An easy and inexpensive way to give new life to an old piece of furniture like a chest of drawers, a side table or a wardrobe, is with new cabinet handles.
We’ve had a few questions lately about quirky and unique cabinet knobs so we thought we’d put together a list of our current favorites.
We hope these decorative knobs, drawer pulls and handles will help add that finishing touch to your upcycle projects and home decor.
Some of them you could even try making DIY versions of if you have the time and the materials.
If you make a DIY version of any of these or just straight up use any of these on your projects we’d love to see a photo!
Head here if you are looking specifically for kitchen cabinet replacement handles and knobs.
44+ Unique Knobs & Drawer Pulls
We've divided our picks into themes - have a scroll to find the type of knob that works for your home.
Classic Ceramic
When people think of drawer pulls and knobs for upcycle projects they tend to think of ceramic knobs. So we thought we’d start there.
A lot of the other categories below will also feature some ceramic choices but this is our pick of the classic country style ceramic drawer pulls that tend to be a lot of upcyclers go to’s – maybe you’ll find a new favorite?
We love the gorgeous glossy sheen on these pastel colored knobs. These classic floral design ceramic knobs come in a variety of subtle colors. Perfect for the farmhouse chic look.
This super cute design by Wood N Wax Furniture.
These are the definition of classic with a twist, they have a number of colors including this green and a lovely duck egg blue/teal color that never seems to go out of style. The fossil shape gives them that something a bit different.
These ceramic alphabet drawer knobs are from Art Craft Home and you can get them in a huge range of colors and any letter(s) you want.
Leather Drawer Pulls
The unique designs of leather drawer pulls are nice to touch and add a bit of the gentleman’s club look to your piece of furniture.
This one is a classic handle shape with the tactile texture of leather. Gorgeous!
This one is more. of finger loop style, but equally classic looking.
If you like the style above but you are looking for something to stand out from the background try one of these bright ones below from the Leather Handle Company.
Copper Handles
If you follow the blog at all you will understand how much we love copper (heck who doesn’t these days!).
We love this copper pipe style drawer handle and think it would provide a modern feel to a bathroom vanity or kitchen setting. You could of course also do a DIY version of this if you have the skills and the spare copper pipe!
Our second choice for an unusual copper knob is this lattice style round knob we found on Etsy. We’d love to see these used on a rich royal blue or deep forest green cabinet to really make them stand out!
Classically Modern Drawer Pulls
Sometimes simplicity speaks volumes. This selection of drawer knobs and pulls are all about the impact of classic clean style with a modern edge.
The hexagon shape of the simple bar style handles above by Do Up Shop are on trend now, but the simple styling and sleek designs means they are unlikely to go out of fashion even when cabinet hardware trends change.
These round handles have a classic shape but the echo pattern gives it that modern interest.
Classic Gold Handles
If you are going for gold for the handles on your upcycled piece may we suggest something a bit different?
This set is a bulbous chunky oval shape that feels great in the hand without looking too out there. Think understated luxury.
The geometric atlas style drawer pulls above are definitely not understated. They offer a unique look that is the dare to be different choice in our gold-toned selections.
This set is an intricately embossed set of knobs that is a great option to provide cabinet doors both a modern and old fashioned look. They have a very art deco feel to them.
Animal Drawer Knobs & Handles
Lions and tigers and bears - oh my!
Great for a kids room or in a jungle/safari themed conservatory maybe?
If you love bold, eclectic decor you might find lots of places for these.
These gold safari knobs would be great for a kid's room but could equally work in a grown-up space!
If you prefer subtlety and. a classic shape in your safari animal drawer pulls, the second version by Twisted R Design might appeal to the animal lover in you.
Did you think we forgot about the bears? What about these chunky drawer pulls!
The set of four silver knobs is from Jack Accessories and although we added it in for the trendy bear our favorite in the set has to be that handsome duck. Doesn’t it remind you of a fancy old style umbrella or walking cane handle shaped like a duck? Gorgeous dresser knobs if you can find the right piece of furniture for it.
These are definitely more for a child's room but still plenty classy. So cute!
Star Shaped Knobs
Star shaped knobs can suit a lot of spaces and pieces of furniture.
They are definitely more playful than some other choices. For that reason they can suit a nursery or kids room, but then also be reused in future elsewhere in the house like your craft room for example.
These pretty crackle glaze star drawer pulls are from Everything's Rosie Home. Understated but still unique.
These chunky silver knobs we think would look especially cute in a nursery without being too overly cutesy.
This is the more grown-up version of the siler knobs above. They kind of have a mexican feel to them.
Hand Shaped Knobs & Handles
A hand-shaped handle? Makes sense I guess!
A simpler and more modern hand handle. This one making an ok sign!
Leaf Shaped Handles
These leaf-shaped knobs and handles are uniquee and timeless.
Is there anything more of the moment but at the same time classic as a Monstrea leaf design?
This handle is the perfect accent to fit the current trend but should stand the test of time with its brass effect aged look.
The second photo is from Hooked Pull Me Knob You actually only see the front of these pulls once installed, as they are designed to go over the top or side of your drawer or cabinet door. This is modern cabinet hardware ideal for kitchen cabinets and sideboards.
The Pewter Oak Leaf drawer pull above is made in the UK by Glover and Smith. We love the beautiful sheen and the shape looks perfect for pulling open your drawer to get at all your bits and bobs.
Black and White Knobs & Handles
Classic black and white never goes out of style.
Our first pick for a bit of black and white impact is this cross design wooden inlay knob.
It’s got a wooden base and would look great against a lot of paint or wooden finishes. It’s another one of those choices that has a modern yet classic look.
If you are looking for something a bit more whimsical, perhaps for a subtle Alice in Wonderland themed room, we like these simple but stand out checkerboard handles by Design in Focus
Handles with a Pop of Color
Sometimes you aren’t looking for furniture pulls with a fancy shape or pattern just an eye-popping saturation of color.
Here are our choices for a great addition for all-over color without going crazy on the details or shape.
These come in a variety of shapes and hole spacings to fit any cabinet or piece of furniture.
Bright colors, classic material and shape.
These give more of a matte look but in a wide range of colors.
These fractal-colored wooden knobs from Brook and Birch Co give that hint of color with some rustic wooden charm thrown in. Put these dresser drawer pulls on a white piece to make them pop or match them with a piece in a similar wood to tone down their impact.
Resin & Wood Knobs
You can do amazing things with resin if you know how to use it. We chose two versions of wood and resin unique drawer knobs to feature here.
This drawer pull has a gorgeous shape and would add a pop of understated detail to a white chest of drawers.
This one is a bit of fun and would look best to add a pop of color to a piece that you intend to showcase in its original wood finish.
Glittery and Shiny Drawer Pulls & Handles
All that glitters! In the right room and on the right piece of furniture a bit of sparkle and shine can draw the light and brighten the mood.
We found a few options for this look.
You can find inexpensive clear glass crystal imitation knobs a lot of places, these ones are on Etsy and come in some fun colors.
This one is from Hoopla Hardware who do a lot of square glass knobs like these in different tones and colours that give that bit of sparkle.
These mother-of-pearl knobs come in a range of lovely shapes and all give that bit of gleam.
Aren’t these old faucet style knobs cute?
They’d probably look best on bathroom cabinets or a workshop but maybe you can think of somewhere else they would add that touch of something old?
These are a Card File Cabinet style drawer pull. We could see this looking great on an older piece or a more modern one – for contrast.
Concrete Drawer Pulls
Concrete isn't just for building foundations anymore! It can be decidedly decorative!
These gorgeous on-trend knobs feature a square shape and geometric lines.
Concrete & Terrazzo knobs with a fun hexagon shape.
Holiday Inspired Handles
These choices put us in mind of the sort of knobs you see for sale on holiday in countries like Italy and Mexico.
You can get patterned knobs like these a lot of places these days but they often have the screw top visible in the center which isn’t our favorite look.
`Memories of Morroco anyone? Even if you've never been these give a lovely addition of pattern to any cabinet or drawer.
Or take an Italian holiday every day with these fun handles.
For something a bit different!
Luxury Handles
If only money was no object! These two would be great options for a super high end furniture transformation and a client with expensive tastes.
If you are shopping for yourself these might just be a bit of eye candy inspiration.
The gold half moon handles are from Pushka Homes and are not cheap at £122 for a pair!
These Stephen D Evans creations are gorgeous but definitely not the budget option at just over £100 each!
Have you found some amazing knobs or handles we haven’t featured?
We’d love to see them in situ on your upcycled dresser, cabinet, side table or wardrobe.
Comment below or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/upcyclemystuff.
Top Tips
- If you are replacing existing hardware it is easiest to find a knob or pull that corresponds to the holes you already have drilled in the door or drawer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely, have fun with it. It is probably a good idea to go with variations of the same material, but perhaps in different shapes.
Of course! Paint, gold leaf or decoupage are fun ideas for breathing new life into your existing handles.
If you liked this post and you want to come back to it later, don’t forget to pin it!

Looking for your next upcycle project? Check out our the posts below or visit our What is Upcycling & How to Upcycle post which is a great starting off point with loads of fun upcycling ideas!
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