Kitchen Cabinet Hardware Ideas to Achieve Your Dream Space
Is your kitchen in need of a face lift but you're not ready for a full remodel? One of the easiest and most budget-friendly ways to update the look is by switching out the cabinet hardware. From knobs and pulls to hinges and beyond, cabinet hardware offers plenty of potential to elevate your space.
Types of Cabinet Hardware
The first step to selecting beautiful new hardware is deciding which types best suit your needs. The main options include knobs, pulls, and hinges.
Knobs
Cabinet knobs are attached by a single screw through the center and feature a round, decorative design. Choose from styles like traditional, modern, sleek, ornate, or novelty knobs to complement your cabinets.
Consider the size - standard sizing for kitchen cabinets is generally between 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches. Oversized or petite knobs can make a statement, but ensure they are appropriately scaled.
Popular materials include metal, glass/crystal, porcelain, marble, wood, ceramic, and more. Metal and ceramic knobs are very durable, while glass adds a touch of elegance.
Pulls
Cabinet pulls come in a range of lengths, shapes, and styles. Bar pulls and appliance pulls are two common options:
- Bar Pulls: Straight metal handles installed horizontally on cabinets or drawers. The sleek style works well for modern designs.
- Appliance Pulls: Long handles meant for large appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, and ranges. The substantial size makes a striking visual statement.
When selecting pulls, pay attention to the sizing and placement. Allow adequate hand clearance with about 1.5 inches of space between pulls. Install pulls evenly across cabinets for symmetry.
Hinges
While often overlooked, cabinet hinges play a critical role in functionality. Standard hinges allow about 170-degree swing, while specialty hinges improve access.
- Hidden Hinges: Conceal hinges within cabinet boxes for a streamlined, modern look.
- Soft-Close Hinges: Cushion the closing motion to prevent slamming and rattling.
Consider noise reduction and ease of access based on your needs. For example, households with small kids benefit from soft-close hinges to prevent pinched fingers.
Popular Cabinet Hardware Styles
Now that you know the key hardware components, explore options to create your signature kitchen style.
Black Hardware
Black cabinet hardware offers a classic, versatile option suitable for both traditional and contemporary kitchens. Opt for black knobs and pulls in matte, forged iron, powder coated materials, and more.
| Benefits | Considerations |
|---|---|
| - Pairs nicely with any cabinet color | - Visible fingerprints on glossy black |
| - Creates a contemporary vibe | - Can show scratches over time |
Go bold with black hardware against crisp white cabinets or allow black pulls to subtly blend in against dark espresso cabinets.
Brass Hardware
Nothing imparts vintage kitchen charm quite like brass hardware. The hint of glint and warmth plays well with white, gray, blue, and even black painted cabinets.
With brass pulls, knobs, and fixtures, opt for a subtle brushed brass finish or make a bolder statement with polished or antique variations. Mixing brass across kitchen hardware and lighting creates a cohesive, upscale style.
Modern Hardware
For contemporary appeal, fuss-free stainless steel hardware has you covered. Brushed stainless steel bar cabinet pulls create a subtly sleek statement. Pair with hidden hinges on frameless cabinets to continue the modernist aesthetic.
Or go futuristic with the latest smart cabinet technology like self-opening drawers, integrated LED lighting, or even fingerprint scanning cabinets to securely access items.
Customized Character Through Mix-and-Match
While matching hardware suits more traditional kitchens, many designers advise mixing metals, styles, and finishes on cabinet hardware instead. The eclectic blend adds personalized character.
When mixing, maintain balance to prevent the room from feeling too busy. For example, choose one dominant style like modern stainless pulls and integrate a few special hand-picked ceramic knobs scattered throughout for pops of contrast.
Vintage Finds
Beyond standard big-box offerings, specialty hardware shops and antiquing supply treasures waiting to be discovered. Keep an open mind and flex creative muscles to re-imagine unique second-hand finds like dainty glass doorknobs or industrial pipe fittings as kitchen cabinet hardware.
Salvaging and repurposing vintage items as knobs injects warmth, nostalgia, and a timeworn patina into a kitchen. For those lacking in patience for hunting items, Etsy artisans also create custom hardware cast from antique molds.
DIY Options
Why stop at buying hardware when you can make it yourself? DIY-savvy homeowners tackle projects like upcycling porcelain knobs from old dresser drawers or giving dated brass fixtures new life with spray paint.
Get the kids involved for a fun weekend activity; painted hardware covered in their tiny handprints personalizes the kitchen with love.
Additional Hardware Accents
Beyond the ordinary knobs and pulls, extras like decorative backplates and functional built-in features upgrades your hardware from mundane to spectacular.
Backplates
Transform ordinary knobs and pulls by adding backplates - ornamental disks that mount surrounding the hardware piece for extra allure. Choose plates covering part or all of holes for differentiation.
Metal backplates such as rectangular wrought iron, circular brass, or Damascus steel coordinate beautifully with handles in the same finish. Alternately, wood, marble, glass, or ceramic backplates infuse added dimension.
Multi-purpose Functionality
Today's cabinet hardware exceeds basic functionality by incorporating special features like:
- - Bottle Opener: Pop open a brew with built-in openers on knobs or pulls.
- - Hook: Convenient hooks on end pulls to hang towels, utensils or keys.
- - Spice Storage: Pull-out racks behind knobs designed for spices jars.
Integrating everyday conveniences right into the hardware saves space and simplifies kitchen tasks.
Smart Technology
With everything going high-tech, cabinet hardware also steps into the future with integrated smart home technology for added safety, efficiency, and convenience, such as:
Automated Lighting
LED strip lighting inside cabinets switches on automatically when you open doors, eliminating digging around in dark corners. Under-cabinet LED task lighting provides visibility for food prep.
Fingerprint scanning
Biometric fingerprint scanning technology allows access to locked drawers or liquor/medicine cabinets only by approved household members for safety.
Wireless Charging
Cutting-edge inductive charging technology enables wire-free charging for phones and tablets simply by placing devices onto built-in charging hotspots.
Installation and Upkeep
Replacing all cabinet hardware may seem straightforward but also allows potential to feel overwhelmed for DIYers. Simplify the process by:
- - Hiring a handyman to install hardware if complex modifications needed.
- - Using a template during drilling to uniformly align pieces.
- - Adding reinforced fasteners to securely anchor pieces in place.
- - Routinely checking pieces for loose screws or damage.
Protect hardware from grime buildup regularly by using a soft cloth dampened with mild soap and water to wipe pulls or knobs down. Avoid abrasive cleaners or soaking pieces.
Big box stores undoubtedly offer plenty of basic cabinet hardware options, but foodies and design enthusiasts crave something a little more unusual. Boutique specialty shops provide a treasure trove of unique, high-quality hardware.
Lowe's and Home Depot meet most traditional needs, while Etsy artisans create more custom, handcrafted goods. Anthropologie charms with quirky knobs, while specialty retailers like Rocky Mountain Hardware or Rejuvenation would delight design aficionados.
The options for cabinet hardware are virtually endless - ultimately the choices depend on your personal style, budget and functional needs. Hopefully the ideas presented sparked inspiration on ways to introduce beautiful new hardware into your kitchen.
Remember, even the simplest hardware swap can instantly modernize the look of your kitchen. So embrace your design vision and have fun finding creative ways to upgrade cabinet hardware towards achieving your dream kitchen aesthetic.