Choosing the Right Cabinet Hardware for Your Home

We’re here to answer those questions and more in this simple cabinet hardware buying guide by Tradition Hardware.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Cabinet Hardware

There are three main factors we want to cover when it comes to choosing cabinet hardware for the home. First, let’s talk about materials and finishes, then style and design, and finally, functionality and comfort.

Materials and Finishes

Starting with high-quality materials is incredibly important when buying the best cabinet pulls, knobs, and handles. We have all suffered the fate of opting for style over substance on occasion, but your cabinet hardware is not the place to fall victim to the same ill fortune.

Solid brass is a high-quality material that comes in a number of beautiful finishes but always carries that significant heft you can associate with superior materials. It is a solid, long-lasting alloy that will endure the high-touch life of your home’s cabinet hardware, whether in the kitchen, bathroom, or other living space. Stainless steel is another high-quality material option when choosing the best cabinet hardware.

As for finishes, you’ll want to consider your overall aesthetic and narrow down the numerous finishes available based on what will blend well with the look you’re trying to achieve. Many finishes offered in high-end cabinet hardware, however, are pretty versatile, such as aged brass, polished nickel, and matte black. That said, everything from brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, chrome, and polished brass are beautiful options that can complement your chosen interior design. Additionally, metal isn’t the only material available for cabinet hardware—ceramic, glass, wood, and acrylic can adorn cabinetry beautifully and increase its function. The experts in cabinetry design at Christopher Scott Cabinetry have a great hardware finish guide you can find here.

Styles and Designs

The lineup of styles and designs in the cabinet hardware world is relatively endless. That said, several larger style groupings are recognized within the category and can help guide you in a general sense of what will best serve your interior design. Below, you’ll find several traditional and popular design styles and critical elements to look for when trying to find cabinet hardware to match.

Some style options are inherently more timeless than others and will age more gracefully through passing trends and even homeowners—traditional styles likely topping that list. Remember, while unique and eye-catching options can be fun for a time, there is plenty to be said for choosing cabinet hardware that will stand the test of time, both in terms of quality and elegance of design.

Functionality and Comfort

The last main consideration you should consider when choosing the best cabinet hardware for your home comes down to your lifestyle and preferences rather than the more aesthetic guidelines we’ve discussed. We should mention that there are some general rules regarding where to put knobs versus pulls, for instance (think pulls for draws, handles for larger cabinets or appliances, and knobs for smaller cabinetry), but mostly you want to consider the type of feel you’re going to appreciate when pulling open the cabinetry in your kitchen, bathroom, closet, or living room built-ins.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself when trying to narrow down the shapes, sizes, and comfort levels of your cabinet hardware:

• Would you rather reach into or around something when opening drawers and cabinets? If sliding your hand into a pull or handle feels more comfortable, knobs are not a great choice for your drawers. The opposite is also true—if grasping a smaller object is preferred, opt for knobs.
• You should also consider ease of access for little ones—in part, whether you’re for or against it. Which is easier for small hands to grasp if you want to encourage their independence and helpfulness? What would discourage very young children from getting into spaces you don’t want their “help” in?
• In a similar vein, consider adult-level one-handed moments. Like when holding a warm pot in one hand—you may prefer a centered knob or pull for your trivet drawer for ease of access.
• What impact, if any, does frequency of use have on your hardware opinion? For example, some may choose more decorative bolt-style hardware for upper cabinets that store rarely-used serving platters, whereas you probably wouldn’t want to mess with a bolt like this on frequently used kitchen cabinets.

One thing we love about purchasing well-curated and created hardware cabinetry is that you can often find a variety of knobs and pulls of similar style that will complement one another as each serves its purpose in your space. Thoughtfully mixing and matching hardware gets a big thumbs up from Tradition Hardware.

Popular Types of Cabinet Hardware

As we’ve alluded, there are a few main types of cabinet hardware: cabinet knobs, cabinet pulls, cabinet handles, and decorative backplates. While other options absolutely exist, these are the most common hardware options on the market for good reason.

Cabinet Knobs

Cabinet knobs come in all shapes and sizes but can mostly be recognized by their one-screw installation and grab-to-pull nature (as opposed to the insert-hand-to-pull nature of pulls and handles). Traditional cabinet knobs are round or oval, with more contemporary options coming in everything from square to butterfly shapes. But this isn’t to say that your “basic” cabinet knob is boring. Far from, they gain plenty of character with a simple shift in visual weight, the addition of a lip or ledge, or even ribbed or knurled textures.

Cabinet Handles

As mentioned above, cabinet handles are characterized by their rod-like design, which parallels the drawer- or cabinet-front, necessitating two screws for installation. This requires more careful measuring for installation but also gives you plenty of freedom when choosing how big your cabinet hardware should be. A traditional rule of thumb for cabinet handle width is to keep them around ⅓ the width of the drawer they’re adorning. More contemporary designs allow for a more dramatic look, with cabinet handles nearly spanning the entire width of a drawer.

Cabinet Pulls

The terms cabinet pull and cabinet handle are often used interchangeably. For this cabinet hardware buying guide’s purpose, however, we will separate pulls by using the term to specifically refer to what some call a cup or bin pull. This is where only part of the handle is available for grasping, as the upper portion is securely attached to a drawer face. These are used to great effect in kitchens, offices, and more.

Decorative Backplates

Backplates are a highly decorative and sophisticated way to elevate the look of your cabinet hardware. Depending on their design, they can be used with knobs or handles/pulls to create a more thoughtful visual impact.

Best Areas for Cabinet Hardware

As we know, no matter the type of hardware you use, it has a significant impact—for better or worse—on the overall aesthetics of your interior design in any given space. Common areas in the home where this is most easily recognized are the kitchen, bathroom, and living room. Let’s explore each of these spaces and some associated questions and tips that may help guide you in choosing the best cabinet hardware for your home.

Kitchen Spaces

Kitchen spaces are often filled with hardware, making this one of the most impactful places to put the right hardware for your home. Kitchen drawers, cabinets, and islands, as well as hidden appliances and pantry doors, pose ample opportunity to express your personal style. The high touch-point factor here also increases the need for quality hardware pieces in the kitchen.

Choosing hardware that complements your kitchen comes down to the simple rules described above concerning style and functionality, most importantly. Choose hardware that isn’t just beautiful but feels comfortable to use and can last longer than a passing trend or phase.

Bathroom Areas

The bathroom is a unique area of the home for hardware because you not only find it on a bathroom vanity and storage cupboards, but you want something that will seamlessly complement things such as lighting, faucets, and other hardware (think towel racks, toilet paper holders) in a generally smaller space. Choose styles and colors that can be echoed or enhanced by those other requisite bathroom elements. This isn’t to say that all bathroom hardware needs to be of one finish or shape by any means. It’s just a cozier space in which a thoughtful design process needs to be undertaken.

You’ll also want to consider the possibility of more contact with water and cleaning products in such a high-traffic area when choosing the material and finish of your bathroom hardware.

Built-Ins and Custom Installations

Built-ins and custom cabinetry installations can range from master closets to living room entertainment centers, personal at-home offices, and beyond. Choosing hardware for these spaces in the home is going to mean taking a closer look at several factors, including whether or not the space is more public-facing or private to the homeowner; how frequently used the built-in is; by whom (particularly regarding age and ability) the cabinetry is used; and what the purpose of the custom installation may be.

No matter what, we always encourage quality craftsmanship over less functional fads, but there is space in any custom built-in to express plenty of personality while bringing a timeless and elevated look to the space via its hardware.

Your Cabinet Hardware Questions, Answered

Now that we’ve covered the main ideas surrounding how to choose cabinet hardware for your home and where it can make the biggest impact let’s get down to the specific and nitty-gritty. We’re here to answer the most commonly asked questions about cabinet hardware, styles, installation, purchasing, and more!

Selecting and Choosing Cabinet Hardware

• What factors should I consider when choosing cabinet hardware for my home?
• When choosing cabinet hardware for your home, you should consider materials and finishes, styles and design, and functionality and comfort first and foremost.

• How do I match cabinet hardware with my home's interior design?
• Learning the basic principles of the design style you’ve chosen is a great place to start. Several resources from Tradition Hardware (including what you see above under Styles and Designs and this Tradition Hardware style guide), as well as several helpful articles from cabinetry experts at Christopher Scott Design (such as this article about cabinet hardware finishes and one about the types and styles of cabinet hardware), will also help you better understand which hardware pieces will reflect and elevate your interior design.

• What are the latest trends in high-end cabinet hardware?
• Mixed materials, geometric shapes, eclectic designs, and even traditional and timeless hardware pieces are having quite a moment in cabinetry. If you’re looking for something trendy, a quick search will help you find what’s hot. However, investing in a longer-lasting and more elegant style will likely serve you better in the long run.

Specific Types and Styles

• What are the differences between various cabinet pulls and handles?
• There are many types of cabinet pulls, handles, and knobs. The main difference will be the one-hole, post-like design of a knob versus the two-hole design of pulls or handles that creates enough space to put your fingers through. Then you add cup/bin pulls, decorative backplates, and bolt options, and the differences become innumerable.

• How do I choose the best cabinet knobs that suit a traditional home style?
• Most traditional pieces will feel less visually demanding than some other design styles may require, but they’re created with time-honored and elegant design principles in mind so they can look cohesive and on-trend for years to come. A good variety of timelessly designed hardware pieces can be found here.

• Where can I find decorative cabinet hardware ideas for kitchens and bathrooms?
• If you’re looking for inspiration for cabinet hardware for the kitchen, bathroom, or other built-ins, we highly recommend spending some time in the Christopher Scott Cabinetry portfolios. With a great variety of design styles represented, you’re sure to find something that speaks to your personal aesthetic. And if you’re ready to shop, check out Tradition Hardware’s elegant and timeless collections.

Installation and Maintenance

• How do I properly install cabinet hardware for built-ins?
• Properly installing hardware on your existing built-in cabinetry can require nothing more than unscrewing old pieces and replacing them with new ones—so long as you have measured precisely for anything requiring two screw holes. If you’re installing hardware on new cabinets, you won’t have to match up handle screw holes, but you will need to follow basic rules about where to place hardware for it to look good and function properly. Find those rules, along with other tips for installing hardware here.

• What’s the best way to maintain the finish of aged brass and polished nickel hardware?
• Aged brass and polished nickel are high-quality finishes and are fairly easy to care for. It’s as simple as wiping with a clean, dry cloth followed by a mildly soapy solution and gentle rinse with a soft brush or cloth. A combination of lemon juice or vinegar with baking soda will help remove any tarnish spots or mineral stains. Learn more about caring for brass hardware here.

• Are there any DIY tips for installing cabinet handles and pulls?
• The most important thing to remember is that if your cabinet has existing holes from previous hardware, you have to ensure your new hardware can screw into those exact holes. Measuring precisely is the most important tip we can offer. Look for more helpful hardware installation tips from Christopher Scott Cabinetry.

Shopping and Purchasing

• Where is the best place to buy cabinet hardware online?
• The best place to buy cabinet hardware online is from a reliable company you can trust. You want to make sure they offer high-quality materials, first and foremost, and then let the design you purchase follow. Tradition Hardware was created by an experienced team of expert cabinetry designers with decades of experience in high-end cabinet hardware. They know quality, and they’ve curated collections of traditional hardware designed to provide an authentic and timeless look in your home. Shop Tradition Hardware now!

• How can I ensure I'm choosing high-quality cabinet hardware?
• High-quality hardware is going to be made of solid brass or stainless steel, most often. Look for these kinds of materials in the product descriptions where you choose to shop.

• What should I look for in a cabinet hardware buying guide?
• A cabinet hardware buying guide should offer clear advice and various options to ensure an unbiased understanding of design, quality, and customer preferences. It should help you understand the types, styles, and various materials of the most common hardware options—bonus if they also provide information on how to install and care for them.

Customization and Personalization

• Can I customize my cabinet hardware to fit my specific design needs?
• There are custom cabinet hardware design options available. However, they do come at significant cost. High-quality hardware is available that will help customize your specific interior design, especially when you mix and match hardware from a curated collection to ensure cohesion as well as beautiful versatility and visual interest.

• How do I choose hardware that complements both the bathroom and kitchen?
• Choosing hardware for both the bathroom and kitchen can be tricky, but you can approach it one of two ways. If you’re looking for the two spaces to coordinate, simply opt for something in the same style or color family for each room. Or, if you’re looking for more diversity in your interior design, you can approach each space separately and allow the hardware in each room to speak for itself. Occasionally, people feel stuck in choosing one particular color for their hardware (black, silver, gold, etc.) throughout the home but there is no issue in allowing each room to have its style and personality.

• Are there any popular brands known for their traditional and elegant cabinet hardware?
• There are several popular and high-end cabinet hardware companies out there, many of which also come at a high price point that makes people think twice about purchasing from them. Tradition Hardware offers equal quality products at affordable prices to homeowners and designers alike, believing that timeless and elegant design deserves a place in every home.

Buying the Best Cabinet Hardware

After considering your specific needs and style preferences throughout this cabinet hardware buying guide, you should be ready to start the final part of the process! Shopping online for hardware can be both intimidating and incredibly convenient—both because of the number of options available to you. However, narrowing your hardware sources to high-quality offerings is always a good place to start.

Tradition Hardware’s elegant and timeless cabinet hardware collections offer you the reliable, authentic, and beautiful touch you want in your home. Browse the best cabinet hardware knobs, pulls, handles, and backplates to elevate your interiors today!