Choosing the correct kitchen cabinet hardware for your custom kitchen cabinets is a very important decision. Choosing the correct cabinet knobs, pulls, and hinges can make the difference between realising that kitchen of your dreams, or feeling slight disappointment. With this is mind, there are a few things to consider when choosing kitchen cabinet hardware, such as:
- Follow your Vision
- Stick with the same finishes
- Know when to use a knob and a pull
- Choose Quality
Follow Your Vision
You probably have a vision or theme in mind when you choose the design and finish of your custom kitchen cabinets. When choosing the hardware, now is not the time to change this. Depending on the style of cabinets you went with, you will want to decide on a style of hardware that matches. Traditional cabinets tend to work best with simple, smooth hardware, whereas modern cabinets tend to work best with sleek, tubular hardware. Get some samples, hold them up and see what works best for you.
Stick with the Same Finishes
Hardware comes in a variety of finishes, from bronze and brass to stainless steel and brushed nickel. You want to make sure that the finish you choose for your cabinet hardware matches the finishings in the rest of the kitchen. If you have gone for mostly stainless steel appliances, consider going with stainless hardware.
Know when to use a knob and a pull
The use of knobs on cabinet drawers has long been a staple in traditional or country style kitchens. Often, cabinets with more detail tend to look better with a simple knob. However, in more modern kitchens, pulls have become the hardware of choice, as these give a cleaner, more finished look.
Know what type of hinge to use
Hinges are often overlooked when considering kitchen cabinet hardware. There are many types of cabinet door hinges on the market and, although they are basic is design, they do require some thinking before making that decision. Depending on the style, the material, the size, and the colour, you may be looking at numerous options. Here are the five basic hinges to think about:
Flush
These hinges are inset into the cabinet, which means that the installer has used a router or chisel to create a ‘hole’ in the wood to place the hinge. The only part of this hinge you’ll see is the knuckle (the place where the hinge ‘bends’).
Wrap Around
These hinges are placed on the outside of the cabinet, each part of it visible. Often they are inset into the door and frame.
Side
This is probably the most common, sitting on the outside of the cabinet. These are usually very decorative and provide an extra bit of style to the remodel.
Full Extension
If you need the doors of the cabinet to open wider, in an almost 300 degree arc, these are the hinges to use.
European
This is most commonly used with an unframed cabinet and is entirely concealed within the wood on the inside of the door. These hinges often are self closing, with an internal spring mechanism that gently pulls the cabinet door closed.
Choose Quality
Finally, make sure that you go with quality hardware and do not try to save a few bucks on this step. Your cabinet hardware will see a lot of traffic, and have a lot of fingers on it over its lifetime. Choosing something that is strong, sturdy and long lasting will help to make sure you are not having to fix or replace knobs, pulls, or hinges before you should need to.
