When building a custom house or renovating an existing house, it is easy to choose larger items such as cabinets, countertops, or floors for your new kitchen. However, until you choose the hardware that strikes a perfect balance between form and function for the kitchen cabinet, the project is truly completed. This final decorative style connects the entire project and injects it with a style that reflects your personality.
Decorative kitchen cabinet hardware has many types, sizes, styles, materials, and finishes. Read the overview below so you can decide what is right for your home.
Type
Your hardware should be consistent with the style of the kitchen, but it should also be comfortable to use. Therefore, personal preference is very important when deciding whether you need a knob or a handle. Try to get a sample of the knob or handle you are considering purchasing. Lean them against a drawer or cabinet door to see if they will fit in your hands. Are its size and shape right for you?
You can mix knobs and handles in the kitchen to create visual interest. Use pulls instead of the handles on the drawers and doors, and vice versa. Just be sure to choose a complimentary handle style and knob style, and keep the same finish throughout the kitchen. Or you can use one type of hardware throughout the kitchen for a clean look.
Be sure to ask about the time it takes to receive the hardware you selected. Some vendors complete orders in a week, while others may take longer than 12 weeks.
Handle size and position
When deciding the size of the kitchen cabinet pull or knob, please consider the proportion, balance, aesthetic, and function. Oversized cabinet doors or drawers require a big piece of hardware to work properly. Smaller hardware is suitable for smaller doors or drawers. A good rule of thumb for transitional or traditional style handles is that they should be about one-third the length of the cabinet drawer. Drawers larger than 18 inches wide may require more than one handle. More modern designs require at least two-thirds of the length of the drawer or cabinet door.
Generally, the handle is placed horizontally on the drawer and vertically on the door. In a modern kitchen, you can consider placing the door handle horizontally for a stylish look. Regardless of your kitchen style, before permanently attaching the knobs and handles to the cabinets, consider how you want them to be positioned. The knob is installed with a single screw through a centralized entry point on the door or drawer.
The handle is installed with two screws through two contact points in the door or drawer. Before drilling any holes, be sure to provide detailed instructions to your home builder or renovation professional so that they know the correct type of handle to install on each cabinet door or drawer. You also need to specify the position of the knobs or handles so that they can be installed evenly throughout the kitchen.
Hardware style
The hardware you choose for the cabinet should reflect the overall design of the kitchen. There are four main categories of kitchen cabinet hardware: traditional, rustic, modern, and transitional.
Traditional
The hallmark of a traditional kitchen is refined details, decorations, and forms. Typically, interior designers choose beautiful hanging handles or elegant handles that are consistent with furniture-style cabinets in traditional-style kitchens.
Rustic
The design of a farmhouse or country-style kitchen is warm and inviting, so your hardware should convey that feeling. Choose a simple knob or pull the oil to polish the bronze, copper, or black finish. Over time, these finishes tend to form a patina, which is very suitable for rustic and cozy kitchens.
Modern
The modern kitchen has smooth lines, minimal decor, and neutral tones. To be consistent with this design style, it is advisable to choose simple and streamlined hardware. Linear Bar Handles or Curved Barrel Handles are a perfect choice. For a more cohesive look, choose a knob similar to the pull style and finish of stainless steel appliances for your cabinet.
Transitional
The Transitional style allows you to combine modern and traditional elements. For example, you can pair the clean look of recessed door cabinets with hardware that is neither harsh nor modern, but not too flashy, as cup handles with matching knobs.
Materials
Kitchen cabinet hardware has a variety of materials to choose from, most of which are metal alloys. Brass hardware is usually painted or plated on its surface to make it very durable in the kitchen. It has an antibacterial effect and helps reduce the spread of bacteria. Brass hardware is also antibacterial, provides a solid look and feel, and is suitable for cabinets made of thicker wood. Stainless steel is another option because it is very durable and easy to keep clean. Tin and nickel are also popular choices. Or you can choose glass, crystal, or ceramic knobs for a retro look.
UNICA Concept will be happy to help you
UNICA Concept is always here to help you with the confusion you might have while designing your new kitchen cabinets. For almost two decades operating in this field on Canada’s market, we have been more than happy to help every customer and build every dream. we’re not only specialized in kitchen cabinet making, but also in closets, bathroom vanities, reception desks, wall panels, store fixtures, or libraries. Our team is very professional, talented, and well trained. We appreciate every client’s idea and assure you that our job will meet your expectations. Contact us via email at [email protected] or via phone at 416-746-2226 to give you a step-by-step guide on designing the best kitchen you can dream of.
