You can have a cove edge routed on the back of the doors to make a recessed area for your fingers. However, I would expect the finish to wear out in that area much sooner due to the oils and dirt on fingers.

A simple window sash lift mounted to the door might work. Are these upper or base cabinets?

thanks for the reply. these are small uppers and one sink cabinet.

You may want to go with finger pull hardware just to give you something to grab.

Would something like this work? We used these on all our cabinets....on the top of the door for lower cabs (sink) and on the bottom of the door for upper cabs.

Here is a link that might be useful: Finger pulls

Thank you GWers! Once again you come through. :)

My friend has the "routed out" kind of finger pull shape on her cabs, which are custom bordeaux-stained cherry. She has had them for 7 years, and I haven't seen any problem with the finish around that area. Of course, I don't know if she touches them up with scratch cover or the like, and they are only used by two adults, so they don't get as much wear as in a larger family.