Textured vs. Smooth Cupboard Handles | French Furniture Fittings

When selecting cupboard handles, you’re choosing something that’s going to be used frequently so it needs to be hardwearing. You’ll likely be using kitchen handles in a space near food, so hygiene is an important consideration. Still important, though last in line after these two, is aesthetic. Finish and design are subservient to use every time.

Textured Cupboard Handles: Character, with compromises

Textured handles offer an undeniably great look, promising to inject personality and a tactile experience. They invite touch and can serve as a distinctive design statement. They can provide a better grip and cover dirt and imperfections more effectively. Therein also lies their inherent problem – they are difficult to clean and can store germs and other nasties very well, leading to an unwanted disease vector in the house if you’re not extremely careful. Their rugged texture can also be their undoing, with elaborate finishes and jagged edges more likely to catch, snag, or wear over time.

In total transparency, we don’t think that textured handles are a particularly good option once all factors are considered, and are more of a design-led trend than a practical solution. We believe that form should follow function, and that a textured handle works the other way around!

Smooth Cupboard Handles: Practical and Elegant

Smooth handles are an understated choice, with both elegance and practicality. Their more straightforward design belies a wealth of practical advantages, and allows for a host of beautiful options. A smooth finish is of course a very, very broad category, with everything from brushed, coated, polished or aged to choose from.

Firstly, these styles make for effortless cleaning, offering no refuge for dirt or grime. A simple wipe with a damp cloth and mild cleaner is often all it takes to thoroughly sanitise them, ensuring a consistently clean and hygienic environment. Their simplicity also leads to greater durability, with less to go wrong and with fewer places for tarnishing chemicals to hide. Their sleek, uncluttered appearance also plays nicely with a huge range of interior styles, providing a classic look that is as pleasing ergonomically as it is to the eye.

Everything has a downside of course, and smooth handles are no different. They are perhaps more prone to show smudges and fingerprints, and provide a less tactile surface to grab hold of. If you do want something that looks more intricate for a particular look, then there are some things that a smooth style won’t provide.

Consider not just the initial visual appeal, but also the day-to-day realities of living with your chosen hardware. The longevity of the finish and the effort put into maintenance are key factors when designing a house to actually be lived in. We think that smooth cupboard handles are the clear winner, offering a combination of features that can’t be beaten – which is why it’s what we sell!

Explore our range of high-quality fittings, and you’ll find flexible, elegant and long-lasting hardware that will act as the perfect finishing touch for your home.

Practicality and Style

While the textured cupboard handles certainly have an appeal, a balance sheet of functionality, longevity and hygiene makes smooth handles as the better choice for the majority of homes. Their inherent ease of cleaning translates directly into superior hygiene, coupled with their enhanced durability and versatility makes them a clever choice.