CHOOSING CABINET HARDWARE

 THE JEWELRY OF THE KITCHEN!

While often overlooked, cabinet hardware can play a big role in the overall appearance of the kitchen.  When you think about it, hardware is the jewelry of the kitchen, and just like in a wardrobe, it must coordinate, be comfortable, and enhance the design of the outfit.

While often overlooked, cabinet hardware can play a big role in the overall appearance of the kitchen.  When you think about it, hardware is the jewelry of the kitchen, and just like in a wardrobe, it must coordinate, be comfortable, and enhance the design of the outfit.

TYPES

When it comes to choosing cabinet hardware, there are so many options that the process can seem overwhelming, but take heart, the basics are pretty simple.  It’s the wide selection of styles and finishes that makes it seem complicated.  Actually, there are really only two types to choose from, knobs and pulls.  You can choose to use all knobs or all pulls or a combination of both.  There are no strict rules to follow when trying to decide whether to choose a knob or pull.  

Knobs are small, usually 1” to 1.5” in diameter and are usually used for doors.  Pulls are long and are typically used on drawers for more leverage.  One popular option is to use knobs on all the doors and pulls on all the drawers.   

Pulls are far more comfortable when opening drawers because you can use your whole hand to grab instead of just the fingertips.  This is really helpful considering how heavy drawers can be.  For extra-large doors like pantry doors or trash can pull-outs, use a pull.  Considering how many times you open and close your drawers and doors; make sure whatever knob or pull you choose is comfortable to use.  The best thing to do is to get a sample and try it out before you purchase all the hardware. 

FINISH AND STYLE

Once you have decided what type of hardware you want, then it’s a matter of choosing the style and finish.  Styles range from contemporary to traditional to transitional depending upon your personal design preferences.  While the most popular finishes are chrome and brushed nickel, hardware comes in a wide variety of materials to meet your needs.  Remember, it is your home and it should express your personal design choices.  Don’t be afraid to break the “rules” or mix metals!

FUNCTION

The function of cabinet hardware is to enable you to open your cabinetry with ease while giving an aesthetic finish to your design.  Hardware is also practical. Kitchens get messy and protecting the cabinets from oil, dirt and grease is important to longevity of the cabinets.  Pulls and knobs help protect your cabinets by preventing the transfer of oil from your fingertips to the cabinets.

SIZE

Now that you know the type, style and finish of hardware you want to use, it’s time to determine what size hardware you need.  A simple rule of thumb is that a pull for a drawer should be approximately 1/3 the width of the drawer.

Knobs – Most knobs will be 1 to 1.5” in diameter. Choose between square or round to meet your design needs.

Pulls – Range in size from 1” to over 20”

For standard size cabinets up to 30” wide for drawers and up to 34” tall for doors, 3” to 5” pulls work well.

For larger cabinets over 30” wide for drawers and over 34” tall for doors, 5” to 12” single pulls work well and look more proportionate. You can also choose to use two pulls on larger drawers.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

It is your home and whatever you choose should be a reflection of your personal tastes, likes and design choices.  There are no rules set in concrete that you need to worry about breaking.  Choose hardware that is easy and comfortable to use, compliments your kitchen, and makes you happy!