A Complete Guide to Selecting Finishes for Hardware and Fixtures (2024)

When selecting hardware and fixtures, one of the most important decisions to make is which finish to choose. Just like the color of paint or textiles, metal finishes play a large role in the atmosphere of a room. The below guide will help you pick the perfect finish for your space.

Picking Finishes

With so many finishes to choose from it's easy to feel overwhelmed. How do you go about picking a finish? To help you decide, we suggest you start by asking yourself the following questions:

1. Do you want your hardware to make a statement?

If you would like your hardware to make a bold impact, choose a finish that has a lot of contrast with your door color. For example, black hardware on white doors, or satin brass on navy blue doors. On the other hand, if you'd like your hardware to be more subtle, choose a finish that is similar in color and lightness to your doors - for example, oil rubbed bronze on cherry cabinets. In the image below you will see the same black pulls. In the left image, they are installed on white doors and are much more eye-catching. Installed on dark oak, as shown in the right image, they are much more understated.

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Pictured Pull: V322/B077947-MB

2. Is your cabinetry warm-toned or cool-toned?

Typically, warm finishes look nice near other warm colors and cool tones look nice with other cool tones. Not sure if the finish you're looking at has a warm or cool undertone? Keep reading! We outline the most common finishes below.

Mixing Finishes

One of the most common questions we get is "Do I have to match all the finishes in my space?" The answer is, absolutely not! If you have a stainless steel refrigerator, that does not mean you need to use stainless steel hardware. Mixing finishes is a great way to add interest to spaces and can give your home a more authentic feel. However, not all finishes look pleasing together. The best way to ensure that your finishes blend nicely is to make sure all of the finishes you use have either a warm undertone or a cool undertone. Using cool and warm finishes near each other, often clashes. Some of our favorite finish combinations are listed here:

  • Satin Brass and Black

  • Satin Brass and Bronze

  • Satin Nickel and Polished Nickel

  • Antique Brass and Bronze

  • Antique Nickel and Black

When mixing finishes it is best to have a dominant finish and one to two secondary finishes. For large spaces, make sure the dominant finish is spread through different areas of the room to make the space more cohesive.

Finish Types

Polished Finishes

Shiny and bright, polished finishes have a highly reflective surface. These finishes add a touch of radiance to the room. Polished finishes are particularly popular in bathrooms. To avoid obvious fingerprints, we recommend choosing designs without large flat areas.

Brushed and Satin Finishes

Traditionally, brushed finishes undergo a brushing process to soften the metal's appearance and satin finishes use an electric plating to achieve a similar effect. However, these days, most manufacturers use the terms interchangeably. These finishes do an excellent job of hiding fingerprints and watermarks making them a terrific choice for kitchen cabinet hardware, door hardware, and other high-use hardware.

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Pictured Pull: V322/B072425-SS

Living Finishes

Finishes that will oxidize and change color over time are described as living finishes. Typically, hardware without a lacquer will be a living finish. Most commonly, living finishes will darken, but they can also lighten in areas that are frequently touched. In exterior conditions, living finishes can turn to a beautiful turquoise green.

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PVD or Lifetime Finishes

PVD finishes, also known as lifetime finishes, undergo a high-tech plating process that results in an incredibly durable finish. These finishes are great for exterior use, especially for projects near the coast. PVD finishes are more expensive than standard finishes, but they will greatly extend the lifespan of your hardware. The most notable PVD finishes are Baldwin Hardware's lifetime finishes. These top of the line finishes are guaranteed not to tarnish or discolor for as long as you own the hardware.

Finishes

Polished Brass (Warm Undertone)

Perhaps the most traditional of finishes, polished brass is a longstanding classic. This warm golden finish has a highly reflective surface. When purchasing polished brass, be sure to find out if it is lacquered or not. Unlacquered brass will change in color significantly over time.

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Antique Brass (Warm Undertone)
Antique Brass has the warm golden tones of polished brass but has a darker aged appearance. Antique Brass also frequently has highlights and lowlights that will emphasize details. Use it to add vintage style to your home.

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Satin Brass (Warm Undertone)
Satin Brass has been growing in popularity for good reason. It gives warmth and brightness to rooms while adding charm and character. It also looks great paired with nearby bronze or black fixtures. Satin Brass can vary in color between manufacturers. We recommend seeing it in person before purchasing.

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Satin/Brushed Nickel (Warm Undertone)
If you're unsure about what finish to choose, satin nickel is typically a safe bet. This soft silver finish complements a wide variety of homes. Satin Nickel is very close in appearance to stainless steel, but is available in a much wider variety of design styles. One of the most popular finishes, it is an available finish option for nearly every hardware design.

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Antique Nickel/Pewter (Undertone Can Vary)

Antique Nickel and Pewter finishes are an excellent choice for traditional spaces with cool-toned cabinetry. Details in the hardware are emphasized by this finish, making it a great selection for more ornate pieces.

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Polished Chrome (Cool Undertone)

This shiny finish is a timeless favorite. It is a popular choice for bath and powder rooms. Polished Chrome is also very hardy adding to its aptitude for damp areas like bathrooms.

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Polished Nickel (Warm Undertone)

Polished Nickel is nearly identical to Polished Chrome, however, it has a slightly more yellow tone. It looks best in spaces with other warm colors and finishes.

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Satin/Brushed Chrome (Cool Undertone)

This finish is typically used for commercial applications but can be used for homes as well. It is similar in color to aluminum and has a slightly industrial appearance.

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Gray, Slate, or Graphite (TypicallyWarm Undertone)

Sleek gray finishes are relatively new to the world of fixtures and hardware. This modern take on pewter strikes a happy medium between the softness of satin nickel and the bold drama of black. It is a chic choice for contemporary spaces.

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Polished Copper or Rose Gold (Warm Undertone)

Copper, also referred to as Rose Gold, is an eye-catching finish that will always make a statement. Similar to Polished Brass, be sure to ask if your copper is lacquered as unlacquered Copper will quickly develop a patina. Copper is also available in satin and antique variations.

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Bronze (Warm Undertone)
Bronze is most commonly used for traditional and European designs, however, it can also add contrast and sophistication to modern homes. Bronze has the widest variation of appearances and names. One company's Oil Rubbed Bronze may look identical to another's Chocolate Bronze and one company's Venetian Bronze may look entirely different from another's Venetian Bronze. Because of the huge amount of variation in this finish, we highly recommend seeing the hardware in person before ordering.

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Black (Neutral Undertone)

Black is another finish that has been recently growing in popularity. Black adds drama to cabinetry. Due to its neutral undertone, it also pairs well with nearly every finish and cabinet color.

Final Note

The most beneficial thing you can do when picking finishes is to see a sample on your cabinetry. While browsing hardware online is a valuable resource, the color of the finish can differ substantially from your screen to in person. In addition to color inconsistencies, the quality of the finish is often lost in online images. Seeing the finishes against on your cabinetry will also let you see which finishes best compliment your cabinetry. If you are unable to visit our showroom to see finishes in person, many hardware manufacturers offer samples at a steeply discounted price or have free returns. Just contact us and we can have some ordered for you!

A Complete Guide to Selecting Finishes for Hardware and Fixtures (2024)

FAQs

How to choose hardware finishes? ›

Once you know your desired style, select new hardware finishes that match your vision. You can go for popular choices like brushed nickel, chrome, brass, bronze, black, or even more unique finishes like matte gold or antique copper. Consider the finish's texture and how it compliments your cabinet material and color.

How to choose metal finishes? ›

"Pick one finish to use as a focal point, and incorporate other finishes as accents to complement it." Start with a metal that reflects the overall aesthetic of the room. For instance, satin or polished nickel works well in traditional spaces, while matte black offers a more contemporary feel.

What is the most popular door hardware finish? ›

7 Popular finishes for door hardware
  • Matte black. Matte black is a stylish finish that adds a modern, dramatic touch to a house. ...
  • Satin nickel. Satin nickel has a smooth appearance that hides fingerprints and abrasions. ...
  • Satin chrome. Satin chrome has a contemporary look that complements most styles. ...
  • Polished brass.
Feb 7, 2024

How to choose cabinet hardware finish? ›

To help you decide, we suggest you start by asking yourself the following questions:
  1. Do you want your hardware to make a statement? If you would like your hardware to make a bold impact, choose a finish that has a lot of contrast with your door color. ...
  2. Is your cabinetry warm-toned or cool-toned?

What hardware finishes are timeless? ›

Brushed Nickel

Hardware pieces that benefit from this finish have a high polished tone to them and its silvery tones offer a sense of warmth to one's decor. In regards to kitchen design, this is one of the most appreciated finishes and blends perfectly with textural surfaces or darker furnishings.

What is finishing hardware? ›

Finish hardware is the functional accent item that makes every door assembly memorable. Finish, builders, contract hardware, different names for the same product. Simple things such as hinges and floor stops. Complex things like automatic door openers and electrified mortise locks.

What metal finish is timeless? ›

Timeless Metal Finishes.

Chrome and polished nickel are classic choices that stand the test of time. Their reflective qualities bring brightness and a sense of cleanliness, ideal for kitchen and bathroom fixtures.

What is the cheapest metal finish? ›

Zinc — Like tin, zinc is a readily available element, which makes zinc plating a relatively inexpensive metal finishing option.

Can you mix gold and silver fixtures in a bathroom? ›

You may have heard this unfortunate design rumor about mixing metals, but it's time to dispose of that outdated advice. Combining silver, gold, brass, or iron (just to name a few), is a great strategy for adding visual interest and depth to a space.

What color door knobs are timeless? ›

When it comes to selecting door knob colours that stand the test of time, opt for classic and versatile choices. Polished brass, satin nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, matte black, and polished chrome are all timeless options that exude enduring elegance.

What is the trend in door knobs in 2024? ›

Bronze hardware, known for its enduring elegance and inviting warmth, is becoming a sought-after choice for contemporary spaces. This trend marks a revival of the rich, earthy tones of bronze in door hardware, marrying traditional allure with modern design sensibilities.

What is the best color for door knobs? ›

Color: You'll generally want your floor guide to blend in, so choosing a color like matte black, stainless-steel silver, or white is common. For a fun color pop, choose a color that is opposite the dominant color of your door.

Should light fixtures match kitchen hardware? ›

When coordinating kitchen cabinet hardware, you'll want to make sure it goes well with the finish of your appliances and light and plumbing fixtures. This doesn't mean the cabinet hardware has to match the fixtures and appliances. In fact, the “mixed metal” look can work well depending on your kitchen decor.

Do knobs or pulls look better on kitchen cabinets? ›

Quick Guide: Knobs vs Pulls

When choosing between knobs and pulls for your kitchen cabinet hardware, consider cabinet pulls for a modern, sleek look. Pulls are also a great choice for big, heavy drawers. Opt for knobs for a more traditional feel and for use on cabinet doors.

Should faucets match cabinet hardware? ›

Our team's short answer to this frequently asked question is, yes—generally, your kitchen faucet should match your cabinet hardware. Matching your kitchen faucet to cabinet hardware creates a cohesive look that can be applied in every kitchen style, including contemporary, modern, and traditional.

How to decide on hardware color? ›

The cabinet hardware finish should coordinate with the cabinet color. White cabinets look great with just about any hardware finish, but light- and dark-colored cabinets should be paired with hardware finishes that make the pulls—and hinges if they're visible—pop.

What is the 1/3 rule for cabinet pulls? ›

Pulls come in a variety of styles and lengths, which can prove to be daunting when selecting proportionately sized hardware. Bar Pulls are traditionally measured center-to-center and they should not exceed 1/3 of the length of a cabinet door or width of a drawer.

Does hardware color need to match throughout house? ›

The quick answer is no, they don't, but they should complement each other and blend with the rest of the house. For instance, brushed nickel hardware in a kitchen with chrome lights doesn't work because the finishes look too similar, and they are different styles (traditional vs. contemporary).

References

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