Style Your White Kitchen Cabinets with Colorful Hardware
White kitchen cabinets are a popular choice for their clean, light, and airy aesthetic. But all-white kitchens can also look a bit plain if not styled properly. One of the easiest ways to inject personality into ubiquitous white cabinetry is by outfitting them with colorful hardware in attention-grabbing hues.
Hardware is an inexpensive way to completely transform the look of white kitchen cabinets. Swapping out basic silver knobs and pulls for ones in bold shades adds an unexpected pop of color. The right hardware can create vintage flair, rustic charm, sleek modernity, or glamorous drama in an all-white kitchen. Don't underestimate the impact small details can have!
Matte Black Hardware Creates Striking Contrast
One of the most dramatic options for hardware against white cabinets is matte black. The deep, dark finish looks especially modern and edgy against a crisp white backdrop. Matte black has an industrial, factory-chic vibe that can add welcome edge to a minimalist white kitchen.
When incorporating matte black hardware in an all-white kitchen, first consider the overall aesthetic you want to achieve. Lean into matte black's modern, sleek properties by pairing it with stainless steel appliances, concrete or wood countertops, and pops of color. Or soften the look by adding warm wood accents, pendant lighting, and plants for an urban loft style.
Oil Rubbed Bronze for Rustic Warmth
While oil rubbed bronze may seem an unexpected choice with white cabinets, it can actually create a beautiful, unique look. The enriching process gives bronze a dark, aged patina with warm undertones. Oil rubbed bronze offers a pop of color and plenty of rustic, vintage character against crisp white cabinets.
The rich brownish tones of oil rubbed bronze bring out the brightness in white cabinets, making them feel special and personalized. It exudes an old-world, Tuscan feel. This type of hardware pairs especially well with exposed wood beams, natural stone counters, and wrought iron accents. Lean into its rugged, antiqued look by adding woven textures, enamelware, and vintage finds.
Brass Hardware Adds Timeless Elegance
For a classic, timeless look, brass hardware positively glows against white cabinetry. The warm, yellow-gold tones ranging from muted antique brass to brilliant polished brass add a note of sophistication.Brass strikes an ideal balance between feeling traditonal yet still modern.
Brass hardware straddles both traditional and contemporary kitchens. Lean into its traditional side by selecting vintage-inspired handles and pairing with marble counters and glass cabinet accents. Play up the contemporary appeal of brass by opting for minimalist bar pulls in a mix of metals and finishes.
No matter your kitchen's style, always look for ways to echo the warmth of brass throughout the space. Incorporate brass lighting fixtures, barstools, and accessories layered on open shelves. The repetition creates real depth and dimension.
Unlacquered Brass Develops Unique Patina
One brass option that looks especially beautiful against white cabinets is unlacquered brass. Without a protective coat, unlacquered brass takes on a rich, dynamic patina over time. The living finish evolves into a spectrum of vintage golden hues that pop against white.
Unlacquered brass hardware infuses white kitchens with undeniable character and a sense of history. It exudes timeworn appeal, making it right at home in vintage-inspired spaces with exposed brick backsplashes, marble counters, and subway tile. Pair unlacquered brass knobs and pulls with black grout, black window frames, and pendant lighting for eclectic style.
Polished Nickel for a Classic Metro Look
No hardware color is more clean, cool, and versatile than polished nickel. Its soft, silvery sheen excels at bridging traditional and modern kitchens alike. Polished nickel creates a transitional look against white cabinets, feeling open, airy, and serene.
One tip when using polished nickel hardware is to coordinate accessories and fixtures in a matching nickel finish. For example, select nickel oven pulls, faucets, lighting, and barstools for a cohesive contemporary feel. Use polished nickel hardware to match stainless steel appliances for a sleek, pulled-together kitchen.
Mix Metals for Eclectic Style
While choosing one consistent metal finish looks great, don't be afraid to get creative and mix metals in your kitchen hardware. Combining brushed black, polished brass, satin nickel, and aged bronze hardware can make for an eclectic, personalized look.
When mixing metal finishes, vary textures and sheens to prevent a hodgepodge effect. Try pairing smoother nickel with rougher wrought iron, or modern matte black with a vintage brass. Just be sure to repeat at least one finish throughout the kitchen. The most cohesive look mixes no more than 3 complementary metals.
Gold Hardware Adds Glamour and Shine
Few colors convey luxury and glamour quite like gold, especially paired with pristine white kitchen cabinets. Gold hardware in both bright polished and more muted brushed finishes adds a dramatic, eye-catching element. The contrast makes cabinets feel like a gallery backdrop worthy of displaying treasured dishware.
For a bold, maximalist take, opt for true gold hardware against white Shaker-style cabinets, marble counters, glass cabinet accents, and crystal pendant lighting. Or impart restrained glamour with brushed champagne gold hardware, open shelving, and gold geometric patterns stenciled on cabinets.
Glass Cabinet Hardware for Subtle Style
An alternative way to add refined detail without dramatic color is by choosing glass cabinet hardware. Frosted and clear glass knobs and pulls let the contents of glass-front cabinets shine while introducing subtle style.
Glass hardware enhances the light, ethereal quality of an all-white kitchen. For a minimalist look, select nearly invisible clear hardware and pair with hardwood floors and natural fiber rugs. Frosted glass hardware in geometric shapes can also complement modern spaces with clean lines and high contrast.
When dealing with an all-white kitchen, sometimes you just need that pop of contrasting color. Instead of taking on the project of repainting cabinets, start simple by swapping out mundane hardware for ones in hues that excite you. Matte black, brass, gold, and beyond all breathe new life into ubiquitous white cabinets.
Don't stop there--look for creative ways to complement your new hardware with appliances, lighting, textiles, and accessories in coordinating finishes. The devil is in the details. So be bold and have fun finding unique color combinations that showcase your personal style.