One of the kitchen trends noticeable on design websites like Houzz or HGTV are handle-less cabinets and drawers. Eliminating handles creates a more seamless and sleek design aesthetic, popular with modern enthusiasts and those who prefer a more contemporary look.

On the flip side, we all know that handles and pulls make it easier to grip cabinet doors and drawers and can add a design appeal all on their own. So, you may find yourself caught somewhere in the middle: To handle or not to handle?

Should Handles Be Included in Your List of Chicago Kitchen Design Ideas?

In order to determine whether handles should make an appearance on your list of Chicago kitchen design ideas, consider the following:

Who's Using Them? Keep in mind that handles and knobs exist for a reason - they make it easier to open cabinet doors and drawers. If you have little ones around, you may want to use handles to promote independence in the kitchen. Similarly, arthritic hands can have a difficult time accessing cabinets without handles - preferably linear handles that can be opened without a strong grip, or with a tool. If you have parents or grandparents that visit on a regular basis, will be moving in at some point, or if you plan to age in place, handles are worth considering for a more accessible kitchen.

Potential Cleaning and Maintenance. Another thing to consider in the "who's using them" department: since cabinets without handles can be more difficult to access, it can mean a faster accumulation of fingerprints and food stuffs on the surface of your cabinets. Without knobs or pulls, hands of all sizes and degrees of cleanliness will be coming in direct contact with the cabinet doors.

Automation Possibilities. Innovative kitchen designs has led to high-tech kitchen accessories, one of which is automated kitchen cabinets. These cabinets open and close using a gentle push system; you gently push and the cabinets open, you push again and they close. Even so, you will still have fingerprints to contend with so this consideration still links back to the "Who's" of the kitchen.

Is There Room For Both? Just as kitchen designs can accommodate a mix of finishes and colors, they can also accommodate a mix of handled and handle-less cabinet doors. In this Northbrook Contemporary Kitchen Renovation, the owners installed handles on the majority of the cabinets, but left some of the uppers "handle-free" for a nice balance.

Is Space an Issue? Handles take up airspace, and even a few inches makes a difference when it comes to kitchen functionality. In this modern kitchen remodel, the owners selected handles for the bottom cabinets but left the upper cabinets handle-less above the sink and stovetop areas. This is a smart move, especially in taller families, preventing painful collisions between foreheads and handles.

Not sure whether to install handles on your kitchen cabinets? Bring your list of Chicago kitchen design ideas to Kitchens & Baths Unlimited. We're happy to provide our experienced and professional opinions.