Cabinetry hardware can make a huge statement in your home, and the options are endless! It may seem like a small detail, but hardware can greatly impact the aesthetics and functionality of your cabinetry and space. Here, we’ll break down popular hardware options and share some of our designer tips for selecting the right hardware in your space!
Hardware Styles
It’s important to be familiar with the most common types of cabinetry hardware styles that are available to you to help you get an idea of what you prefer. Some common styles of hardware include standard pulls, knobs, edge pulls, flush pulls, ring pulls, and latches. While these hardware styles are readily available in stock-made quantities, they are also available through certain manufacturers as customized pieces. Each type of hardware is available in many different styles, from ornate and detailed, to very simple and sleek.
Cabinetry hardware is available in a wide array of finishes. Some common finishes include stainless steel, nickel, chrome, brass, bronze, copper, iron, and pewter. These finishes can be produced as polished, brushed, matte, satin, oil-rubbed, and more, giving a different visual effect depending on the sheen of the finish. Polished hardware will have a glossy, shiny look, while brushed, matte, or satin finish hardware will look much softer and more natural. Hardware made from natural materials can be lacquered to protect the finish from changing color and appearance over time, while unlacquered hardware will patina, changing in color and appearance with use and time. There are many more hardware material options readily available, including natural stone (such as marble), acrylic, ceramic, resin, leather, glass or wood.
Making Your Hardware Selections
When selecting your hardware, it is very important to think about what you want to accomplish with it. Here are some important things to consider before making your hardware selection.
Color/Tones
Whether you are looking to add a bold contrast of color, or subtly draw out certain tones, cabinetry hardware can be an easy, effective way to impact the palette of your space. Brass, bronze, or copper hardware will add touches of warmth to your cabinetry and space, while stainless steel, chrome, or nickel will contribute cool tones. Unlacquered hardware can add an organic, natural feel to your space and black or Iron hardware can provide wonderful contrast when paired with lighter colors. Mixing hardware metals is a great way to incorporate and blend warm and cool tones in your space, especially if the color palette of your cabinetry and room is an overall neutral one. We recommend mixing no more than 2 metal types in one space to maintain a cohesive aesthetic.
Style
What is the style of your cabinetry and the space surrounding it? While contrast in color, texture, or finish can be a welcome addition to your space, be sure that the hardware you select will blend with or enhance the style you are trying to achieve. For example, if you are you aiming to maintain a contemporary feel in your kitchen space, hardware styles such as minimalist linear pulls, flush pulls, edge/tab pulls, or integrated (concealed) pulls can contribute to a sleek appearance, while more ornate knobs and pulls will impart more traditional flair. If your design is Modern, you would be looking for much more streamlined hardware – very architectural with sharper linear details, possibly integrated flush pulls made from metals or even matching millwork materials. When selecting this hardware, less is more.
Size
Cabinetry hardware is available in many different sizes. It is important to consider the size of your cabinetry when making your hardware selections as choosing something too large or too small for your cabinetry can create a disproportionate look in your space and can impact the functionality of your cabinetry. For example, a dishwasher or refrigerator panel requires a larger pull to ensure that it is easy to open and pairs with the cabinetry proportionally.
Overall Comfort/Ease of Use
As mentioned before, it’s important to make sure that your cabinetry hardware is functional. Cabinetry hardware for spaces like kitchens, bathrooms, and closets will be used on a regular basis. Therefore, it’s crucial to make sure that the hardware you select is comfortable and easy to handle for daily use. We highly recommend obtaining a sample of the hardware you are interested in to see it against your cabinetry and to test out how comfortable it is to grasp.
The bottom line: hardware can make a big impact on your cabinetry, and choosing the right kind will make all the difference! Considering these important details will help you select hardware that will achieve your desired aesthetic for your cabinetry and home.