Cabinet Hardware Design Inspiration
Can cabinet hardware design be inspiring? We think so. When it’s done right, that is. If you’re unsure what you’re looking for in custom home hardware, we’ll walk you through how to pick the perfect cabinet hardware, how to mix and match styles, and the best place to buy cabinet knobs, pulls, and handles.
Choosing The Perfect Hardware
Picking the best cabinet hardware design for your space can be intimidating. First, there are several types of hardware, including cabinet knobs, handles, pulls, and backplates. Then there are all the different finishes, like polished nickel, brushed nickel, aged brass, polished brass, black enamel, oil-rubbed bronze, and more. Once you’ve narrowed your selections in those two categories, there are endless cabinet hardware design options. So, how do you make the perfect hardware selection for your home? Here are a few suggestions to help you as you buy cabinet hardware.
Pick Your Hardware Last
Cabinet pulls, handles, and knobs are a great way to add personalization and flair to a kitchen or bath. While it might be tempting to pick your favorite hardware initially or somewhere along the way, we recommend waiting until the rest of your design is set. Plans, colors, cabinetry styles, lighting, and fixtures sometimes change throughout the design process. It’s best to wait until all of these are set to make final decisions about your cabinet hardware design to ensure it all coordinates and flows.
Consider Your Style
It may go without saying, but just because certain cabinet handles or knobs are trending doesn’t mean you have to use them in your project. Cabinet hardware design should speak to your personal style preferences. They are the accessories or jewelry of your cabinetry. Sometimes we feel drawn to certain individual pieces, but you should always consider if they mesh with your home's other elements.
Coordinate with Other Design Elements
The finishes and styles of the cupboard and cabinet drawer pull you select should coordinate with other finishes and styles in your home. They should blend with the other elements in the room. While you can mix and match finishes and styles, we’ll talk more about this later. It should be done consciously so the design flows and looks intentional.
Think of Functionality
Whether you choose custom home hardware or a more standard cabinet hardware design, you should always be mindful of the hardware functionality. If a hinge is present, like on a cabinet door, for example, a knob is typically used. A pull is generally used if a slide is present, like on a drawer. This is because knobs are easier to open cabinets, while pulls provide a larger area to grab on a heavy drawer. You may want to use cabinet backplates with your handles or knobs. Not only do these add an element of style, but they can protect your cabinets in high-use areas.
Keep it in Proportion
The size of your cabinet pulls and handles should correlate with the size of your cabinet doors and drawers. Large cabinets require more substantial knobs and pulls for functionality and aesthetics, while smaller cabinets need proportional hardware that won’t overpower them.
Mixing And Matching Styles
Once you select a cabinet hardware design, no rule says you must use it on every cabinet throughout your house. You can even mix and match styles in the same room. The key is to do it thoughtfully. Otherwise, it may look pieced together or like you ran out and had to fill in with alternates. Here are a few tips for mixing and matching cabinet hardware styles:
Limit Finishes
While your cabinet bin pulls, lights, faucets, and cabinet knobs don’t need to be matchy-matchy, they should coordinate. If mixing and matching, limit yourself to two, or no more than three, colors or finishes in a room. Don’t pair similar materials (i.e., brass and gold); this looks like an accident rather than an intentional style choice. Also, if you’re mixing metals, ensure each finish is represented in the space at least three times.
Think About the Room Size
The size of your space and the number of cabinets and drawers in the room factors into how many styles and finishes you should use. If there are fewer than 12 cabinets and drawers, it’s best to stick with a single cabinet hardware design. If the room has fewer than 20 cabinets or drawers, limit it to two types of hardware. If the area is larger than that, you can sometimes get away with more if you’re thoughtful.
Uppers vs. Lowers
An easy way to mix and match cabinet hardware is to use different hardware for the upper and lower cabinets. You can incorporate different styles or finishes, but we will repeat it—you must limit your choices to no more than two colors, finishes, or styles in a single space. Too many metals or styles can overwhelm a room and make it feel like patchwork. When you utilize one or two styles, the room becomes cohesive and looks more professionally designed.
Make it Different
If there’s an area you want to highlight, consider using custom home hardware to highlight a focal point in the room. An island or a china hutch are the perfect places to use unique cabinet hardware to create visual interest.
Skip the Trends
In the heat of the moment, it can be tempting to go all in on the latest cabinet hardware trends. We’d encourage you to use caution if you decide to go this route. As we recommend selecting timeless cabinet designs, traditional cabinet hardware will serve you well for years. For example, these Tradition Hardware products are timeless hardware pieces that will last. While it’s true that cabinet hardware is easier to swap out, it is still screwed directly into the cabinet, so going with classic hardware may save you some headaches down the road.
Where To Find Quality Cabinet Hardware
Where do you go when you’re ready to choose your cabinet hardware design? Sifting through the Internet to buy cabinet hardware seems like a hassle. And really, can you buy high-quality cabinet handles and pulls online? And how do you know what the best cabinet hardware is? Is the most expensive the best quality?
The best quality elegant cabinet hardware is made from the best materials, so your search should start with solid brass, stainless steel, and bronze cabinet hardware. While these materials cost more than their low-quality counterparts, you don’t have to break the bank to get what you want. Tradition Hardware was founded to make high-quality, timeless hardware pieces available at affordable prices.
The Tradition Hardware cabinet hardware designs feature classic and elegant styles that will stand the test of time. You can choose between aged brass, polished nickel, or unlacquered polished brass finishes. Tradition Hardware is a trusted source for cabinet knobs and pulls; you can trust them with your project too.
We Make Tough Cabinet Hardware Easy To Buy
Let us help you with your cabinet hardware design selection. Fill out the contact form below and put the cabinet hardware of your dreams within reach.