As an industrial designer with access to a 3D printer, I recently realized it was time to finally resolve an issue I have been personally challenged by - the sharp and unergonomic cabinet pulls in my kitchen.
Although minimal cabinet pull designs look modern and clean, they are not always the most functional. I have specified these in the past, but since living with them I would think twice before specifying them again, especially in a residential context where you’re likely to lean against the cabinets or walk past them up close. The choice to put these on a fridge is wild - I understand that we wanted to make the fridge as integrated as possible, but this requires significant grip strength on a very thin handle to pull against the fridge seal.
I prototyped and tested several versions of this to determine the dimensions, form, and tolerance and to ensure it increased the ergonomics of these interactions. These custom cabinet pull covers now slide on to the end of the existing cabinet pulls to provide a better grip and to soften the edges of the pulls. The covers are held by tension, do not need any adhesive, and can be removed after installation if desired.
There are two variations - a Universal Pull Cover that can fit on any pull, and a Fridge Pull Cover that is a bit longer and therefore better suited to fridge doors to provide a bit of extra grip against the suction seal. The Fridge Pull Cover comes in two orientations, to accommodate if the handle is on the left side or the right side of the fridge door. These also all come in either black or white 3D printed plastic.
Due to the nature of the cabinet design and the slim gaps between cabinets and drawers, these pull covers can be used in many cabinet and drawer locations, but unfortunately not all locations. These work for: top drawers, independent cabinets, and fridge doors. These do not work for second or third drawers or second or third stacked cabinets, as the width of the cabinet pull cover will conflict with the adjacent drawer or cabinet.
The recommendation is to use the Fridge Pull Cover on the fridge and the Universal Pull Cover in all other applications for a consistent look. However, if you would like a wider handle on a drawer, the fridge pull can be used (but it cannot be used on cabinets with the pull in the corner, as it may conflict with adjacent cabinets). These pulls can also work on bathroom top drawer pulls, if the pulls are the same profile as the kitchen drawer pulls.
These pull covers have been designed and tested only for the pulls in this specific building, and are available for purchase in the SHOP.
If you would like assistance solving a similar issue in another building, please reach out!