How To Choose Kitchen Cabinet Hardware To Match Decor | Cabinet Coatings (2024)

How To Choose Kitchen Cabinet Hardware To Match Decor | Cabinet Coatings (1)

Redecorating your kitchen? Matching cabinet hardware to your kitchen decor can be tricky, but we’re here to help.

When choosing cabinet hardware for your kitchen cabinets, you’ll want to:

  • Stick with your kitchen theme
  • Coordinate fixtures and appliances
  • Decide whether to mix and match pulls and finishes

Need a quote to reface or remodel your kitchen cabinets? Contact us online or call (480) 641-9611 and we’ll send one of our cabinet experts to your home for a free, same-day quote.

Tip #1: Stick with your kitchen theme

If your kitchen is light and modern, ornate black cabinet hardware will look wildly out of place amidst the bright openness.

Make sure to select a cabinet hardware that matches your kitchen theme in:

  • Style. More traditional and rustic kitchens look great with cabinet hardware that has texture and detail. Modern, contemporary and industrial kitchens, on the other hand, pair nicely with sleek, simple designs.
  • Material. 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.

Need kitchen decor inspiration? Get ideas for filling space above cabinets in our blog “How to Decorate Above Kitchen Cabinets: 7 Ideas.”

Tip #2: Coordinate fixtures and appliances

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.

We’ve listed common appliance and fixture finishes and what cabinet hardware finishes they work well with below.

This appliance and/or fixture finish…Goes well with these cabinet hardware finishes…

Black

  • Black (polished or matte)
  • Chrome/nickel/silver (polished or brushed)

Stainless steel

  • Nickel/silver (brushed)
  • Brass/gold (brushed)

Chrome

  • Chrome/nickel/silver (polished)
  • Brass/gold (polished)

Copper/Bronze

  • Copper/bronze (polished or brushed)
  • Black (polished or matte)

White

  • Chrome/nickel/silver (polished or brushed)
  • Brass/gold (polished or brushed)
  • Copper/bronze (polished or brushed)

Trying to coordinate with stainless steel appliances? See the best cabinet colors for stainless steel appliances in our blog.

Tip #3: Decide whether to mix and match pulls and finishes

If it works with your theme, mixing cabinet pull styles and hardware finishes can add a unique touch to your kitchen.

Mixing cabinet pulls

When it comes to cabinet pulls, you have 2 options:

  • Handles: Wide pieces that attach to the cabinet door or drawer with 2 screws, making the pull easier to grab. Handles are more common on drawers.
  • Knobs: Small pieces that attach to the cabinet door or drawer with one screw. Knobs are usually more affordable than handles, but work well for both doors and drawers.

When selecting hardware for your kitchen, you can choose either:

  • All knobs or handles. This will give you a more cohesive look, since every cabinet door and drawer will have the same pull.
  • A combination of knobs and handles. Combining knobs and handles gives you a more varied look, since some cabinets will have knobs and others handles. More often than not, Phoenix homeowners choose knobs for doors and handles for drawers when combining cabinet pull styles.

Mixing hardware finishes

Whatever cabinet pulls you choose, you’ll have a variety of finish options to choose from.

In addition to mixing cabinet hardware finishes with appliance/fixture finishes, you can mix finishes on the cabinet pulls themselves.

For example, if you have:

  • A farmhouse or rustic-themed kitchen with white or cream cabinets, you could go with matte gold handles on doors and matte black knobs on drawers.
  • A modern or contemporary kitchen with dark-colored or two-toned cabinets, putting brushed nickel on upper cabinets and matte gold on the lower ones would create a unique look.

Need help designing your kitchen cabinets?

Schedule an appointment online or call us at (480) 641-9611. One of our cabinet experts will give you a free in-home or virtual consultation. We’ll help you design kitchen cabinets that coordinate with your decor and suit your tastes, needs and budget.

How To Choose Kitchen Cabinet Hardware To Match Decor | Cabinet Coatings (2)

Tim Statezny

For over 20 years Tim has overseen operations and production. He makes sure our clients’ projects get the attention and care needed in order to transform each space as seamlessly as possible. His special attention to detail and his many years in this industry have made him a master craftsman. Tim and his team turn the vision into a reality.

How To Choose Kitchen Cabinet Hardware To Match Decor | Cabinet Coatings (2024)

FAQs

What should cabinet hardware match? ›

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.

How to pick out hardware? ›

All the knobs in a kitchen should be the same size, but the drawer pulls are a different story. For a wider drawer or larger cabinet, you should choose a hardware size that fits the size of the door. For larger drawers, a good rule of thumb is to use longer pulls.

How do you choose the color of kitchen hardware? ›

The hardware finish color should harmonize with the cabinet color and the surrounding decor. Coordinating the hardware finish with the cabinet's paint or stain color creates a unified and harmonious look. A well-matched color scheme can make the cabinets stand out or blend seamlessly with the rest of the space.

What color hardware is timeless? ›

A high quality brass, bronze, or silver finish will look good years to come if it matches your color scheme.

What kitchen hardware is timeless? ›

Material and Finish: Choose high-quality materials like brass, stainless steel, or zinc, and decide on a finish that complements your kitchen's existing fixtures and color scheme, such as chrome, oil-rubbed bronze, or matte black. 3.

How to choose hardware for cabinets? ›

Consider proportion, balance, aesthetics and function when deciding upon the size of a knob or pull for your kitchen cabinetry. An oversized cabinet door or drawer needs a large piece of hardware for proper functionality. A smaller sized knob or pull is appropriate for a smaller door or drawer.

How to mix and match cabinet hardware? ›

The 3 simple rules for mixing cabinet hardware styles: 1) Keep the same finish for all hardware 2) Choose different styles for drawers and doors 3) Use the same pattern for all cabinetry. Choosing the right cabinet hardware is key to giving your entire chic interior design a distinctive personality.

What hardware looks best on shaker cabinets? ›

Traditional handles like classic metal knobs and oil-rubbed bronze cup pulls bring warmth to your kitchen, evoking a sense of nostalgia and heritage. These sturdy options perfectly complement the simplicity of shaker cabinets, adding a touch of timeless elegance to the overall look.

What color hardware does not go out of style? ›

BRUSHED NICKEL

Brushed/Satin nickel will never go out of style. It is very versatile because it goes with almost any cabinet color and matches great with stainless steel appliances. Click HERE to view our brushed nickel bar collection!

What color hardware is popular now? ›

Some more kitchen hardware trends are Warm metal finishes which include finishes such as brass, copper, and bronze, which have a golden or reddish undertone. These finishes add warmth and richness to a kitchen and can complement a wide range of cabinet colors and styles.

What color hardware is best for kitchen cabinets? ›

For a cohesive look, opt for hardware finishes that either match these tones or provide a contrasting accent. For example, cool-colored cabinets pair well with silver or chrome, while warm-toned cabinets shine with gold or bronze finishes.

Should cabinet hardware match faucet or light fixture? ›

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.

Should my faucet match my cabinet hardware? ›

Although matching kitchen faucets with cabinet hardware can create a cohesive kitchen design, mixing finishes can add visual interest and pops of color when done intentionally. We think it all comes down to personal preference and design expertise, and that is what a kitchen remodeling specialist can help with.

Should your door hardware match your cabinet hardware? ›

Again, whilst there is no rule against choosing different finishes for your handles than you do for your products, it is best to select those that are similar or of the same finish. For your hinges, it is often best practice that they should match the finish of your handles and knobs if they are visible.

Does all cabinet hardware have to match? ›

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).

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