Cabinet hardware, although a small part of the whole project, still requires some serious thought as to style, finish, and placement on the cabinetry. Should it be a knob or a pull? Should the finish match the faucet or appliances or should it complement the cabinetry finish? Exactly where on the doors and drawers should they be located?
Comfortable Placement is Key
As for rules, there really are none. However, there are some general guidelines that can ease the selection process and help eliminate a few of the thousands of options. Whether you use all knobs, all pulls, or a combination of the two, the size of the hardware piece should fit the user’s hand comfortably. Many of today’s hardware manufacturers offer the same style of hardware in multiple sizes which makes the selection process easier once you find something you like.
This combination of knobs and pulls complements the cabinet finish
How to Place Hardware on a Cabinet Door
The placement of the hardware is another consideration. For doors, the further away from the door hinge, the less effort it takes to open the door. As for the height placement on a door, the style and construction of the door have some impact, but typically the hardware would be placed 2 ½“to 3 ½” from the bottom of a door on a wall cabinet, or from the top of a door on a base cabinet.
Oversized cabinet pulls shown on base cabinets with a row of cabinet doors.
How to Place Hardware on a Drawer Front
For drawer fronts, the hardware is typically centered in relation to the drawer front or the top rail. Depending on the size of the hardware and the width of the drawer, two pieces of hardware can be used, spaced further apart, to keep the drawer from binding.
This kitchen island has only pulls
How to Choose Cabinet Hardware Styles & Finishes
While cabinetry hardware’s main purpose is for pure function, opening & closing, it’s also a defining element to the style of the room. It’s wise to find a hardware style and finish that compliments the cabinet door style and the overall style of the home. For example, if your home has a traditional style and your cabinet doors have raised panels and classic details, an ornate collection of knobs and pulls would be a wise choice. Or if our home has a modern style and your cabinet doors have a contemporary or slab style, a minimalistic hardware collection with long simple lines would be a fantastic option.
The style of this kitchen island is defined by traditional cabinet cup pulls and mushroom style knobs with a rustic “Natural Britannium” finish is paired with old-world inset cabinets with an ornate cabinet door style and distressed painted Heritage Paint finish.
Your Kitchen & Bath Designer is a trained expert on the dos and don’ts for cabinet hardware styling. They will be your partner in determining the best cabinetry pulls and knobs to fit your personal style and help guide you towards options that won’t clash with the other styles and finishes within your home.
Just remember that these are only guidelines; let yourself be creative!
