I work with many clients who need a kitchen design, both remodeling and new construction, and there are so many things to consider: cabinet layout, wood finish, counter top and appliances.
One design element that seems to stump most people is what kitchen hardware to select.
I have been in design long enough to remember that most cabinet door hinges were visible. So, in those days, we had another detail to consider.
However, most hinges are now concealed. Therefor the weight of the finish consideration lies in the hardware that is needed to open and close doors and drawers.
These are called knobs and pulls (or handles). As with any detail in design, you must first consider the overall theme of your room. Are you more contemporary or traditional?
A cleaner, more sleek look will give you a more modern feel. Something with more detail could you a more traditional flair. Most hardware is very transitional.
What finish would you like? No longer do we have to consider just gold, silver or bronze.
New finishes are available every year. Gold can be a rose gold or brushed gold. Brushed nickel might be a better option than polished chrome. Bronze can be a flat brown color or have some dark or lighter edges called old world bronze. These are just a few of the newer finishes.
Don’t hesitate to mix your metals in your kitchen. Just because your appliances and sink are stainless doesn’t mean you have to stay in silver tones. Even if your faucet is the popular brushed nickel, you can consider a contrasting metal on your door and drawer hardware.
And then there is what to do in considering pulls over knobs, or a combination of both. A lot of it depends on how clean of a look you look.
Personal preference also has a role to play. I find most people are a creature of habit when it comes to what they desire in hardware. Door fronts usually are a larger size than a drawer front, so maybe a wider pull would work best on the doors while a knob would work better on the drawer.
This is a popular combination. However, most styles of pulls are offered in a variety of lengths, so you can use varying sizes throughout the kitchen.
I go a little deeper when I work with a client. If there is a lot of symmetry going on with the doors and drawers, I might consider the cabinetry to be more of a furniture piece and find unique hardware that creates an interesting pattern when installed on the cabinetry.
