A good guideline is to choose a pull with an overall length about 1/3 to 2/3 of the drawer width.
Measure the center-to-center distance between existing screw holes before purchasing new pulls. Choosing the same measurement avoids drilling new holes.
You don't have to use the same type of hardware on every cabinet.
One of the most popular combinations is using knobs on cabinet doors and pulls on drawers.
For a more modern look, consider using pulls throughout the entire kitchen.
For a traditional or farmhouse design, round knobs paired with cup pulls can create a timeless appearance.
When mixing knobs and pulls, try to select pieces with similar finishes, shapes, or design details to maintain a cohesive look.
While appearance is important, cabinet hardware should also be comfortable and easy to use.
Before making your final selection, consider how the hardware feels in your hand.
Things to Consider:
When selecting knobs and pulls, consider your cabinet color, countertop material, plumbing fixtures, lighting, and overall design style. The right finish should complement your space while providing the durability and functionality needed for everyday use.
Matte black hardware creates a bold, modern appearance that works with nearly any cabinet color. Its nonreflective finish adds contrast without overwhelming the design.
Best For: Modern, farmhouse, industrial, contemporary, and transitional kitchens.
Pairs Well With: White, natural wood, gray, green, and light-colored cabinetry.
Advantages: Versatile, timeless appearance that creates strong contrast and coordinates with many other finishes.
Considerations: Fingerprints, dust, and water spots may be noticeable. Some painted or coated black finishes can chip or wear over time, particularly on frequently used hardware.
Brushed nickel is one of the most versatile and popular cabinet hardware finishes. Its soft silver appearance has a slightly warm undertone and a subtle brushed texture.
Best For: Traditional, transitional, contemporary, and classic kitchens.
Pairs Well With: White, cream, gray, blue, and natural wood cabinetry.
Advantages: Excellent at disguising fingerprints and minor water spots. Coordinates well with stainless steel appliances and many plumbing fixtures.
Considerations: Brushed nickel finishes can vary in warmth and color between manufacturers, so comparing samples is recommended.
Satin nickel offers a smooth, softly reflective silver appearance. It is similar to brushed nickel but generally has a more uniform finish with less visible texture.
Best For: Traditional, transitional, and contemporary kitchens.
Pairs Well With: White, gray, navy, and natural wood cabinetry.
Advantages: Soft, understated appearance that works with many cabinet styles.
Considerations: Depending on the finish, fingerprints and surface marks may be more visible than on heavily brushed hardware.
Polished chrome features a bright, reflective, mirror-like finish that creates a clean and sophisticated appearance.
Best For: Modern, contemporary, transitional, and classic kitchens and bathrooms.
Pairs Well With: White, black, gray, navy, and high-gloss cabinetry.
Advantages: Bright, polished appearance that coordinates beautifully with chrome faucets and plumbing fixtures.
Considerations: Fingerprints, water spots, and smudges are more noticeable on polished surfaces and may require frequent wiping.
Polished nickel has a reflective finish similar to chrome but typically features a warmer, slightly golden undertone.
Best For: Traditional, transitional, luxury, and classic kitchen designs.
Pairs Well With: Cream, white, navy, dark green, and warm wood cabinetry.
Advantages: Elegant appearance that combines the brightness of polished chrome with a warmer tone.
Considerations: Often more expensive than chrome and may require additional cleaning to maintain its shine. Some finishes can develop a patina over time.
Satin brass offers a warm golden appearance with a soft, low-sheen finish. It has become a popular choice for homeowners looking to add warmth without the highly reflective appearance of polished brass.
Best For: Modern, transitional, contemporary, and traditional kitchens.
Pairs Well With: White, cream, black, navy, green, and natural wood cabinetry.
Advantages: Adds warmth and character while coordinating with many popular cabinet colors.
Considerations: Brass finishes can vary significantly between manufacturers. Some are lacquered to maintain their appearance, while others are designed to develop a natural patina.
Brushed brass features a warm gold tone with a visible brushed texture. It creates a slightly more casual and understated appearance than polished brass.
Best For: Modern, transitional, farmhouse, and contemporary kitchens.
Pairs Well With: White, cream, green, navy, walnut, and other warm wood cabinetry.
Advantages: Warm, inviting appearance with a textured finish that can help disguise minor fingerprints.
Considerations: Gold tones can vary considerably between hardware collections, making it important to compare samples when coordinating with faucets and lighting.
Polished brass features a bright, reflective gold finish commonly associated with traditional and vintage-inspired designs.
Best For: Traditional, vintage, classic, and luxury kitchens.
Pairs Well With: White, cream, dark wood, navy, and green cabinetry.
Advantages: Creates a rich, elegant appearance and adds warmth to a space.
Considerations: Its reflective surface can show fingerprints and smudges. Unlacquered solid brass may develop a natural patina, while protected finishes are designed to maintain their shine.
Antique brass has a darker, aged gold appearance that gives hardware a vintage or timeworn character.
Best For: Traditional, farmhouse, rustic, cottage, and vintage-inspired kitchens.
Pairs Well With: Cream, sage green, navy, dark wood, and natural wood cabinetry.
Advantages: Adds warmth and character while often disguising fingerprints and minor wear.
Considerations: Antique finishes vary significantly in color and distressing between manufacturers.
Oil-rubbed bronze is a deep brown or nearly black finish, often featuring subtle copper or bronze undertones.
Best For: Traditional, rustic, farmhouse, Craftsman, and Mediterranean-style kitchens.
Pairs Well With: Cream, beige, warm white, natural wood, and earth-toned cabinetry.
Advantages: Rich, warm appearance that adds depth and character.
Considerations: Some oil-rubbed bronze finishes are designed to change with use, allowing lighter bronze or copper tones to become more visible over time.
Antique copper features warm reddish-brown tones with a naturally aged appearance.
Best For: Rustic, farmhouse, traditional, and vintage-inspired kitchens.
Pairs Well With: Cream, green, dark wood, warm white, and natural wood cabinetry.
Advantages: Creates a warm, distinctive appearance that complements natural materials.
Considerations: Copper finishes may change color over time, depending on the material and protective coating.
Stainless steel hardware offers a clean, modern appearance that coordinates well with stainless steel appliances and contemporary kitchens.
Best For: Modern, industrial, contemporary, and transitional kitchens.
Pairs Well With: White, gray, black, blue, and natural wood cabinetry.
Advantages: Genuine stainless steel hardware provides excellent corrosion resistance and durability.
Considerations: Fingerprints and water spots may be visible, depending on the surface finish. Some hardware described as having a stainless steel finish is made from another metal with a decorative coating.
Pewter finishes typically feature a muted gray or silver appearance, sometimes with darker antique detailing.
Best For: Traditional, farmhouse, rustic, cottage, and Craftsman-style kitchens.
Pairs Well With: Cream, sage green, navy, gray, and natural wood cabinetry.
Advantages: Soft, understated appearance that complements both warm and cool color palettes.
Considerations: Pewter finishes vary widely, from smooth silver-gray to heavily antiqued designs.
Cabinet hardware does not have to match your kitchen or bathroom faucet.
Matching finishes can create a clean, coordinated appearance, but mixing finishes can add depth and visual interest.
For example, a kitchen with matte black cabinet pulls might feature a brushed brass faucet and matching brass light fixtures.
When mixing finishes, try to repeat each finish somewhere in the room to create a balanced appearance.
Mixing metal finishes is a popular way to add personality to kitchens and bathrooms.
A good starting point is to select one dominant finish and one complementary accent finish.
Popular Combinations:
For a cohesive appearance, consider limiting your design to two or three metal finishes.
Hardware finishes with a brushed, satin, or textured appearance generally do a better job of disguising fingerprints and minor scratches than highly polished finishes.
Brushed nickel, satin nickel, and many antique finishes are popular choices for busy kitchens.
Polished chrome and polished brass may require more frequent cleaning to maintain their reflective appearance.
Keep in mind that durability depends on the quality of the hardware, its base material, and the type of finish applied.
When selecting cabinet hardware, consider more than just the appearance of the finish. Think about how it coordinates with your cabinets, countertops, faucets, lighting, and appliances.
Whenever possible, compare actual hardware samples against your cabinet and countertop selections. Colors and undertones can look very different in person than they do online.