6 reasons why you should choose a handleless kitchen

handleless kitchen with coloured cabinets and copper finishes

(Image credit: Masterclass)

published 22 March 2020

Handleless kitchens are beautiful for their simplicity. With our fast-paced, busy lives, we want our homes to be spaces where we can escape the world (not much choice with that at the moment, obviously...) and feel relaxed, calm and energised.

Handleless kitchens have the power to create all of these feelings, depending on the colour and style you choose. Not only are they sharp, clean and linear by design, but they are so versatile in the overall look they can create.

There are tons of reasons why handleless kitchens are a great option, but we've narrowed it down to six, so check them out and see if it's the kitchen style for you.

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1. Handleless kitchens are the perfect backdrop to a sophisticated space

red handleless kitchen with pendant lights above an island and open shelving — *Arcos super matt kitchen, from £10,000,* *Schmidt*

Recessed floor-to-ceiling storage maximises every inch of your kitchen. This streamlined design can take a bold shade, so don’t be afraid to go for a deep, dramatic colour, for a space that oozes sophistication. Combine with glass pendant lights and matt black accessories for added drama.

2. The simple design means you can go bolder with colour combos

Choose brighter cabinets for your walls and neutral designs for the base level and island to give your kitchen a splash of colour without overwhelming the space. Bring in some wooden cabinets too, for added warmth and texture. We love this warm terracotta shade, for a punch of colour that's striking yet neutral.

3. Tidy kitchen = tidy mind. The fuss-free design lets your mind breathe (and is very hygienic too!)

white handless kitchen with white pendant lights — *GoodHome Pasilla matt white thin frame style, from £1,648 for eight units,* *B&Q*

Fresh white cabinets and clean lines make for an uncluttered look that's ideal for a smaller kitchen. Combine with thin profile worktops and plain tiles to maintain a streamlined scheme. The less visible distractions in your space, the easier it is to focus, so for a kitchen where you can tune into yourself and you senses, handleless is the way to go. Plus, with no handles to harbour germs and flat cabinets that are super easy to wipe clean, it's a great design for keeping your hygiene levels high.

4. Want a vibrant colour pop? Bold shades are best on handleless designs

yellow kitchen cabinets with patterned flooring and yellow kitchen island — *Birch plywood and Formica kitchen in Spectrum Yellow, from £13,000,* *Koivu*

The simplicity of design means colour can take centre stage, and you can get creative with pattern in other parts of your room. Choose cabinets in a vibrant look-at-me shade, such as this sunny yellow, and team with geometric flooring in monochrome tones for a statement scheme. Keeping the walls free of cabinets will enhance the feeling of space.

5. Not keen on the push-to-open mechanism? Choose an integrated design instead

handleless kitchen with cabinets in wood, turquoise and black with yellow bar stools and wooden flooring — *Kitchen in London Plane wood, with cabinets in Lido and Market Mustard, £16,200 for cabinets and peninsular; £3,500 for worktops,* *Pluck*

If you're one for racing round the kitchen at a hundred miles an hour and couldn't bare the thought of a push-to-open design slowing you down, here's a style for you. Square cut-out sections are embedded into the unit design, so you can grab the door without the clunky look of handles. We love how they reveal a pop of colour to draw the whole scheme together, too.

6. Handleless kitchens are the perfect base for any decor style you like

grey handleless kitchen with black frame and wooden flooring in an industrial style — *Clerkenwell gloss kitchen in Dove Grey, price on application, Howdens*

Handleless kitchens are like a blank canvas, from which you can tap into the trend of the moment. Here the black metal framing, pendant lights and bar stools create an industrial look. Team your handleless kitchen with florals and a chunky dining table for a modern country look, or choose soft woods and pared back greys and whites for a scandi style. If you'll want to refresh your scheme frequently, handleless is a great option that'll sit back with most schemes and stand the test of time.

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After joining Real Homes as content producer in 2016, Amelia has taken on several different roles and is now content editor. She specializes in style and decorating features and loves nothing more than finding the most beautiful new furniture, fabrics and accessories and sharing them with our readers. As a newbie London renter, Amelia’s loving exploring the big city and mooching around vintage markets to kit out her new home.