Drawer Pulls: The One Design Detail Most People Don’t Think About
What to Know Before You Double Up
You’ve picked your cabinets. You’ve picked your countertops. You’re even flirting with a zellige backsplash.
But what about your drawer pulls?
If that question made you blink twice, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Most people don’t give hardware a second thought until it’s time to install it. But here’s the thing: when you’re planning a kitchen renovation on a budget, small details like drawer hardware matter way more than you’d think. And there’s one surprisingly annoying thing I see all the time:
Double drawer pulls.
Cute? Sure. Balanced? Absolutely.
But also… low-key frustrating.
Double Drawer Pulls Look Great (Until You Actually Try to Use Them)
Let me set the scene.
You’re mid-meal prep, sauce simmering, one hand on a skillet, and you need to grab a spatula from the drawer. You reach over, go to pull, and realize there are two pulls, one on each side. And they’re spaced so far apart, you can’t open the drawer without using both hands.
Meanwhile, your garlic’s burning and you’re side-eyeing your own design decisions.
Not ideal.
It’s a common pitfall. On wide drawers (30” and up), designers or installers often default to placing two pulls for symmetry. It’s polished. It’s Pinterest-perfect. But if that drawer lives in a high-use zone (like your prep station, silverware, or spice drawer), you’ll feel the annoyance every single day.
Where Two-Drawer Pulls Actually Make Sense
I’m not here to shame the double-pull lifestyle. They can absolutely work. They just need to be in the right place.
Double pulls make the most sense in areas that are more about aesthetics than everyday function. Think:
The drawer with your holiday linens
The one with your cookie cutters and extra whisks
The far corner drawer where the banana bread pans go to hide
Basically, if it’s a drawer you only open once a week, double pulls are fair game.
You get the look without the daily logistics.
Try Before You Install: The Two-Pull Test
Still unsure? Try this little trick before you commit:
Go to your silverware drawer. Pretend there are two pulls on it, one on the far left, one on the far right. Now open it five times in a row using both hands.
Annoyed yet?
That’s the thing no one tells you. Double pulls seem harmless until you realize you’re constantly juggling a spoon in one hand and trying to make your drawer cooperate with the other.
Kitchen Drawer Pulls 101: Quick Tips on Size + Placement
Here’s the cheat sheet I give my own clients when they ask how many pulls should go on one drawer:
Drawers under 24" → One pull, centered. Always.
Drawers 30–36" → One long bar pull = clean look + one-hand ease.
Drawers 36”+ → Double pulls are fine—just don’t space them too far apart.
High-use drawers → One pull is usually more user-friendly.
Any drawer, any size → Mark it all out ahead of time. Do not assume your installer will “just know.”
A good rule of thumb: if you use it daily, prioritize ease of use over design trends.
What About Knobs vs. Pulls?
Quick detour, because this question pops up constantly.
Knobs are cute, budget-friendly, and fine for small drawers or cabinet doors.
Pulls (especially longer ones) give you more leverage and are easier to grip, especially for heavier drawers.
For wide drawers or lower cabinetry, I’m almost always team pull.
And if you're planning a kitchen renovation on a budget, investing in just a few longer pulls for your most-used drawers can actually save you money by skipping the need for two smaller ones. (Bonus: less to install!)
Hardware Finish Matters—But Function Comes First
Yes, we love a good matte black or soft brass moment. But gorgeous hardware that’s annoying to use? That’s a no for me.
If you’re still early in the renovation process, play around with samples. Grab a pull, hold it in your hand, and test the grip. Does it feel good? Easy to use? Sturdy?
Form and function. Always.
Why Drawer Pulls Are a Big Deal in Small Budgets
Here’s the thing about small details like this: they have a big impact on how your kitchen actually works. And when you’re doing a kitchen renovation on a budget, you don’t want to spend thousands on cabinets and then get slowed down every day by a drawer you can’t open with one hand.
Even if your layout isn’t sprawling or your finish choices are simple, smart hardware placement can instantly make your kitchen feel more functional (and high-end).
PS: Hardware’s Only One Piece of the Puzzle…
Before you obsess over hardware, let’s talk cabinets. Drawer pulls are important. But you know what’s even more important? The cabinets they’re attached to.
There’s one cabinet decision I see people get wrong all the time—and it ends up blowing their timeline or budget wide open.
So before you click “buy” on those dreamy pulls…
👉 Grab my free guide→ Kitchen Renovation on a Budget: Top 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Kitchen Cabinets
It’s quick, clear, and packed with the kind of stuff I wish every client knew before they got too far in the weeds. Whether you’re choosing drawer pulls or planning your full layout, smart decisions now = fewer regrets later.