The Definitive Guide to Cabinet Hardware
Cabinet Hardware Finishes: Choosing the Right Look for Your Home
When designing or remodeling a space, the details matter. The right cabinet hardware can elevate a kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, or built-ins, making the space feel intentional and high-end. Metal finishes including cabinet handles, lighting, faucets, and door hardware, should work together to create a cohesive and polished aesthetic throughout your home.
In my home remodels and Airbnb properties, I carefully plan every finish to ensure the space feels well-designed. Whether you’re doing a full renovation or simply upgrading cabinet hardware, this is one of the easiest ways to refresh your home’s look.
Planning Your Metal Finishes for a Cohesive Look
Before purchasing cabinet hardware, consider how it will fit into your home’s overall interior design. Even small updates like fresh paint and new hardware can dramatically enhance your space.
Create a mood board to define your style and guide your purchases.
Ensure continuity—mixing metal finishes is fine, but they should complement each other.
Think beyond cabinet hardware coordinate your light fixtures, faucets, doorknobs, and even flatware.
Buy extra cabinet handles—you may need replacements later, and it’s best to have extras on hand.
If you’re unsure where to start, my Interior Design Style Guide can help you create a cohesive design plan.
Trending Cabinet Hardware Finishes
Gold and Brushed Gold Cabinet Hardware
Gold cabinet hardware has been a popular choice for years, offering warmth and sophistication to any space. It pairs beautifully with white cabinets, deep blues, and even natural wood tones. If you prefer a softer, more muted look, brushed gold cabinet hardware is a great option that feels both timeless and modern.
In my remodels:
Kona Landing: Oversized square gold cabinet hardware to enhance warm wood tones.
San Jose Landing: Half-moon brushed gold cabinet hardware for a stylish statement.
Lodi Landing: Brushed gold handles that paired perfectly with white shaker cabinets.
For a contemporary twist, pair brushed gold cabinet hardware with matte black cabinet hardware for contrast. This is especially effective when you have different color upper and lower cabinet.
Black and Matte Black Cabinet Hardware
Sleek and modern, black cabinet hardware is a great choice for a bold, high-contrast look. It pairs especially well with white kitchen cabinets for a clean, dramatic effect.
If your cabinets are dark gray or black, or white brushed gold, aged brass, or bronze cabinet hardware can provide good contrast.
Brass and Aged Brass Cabinet Hardware
Brass cabinet hardware is a classic choice that works well in farmhouse, modern, and vintage-inspired interiors. Aged brass cabinet hardware, in particular, adds warmth and a timeless, lived-in feel that enhances both traditional and contemporary spaces.
For a sophisticated look, aged brass cabinet hardware pairs beautifully with deep green, navy, or black cabinets. Champagne bronze is another modern take on brass that blends seamlessly with both gold and black finishes.
Rustic, Copper, and Bronze Cabinet Hardware
For those who love an earthy farmhouse-style look, rustic cabinet hardware or copper cabinet hardware can add warmth and charm. These finishes work particularly well in kitchens with natural wood cabinets, warm-toned backsplashes, and vintage-style lighting.
Bronze cabinet hardware offers a rich, deep tone that complements both modern and rustic kitchens. Oil-rubbed bronze is a great alternative to black, offering a more organic, weathered look.
Push-to-Open Cabinet Hardware
For a sleek, modern cabinet hardware option, consider push-to-open cabinet hardware, which eliminates the need for visible handles or pulls. This style is perfect for contemporary kitchens that emphasize clean lines and minimalism.
Cabinet Hardware Placement and Installation: What You Need to Know
Order Samples and Test Placement
Before committing to hardware, order samples and try them in your space. Amazon makes this easy with quick shipping and returns. If your cabinets aren’t installed yet, bring your hardware samples to the store and hold them up to different cabinet styles.
Use blue painter’s tape to test placement before drilling. This allows you to visualize the final look and make adjustments as needed.
Choose Standard Handle Sizes for Future Flexibility
Look at the width of your cabinet handles and ensure they are a standard size. This way, if you ever want to swap out the hardware in the future, you won’t need to re-drill new holes in your cabinets.
Common standard cabinet hardware sizes:
3 inches (small drawers)
5 inches (popular mid-size option)
6-8 inches (modern, longer pulls for larger drawers and cabinets)
If you choose something non-standard, make sure you love it, because you’ll be stuck with it unless you’re willing to patch and refinish your cabinets.
Essential Tools for Installation
Cabinet Hardware Jig
Laser level
Combo Drill Kit
Drill Bits
Amazon Edit for Cabinet Hardware and Installation Tools
I’ve put together an Amazon Idea List that includes all of my favorite cabinet hardware options, whether you’re looking for gold, brass, black, bronze, copper, or rustic finishes. This list also includes essential installation tools so you can ensure your hardware is installed
Check out my Amazon Cabinet Hardware and Installation Edit here.
