not want to give up their usual fittings, there are several additional solutions. Handles may be present, but be very small or merge with the surface - this way the kitchen will be visually light and will meet modern trends.
Kitchens with miniature handles
Stylish mini pens can be round, square, or L-shaped. This is a laconic replacement for classic brackets that are installed on the facades of kitchen furniture.
Typically, mini-handles are installed as close to the edge of the facade as possible so that they are less noticeable. An example of such a solution is the CONCRETE VINTAGE OAK kitchen, made in the color scheme of graphite and wood. The bottom row of solid wood facades here is equipped with laconic metal handles, and the rest of the furniture comes with push-open mechanisms.
What are the advantages of such accessories:
- It looks minimalistic and practically invisible, easily fits into a modern interior;
- Allows you not to touch the façade with your palms, which means the cabinets become less dirty;
- Reduces the risk of getting bumped or caught.
The downside is that mini-handles are sometimes not very convenient to grip due to their size, but this is a matter of habit.
Kitchens with handles to match the facades
These are the so-called “invisible pens”. They are functional, do not differ in size from ordinary ones, but do not attract attention.
Fittings on dark wood-look facades can be painted black, and on light-colored furniture – white, beige or any pastel shade. An excellent compromise if small handles or smooth fronts are inconvenient in your situation.
Question answer
Are the integrated handles comfortable to use?
Milling for an integrated handle depends on the façade manufacturer. Usually the recess is made as convenient as possible for gripping by hand.
What color handle profile should I choose if the kitchen façade is yellow?
Usually the neutral color of aluminum is used, it suits all colors of the spectrum. You can paint the profile in the color of the facade. It's not always possible to get into tune. Then the best option for yellow facades would be to paint the profile white.
Is it possible to install a mortise profile on a wooden facade?
Yes, it's possible. But it makes no sense to spoil an expensive wooden facade. For it there are classic handles with ornaments, ceramics or in the post-modern style with cast iron.
How to install Tip-On yourself?
The easiest way is to select a Tip-On and screw it to the inside side of the case.
If the kitchen is longer than 4m, then how to connect two Gola profiles?
For joining two Gola profile rods, there are special connecting elements on sale. We also sell end caps and corner connectors for each type of profile.
