Hardware Basics
Cabinet Hardware choices can be overwhelming. Selecting the wrong pieces can be disastrous to all the planning and decision making that precede this final detail. Handles and knobs can really change or accentuate the feeling and style of a space. Often the homeowner is exhausted with the decision making process by the time they get to the hardware. Here are a few tips to make the selection of that finishing touch easier.
Bring Samples
- Coordinating all of your selections is very important. Anything that shows the whole picture is helpful and the more you can show us about your personal style the more helpful we can be. The two essential pieces are the cabinet door and counter top samples, these have the most significant effect on the hardware selection. Other helpful items are: flooring, fabrics, back splash, lighting selections and wall color. Another helpful thing to bring with you are you cabinetry elevations or photos of your existing cabinets with a list of door heights and drawer widths. This way you can narrow down which collection to use based on your design needs.
Choose Finish
- Many knobs and handles are only available in certain finishes. By choosing finish first you can narrow down your search to all of the possibilities offered in that finish. Below are just a few of the many finishes available by decorative hardware companies. Examples of finish: antique english, distressed antique copper, oil rubbed bronze, verdigris bronze, hand tinted pewter, bright nickel, satin nickel, and many others. All of these fit into a group or finish family because they are all just different shades or patinas of the same base finish. Finish families: Pewter, copper, bronze, brass, antique brass, verdigris, chrome, nickel…etc.
Determine Style
- What's the feeling of your space: old world, French country, mission, art deco, modern, early American? Your hardware selection should reflect the style you are after. There are numerous hardware choices to fit every possible style. Often the hardware can really add the personality to a relatively neutral foundation. The hardware is a great place to express your true design aesthetic because it is the easiest thing to change as your taste evolves.
Size Matters
- Use the style of your cabinet door to determine the size of the hardware. Going for a more contemporary look? Then you may want to run the handle the entire length of the door or drawer. For more ornate cabinets, pay close attention to where the hardware will be placed. Today's more detailed cabinetry often has a limited amount of space in which to place hardware. On more than one professionally designed kitchen we've seen pieces that don't work. For example, a handle that drops below the raised panel into the trim detail looks incorrectly sized or a center panel so narrow that most hardware has too big of a base to fit. To get you started we have created a Cabinet Hardware Sizing Guide to help.
Home run
- Once you have eliminated the "wrong" pieces you will be left with quite a few good choices. Take your favorite three home. See what they actually look like in your space. Try them out, see how they feel and function, your personal preference in feel and appearance will guide you to the best choice for you!
