Kitchen Cabinet Hardware Finishes That Remodelers Love Right Now
Remodelers and designers tell us that brushed metal, leather and knurled pulls are among the hottest hardware finishes
When you run a remodeling business, you know that every material selected for a kitchen renovation makes an impact on the overall look of the space. Therefore, helping clients select the right hardware finish for their kitchen cabinets is every bit as important as selecting a cabinet’s style, stain or color. Depending on your selection, cabinet hardware can serve as a bold accent piece or virtually disappear into the background.
We asked established kitchen remodelers and designers to share which cabinet finishes they’re loving right now and how they use them to elevate a space. Read their recommendations and tips, then share your own in the Comments.
We asked established kitchen remodelers and designers to share which cabinet finishes they’re loving right now and how they use them to elevate a space. Read their recommendations and tips, then share your own in the Comments.
Matte black. Allison Lind of Allison Lind Interiors in Seattle is also loving cabinet hardware with a little less shine. “Personally, I’ve never been a fan of chrome because it feels so cold,” she says.
For this recent kitchen renovation, Lind paired matte black pulls with crisp white cabinets. “If you’re aiming for some drama or interest, go for a bit of contrast, like black pulls against white cabinets,” she says. “I will never say no to black. It’s classic, sleek and bold.”
How to Manage Critical Conversations With Your Clients
For this recent kitchen renovation, Lind paired matte black pulls with crisp white cabinets. “If you’re aiming for some drama or interest, go for a bit of contrast, like black pulls against white cabinets,” she says. “I will never say no to black. It’s classic, sleek and bold.”
How to Manage Critical Conversations With Your Clients
Knurled. Cabinet hardware pieces with a textured surface, especially knurled pulls, are getting lots of attention.
“Certainly metal is still what we see used the most,” says Alicia Saso of Drury Design in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. “That said, some manufacturers have taken metal hardware to the next level and done pieces that are knurled.”
Saso recommends using a knurled brass pull against a dark stained or painted cabinet. “This way the hardware becomes a subtle accent piece,” she says.
“Certainly metal is still what we see used the most,” says Alicia Saso of Drury Design in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. “That said, some manufacturers have taken metal hardware to the next level and done pieces that are knurled.”
Saso recommends using a knurled brass pull against a dark stained or painted cabinet. “This way the hardware becomes a subtle accent piece,” she says.
Embossed. Metal pulls and knobs with embossed patterns are great for adding character and subtle pattern to a kitchen.
Elizabeth P. Lord of Elizabeth P. Lord Residential Design in Denver used embossed brass knobs for the upper cabinets in this kitchen remodel in a historic home. “Cabinet hardware is the jewelry of the kitchen, so I use it to make a statement that adds a personalized detail to the design,” she says.
Elizabeth P. Lord of Elizabeth P. Lord Residential Design in Denver used embossed brass knobs for the upper cabinets in this kitchen remodel in a historic home. “Cabinet hardware is the jewelry of the kitchen, so I use it to make a statement that adds a personalized detail to the design,” she says.
2. Go Beyond Metal
While metal is still the most common material for kitchen cabinet hardware, remodelers and designers note that other materials are starting to gain attention.
Leather. If you want to add a warm, natural vibe to a kitchen, you might consider leather pulls or leather-wrapped hardware. “Leather hardware adds a simple texture that people don’t expect,” says Kaitlyn Stokes of Crystal Kitchen + Bath in Minnesota.
Inspired Spaces used leather cabinet pulls in this recently remodeled San Francisco kitchen.
While metal is still the most common material for kitchen cabinet hardware, remodelers and designers note that other materials are starting to gain attention.
Leather. If you want to add a warm, natural vibe to a kitchen, you might consider leather pulls or leather-wrapped hardware. “Leather hardware adds a simple texture that people don’t expect,” says Kaitlyn Stokes of Crystal Kitchen + Bath in Minnesota.
Inspired Spaces used leather cabinet pulls in this recently remodeled San Francisco kitchen.
Acrylic and glass. For a fresh look that adds a little glam, acrylic or glass hardware might be the way to go.
Chad Esslinger of Chad Esslinger Design in Chicago agrees: “Acrylic or glass hardware combined with metal is a nice look for modern kitchens.”
Tri State Kitchens added acrylic-and-gold pulls to this contemporary kitchen remodel in Brooklyn, New York.
Chad Esslinger of Chad Esslinger Design in Chicago agrees: “Acrylic or glass hardware combined with metal is a nice look for modern kitchens.”
Tri State Kitchens added acrylic-and-gold pulls to this contemporary kitchen remodel in Brooklyn, New York.
3. Complement Appliance Panels
When it comes to creating a refined-looking kitchen, concealing the appliances behind panels is an elegant approach. But to take paneled appliances to the next level, you’ll want to choose the perfect hardware.
Sabrina Moncion of Kitchen Art Design in Vancouver, British Columbia, added a reeded metal cabinet pull to a paneled dishwasher in this recent kitchen remodel. “I love the black-and-gold combo,” she says. “It’s a striking look, and the contrast demands your attention.”
When it comes to creating a refined-looking kitchen, concealing the appliances behind panels is an elegant approach. But to take paneled appliances to the next level, you’ll want to choose the perfect hardware.
Sabrina Moncion of Kitchen Art Design in Vancouver, British Columbia, added a reeded metal cabinet pull to a paneled dishwasher in this recent kitchen remodel. “I love the black-and-gold combo,” she says. “It’s a striking look, and the contrast demands your attention.”
Sarah Robertson of Studio Dearborn used custom oak cabinetry with a chevron pattern to conceal the refrigerator and pantry storage in this recent kitchen remodel in Westchester County, New York.
Long wood-and-brass pulls for the refrigerator and pantry doors provide a furniture look that elevates the space.
Working With Multiple Decision Makers
Long wood-and-brass pulls for the refrigerator and pantry doors provide a furniture look that elevates the space.
Working With Multiple Decision Makers
4. Create the Perfect Mix
No matter the cabinet hardware material, getting the combination of pulls, knobs, latches and other hardware elements just right is key to a successful kitchen renovation.
One great way for remodeling and design pros to share their vision for a kitchen remodel is through Houzz Pro business and project management software’s Mood Boards tool and 3D Floor Planner. These tools enable pros to create visualizations of their projects that give clients a realistic, easy-to-understand view of the designs.
Pulls and knobs. The most common kitchen cabinet hardware types are pulls and knobs, but deciding where to use them and where to forgo them can make a dramatic difference in the look of the space.
“I usually suggest pulls for all drawers, and knobs for doors,” says Esslinger, the Chicago designer. “Except when it comes to taller doors, like pantry doors, I like to use longer pulls.”
Esslinger used this combination of pulls for drawers, knobs for doors and longer pulls for pantry doors in this recent kitchen renovation, with great success.
No matter the cabinet hardware material, getting the combination of pulls, knobs, latches and other hardware elements just right is key to a successful kitchen renovation.
One great way for remodeling and design pros to share their vision for a kitchen remodel is through Houzz Pro business and project management software’s Mood Boards tool and 3D Floor Planner. These tools enable pros to create visualizations of their projects that give clients a realistic, easy-to-understand view of the designs.
Pulls and knobs. The most common kitchen cabinet hardware types are pulls and knobs, but deciding where to use them and where to forgo them can make a dramatic difference in the look of the space.
“I usually suggest pulls for all drawers, and knobs for doors,” says Esslinger, the Chicago designer. “Except when it comes to taller doors, like pantry doors, I like to use longer pulls.”
Esslinger used this combination of pulls for drawers, knobs for doors and longer pulls for pantry doors in this recent kitchen renovation, with great success.
Leave off upper-cabinet hardware. If you’re creating a clean-lined modern kitchen, forgoing hardware on the upper cabinets is an option to consider.
“Clients are loving the clean lines of no hardware on upper cabinets, mostly in contemporary spaces,” says Louie Katsis of Olympic Kitchens in Toronto. “Pulls on upper cabinets can often look bulky, depending on the pull selected.”
Katsis opted to forgo hardware for the high-gloss upper cabinets in this recent contemporary kitchen remodel. The stained-wood lower cabinets have low-profile pulls.
Join the conversation: Which cabinet hardware finishes do you love right now? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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“Clients are loving the clean lines of no hardware on upper cabinets, mostly in contemporary spaces,” says Louie Katsis of Olympic Kitchens in Toronto. “Pulls on upper cabinets can often look bulky, depending on the pull selected.”
Katsis opted to forgo hardware for the high-gloss upper cabinets in this recent contemporary kitchen remodel. The stained-wood lower cabinets have low-profile pulls.
Join the conversation: Which cabinet hardware finishes do you love right now? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in the Pro-to-Pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
Many of the kitchen remodelers and designers we talked to have been moving away from cabinet hardware with highly reflective metal finishes, such as chrome or polished nickel, in favor of metals with brushed, matte or textured finishes.
Satin brass. “Currently I am loving satin brass, or what is sometimes called champagne bronze,” says Carl Mattison of Carl Mattison Design in Atlanta. “It is a matte brass in a soft tone that works well paired with darker cabinet colors and wood cabinet finishes.”
Mattison used satin brass for the cabinet hardware and the faucet in this recent kitchen remodel. The warm brass knobs pop against the black upper cabinets, as do the brass pulls against the stained wood lowers.
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