Kitchen cabinets don’t come with hardware, therefore, it’s up to you to buy these necessities for your kitchen design. The task is quite daunting since there are so many styles and finishes to choose in the market. Not to mention, most homeowners are torn with choosing between style and function.
 
If you have any trouble selecting the best cabinet hardware for your home, here are tips to get you by:
 

• Choose theme and coordination rather than matching styles. It’s tempting to buy hardware to match your cabinet drawers. While it can evoke organization and clarity, it’s still best to add variety and spice according to the theme of your kitchen. Will it be similar to those sleek, metallic pulls, or simple knobs with a hint of an antique look? Better to coordinate hardware than match them in all your kitchen cabinets.

• Select between a knob and a pull. If your cabinet is ornately designed with intricate details, it’s best to go with a knob where it can neither take attention from the design nor confuse users with it. A pull would look lovely against a cabinet with plain and wooden features.

• Know the finishes suitable for your cabinet. From brass to nickel, there’s a wide range of finishes ready for your kitchen design. Always refer to your kitchen cabinet colors and keep the finishes cohesive accordingly.

• Be conscious of your furniture, fixtures, and appliances. Always keep in mind of your furniture, fixtures, and appliances in the kitchen that may clash colors and design with your hardware. You should also designate your finishes accordingly to such equipment.

• Choose quality hardware! The hardware in your kitchen sees a lot of traffic. Don’t put so much importance on the look that you forget about quality. You want the hardware to be sturdy, strong and easy to hold onto.

More and more homeowners get caught up in selecting hardware for cabinetry. One should take note that your pulls and fasteners should strike a personal balance, function, and style in the kitchen. To understand what you are to choose on your kitchen design, here are types and characteristics of the hardware you need to know.  
 

Types of cabinet hardware

Knobs
Cabinet knobs are the most common and basic type of hardware to install. They’re often round or circular and attached to the front by a single screw. You can choose whether to have a traditional, rustic, or antique design – the list of knob designs can go on.

Pulls and handles
Unlike with knobs, pulls and handles require two screw attachments to the cabinet face or drawer. The determinative factor for installing this type of hardware is its center measurement which determines the size and design of the hardware.

Latches
A latch is a two-piece hardware installed outside the cabinet, while its receiver (catch) holds the tongue of the latch to lock the cabinet. A latch is ideal for those who want a secure way of keeping their items inside the cabinet.

Hinges
A hinge allows movement of the cabinet door and the frame. There are different types of hinges available specifically for kitchen use such as adjustable hinges, armoire, cup hinges, finial, mortise, and non-mortise.

Tips on sizes and positioning of cabinet hardware

Buying for the right sizes and positioning of cabinet hardware can be tricky.
Always have measurements and a paper dummy of your cabinetry so you can see which knobs and pulls you are considering for your doors and drawer heads.
 
Planning to customize your hardware? Inquire with some home renovation companies if they accept the job. It’ll take about a week for you to receive your newly designed knobs and pulls.
 
In addition, always consider the proportion, balance, and function of your cabinetry when deciding on the size of hardware.
 
A larger cabinetry would require a large hardware itself for functionality. The weight of the objects found inside the drawer door should be taken note of if the person wants more security and balance when opening the cabinet.
 
A huge drawer, worth 18 inches and longer would require two knobs or short pulls at the side. However, it is advised to have one long pull to counter the length of the cabinet.
 
Pulls and knobs are placed often in the center of drawer heads and doors or at the lower right or left corner of the cabinet. However, it’s best to position the hardware to where it is comfortable to the homeowner.