To choose hardware and handles for a hallway shoe storage unit, start with how the unit is used rather than how it looks. In a narrow entrance, choose low profile handles, finger pulls or push to open fronts that will not catch on bags and sleeves. Pick a grip that is easy to use with full hands, a finish that copes with grit and damp, and a size in proportion to the door or compartment. Then coordinate the finish with other metal in the hallway, such as hooks, the mirror frame and the door furniture, so the space feels connected.
Handles are touched more often than almost anything else in the home, and on a shoe unit they also have to work with tilting doors and compartments that open at different heights. Whether you are choosing a new piece from our modern shoe storage cabinets UK range or updating an existing one, the guide below covers what to consider.
A hallway is not like a kitchen or bedroom. It is a passage that people walk through with coats, bags, shopping and pushchairs, often in a hurry. Any handle that projects from the face of a cabinet becomes something to bump into.
Measure the clear width of the corridor in front of your shoe unit. If it is generous, you have a wide choice of hardware. If it is tight, projection matters a great deal, and the deeper the cabinet, the more those extra centimetres count. Thinking about the hallway as a whole, including other pieces from our modern hallway furniture UK range, helps you see how much room you really have.
A straight bar fixed at both ends is easy to grip and suits modern designs. On tilt out compartments, a horizontal bar near the top edge gives good leverage. Choose slimmer bars with a modest projection in tight hallways, and avoid sharp square ends that catch clothing.
Round or square knobs project from a single point and suit traditional and Scandinavian styles. They are easy to fit and to replace. In a narrow corridor, a small, low knob is less intrusive than a long bar. On tilting doors, a centrally placed knob near the top gives a natural pull.
Also called bin pulls, these curved shells are pulled from below. They suit period and utility inspired looks and work well on drawers. They are less convenient on doors that open sideways but entirely practical on tilting compartments.
A soft leather pull adds warmth and texture, particularly on oak and walnut. Because it is flexible, it barely catches on anything, making it a practical choice for busy entrances. Leather does darken with handling, which many people find attractive.
A groove or recess routed into the top or edge of the door replaces the handle entirely. The front stays flush, which is very helpful in a narrow hallway, and the look is clean and modern. The groove can gather dust, so it needs a wipe now and then.
Press the door and it springs open. With no handles at all, push to open fronts are the slimmest option and suit high gloss and minimal designs. They can be less convenient with full hands and may open accidentally if knocked by a bag, so think about where the unit sits.
Shoe storage often uses tilt out compartments, which hinge at the base and tip forward. These need a handle near the top edge, so you can pull with a natural motion. A handle placed too low gives poor leverage and makes the compartment awkward to open.
Standard side hinged doors usually take a vertical handle or a knob near the opening edge, positioned at a comfortable height. Drawers suit horizontal bars, knobs or cup pulls centred on the front.
On a tall unit with compartments at several heights, consistent hardware placement keeps the front looking orderly. Align handles in a straight line where the design allows.
Warm and soft, brushed brass works beautifully with walnut, oak and painted cabinets in green, blue or cream. Unlacquered brass develops a patina with use, while lacquered brass stays brighter.
Crisp and graphic, matt black suits white and grey cabinets, light oak and industrial styles. It hides fingerprints well and pairs easily with black hooks and mirror frames.
Bright and reflective, these suit high gloss cabinets and contemporary homes. Polished finishes show fingerprints, so they need occasional wiping.
A practical, understated option that resists marks and suits most modern cabinets.
Turned wooden knobs or wooden bar pulls in a matching or contrasting timber give a natural, crafted feel. They are warm to the touch on cold mornings.
The cabinet material guides the choice. Our modern wooden shoe storage cabinets UK often pair well with brass, black or leather, while high gloss shoe storage cabinets UK sale designs tend to suit slim chrome, steel or handleless fronts.
Proportion is as important as style. As a general guide:
Before fitting new hardware, mark the position with masking tape and live with it for a day or two. Check the handle does not clash with the cabinet next to it, the skirting or the radiator, and that it does not catch on the door frame when compartments open. Projection also affects how much clear corridor remains, which our guide to hallway furniture depth and corridor clearance in UK homes explains in more detail.
The hardware you do not see matters just as much. On tilt out compartments, the pivot and stop mechanism determines how smoothly the door moves and whether it stays open while you choose a pair. On side hinged doors, soft closing hinges reduce noise and wear. On drawers, smooth runners make daily use easier.
When choosing a new unit, open each compartment several times. It should move evenly, stop firmly and close without slamming. When updating an older piece, replacement hinges and stays are often available in standard sizes, though it is worth measuring the existing parts carefully first.
A hallway feels more resolved when its metal finishes relate to one another. That does not mean everything must match exactly. A common approach is to choose one main finish, such as brass or black, for handles, hooks and the mirror frame, and allow the front door furniture and light switches to remain as they are if they are a neutral finish.
If your door knocker and letter plate are chrome but you love brass handles, you can still make it work: repeat the brass in two or three other places, such as hooks and a picture light, so it reads as a deliberate choice.
Hardware that suits one person may not suit another. Children find knobs and leather loops easy to grasp, while very small finger pulls can be fiddly for them. Older relatives, or anyone with stiff hands, usually find a generous bar handle easier than a small knob, because it can be pulled with the whole hand rather than the fingertips. If a household includes someone with limited grip, a longer bar on each compartment is a thoughtful choice.
Consider gloves, too. In winter, people often open the shoe unit before taking off their gloves, and a handle that needs a precise pinch becomes awkward. A pull with space behind it for several fingers is more forgiving.
Replacing handles is one of the easiest ways to refresh a shoe unit. Measure the distance between the screw holes on the existing handles, known as the centres, and look for new handles with the same spacing. If you choose a different size, you may need to fill old holes, which is easier on painted cabinets than on wood or gloss.
Check the screw length too. Doors vary in thickness, and screws that are too long can poke through to the inside, where they may scratch shoes. Most handles come with standard screws, and longer or shorter ones are easy to find.
Hallway hardware handles grit, damp gloves and cold hands. Wipe handles occasionally with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry them. Avoid abrasive cleaners on brushed and plated finishes. Leather tabs benefit from an occasional application of leather balm. Tighten screws once or twice a year, as handles used every day can gradually loosen.
We bring together shoe storage units in wood, high gloss and painted finishes, with a variety of handle styles, at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Low profile options such as finger pulls, leather tabs, small knobs or push to open fronts reduce the risk of catching bags and sleeves.
Yes. Measure the distance between the existing screw holes and choose new handles with the same spacing to avoid drilling.
Brushed brass, matt black and leather all suit oak well. Choose based on whether you want warmth or contrast.
They are slim and tidy, though they can open if knocked. They suit units in quieter spots rather than right beside the door.
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