Get a grip by choosing the right hardware
It is said that cabinet hardware is the jewelry of your kitchen and bath. Thoughtful selections can help to elevate your project and bring from ho-hum to oh-honey! Don’t leave your hardware as an afterthought. It can have just as much impact as your wall color or the pattern of your countertops. Remember you will be touching and looking at your hardware every day and you should love the way it feels and functions.
There are as many hardware options as there are stars in the sky, but don’t panic. Here are 5 considerations when selecting hardware.
1. Type
A cabinet door seems like such a simple thing….and yet there seems to be a hundred ways to open it. Most folks are familiar with the typical cabinet pull and knob. Some homeowners these days have ditched the knobs and are opting to put only pulls on both the doors and drawers, others are trying some new styles and even some are skipping hardware all together.
2. Location
So, you’ve decided on the type of cabinet hardware you want. Now the question is… where to put it? You might not want to leave this to your cabinet installer because not everyone has the same taste. The traditional installation looks good, but it might not make sense on the type of cabinets you have. I recommend taking painters tape, cutting it to the size of your pulls and putting it on the doors for at least a few hours to see if it looks nice. You might realize at this point that the knobs and pulls are too small or too large. It’s important to get this right before little holes are drilled in your $15,000 cabinets!
3. Finish
The finish of the hardware should add contrast to the room. Your finish should also take into account the color of your cabinets and countertops and the finish on your faucets and appliances. For example, a brass hardware could get lost on a natural color cabinet. But a contrasting black pull could bring a sleek and modern feel to your space.
4. Fit
I cannot say it enough…get touchy-feely with your cabinet pulls! You’ll open your cabinets at least 5 times every day. Don’t you want it to be easy, comfortable, and effortless? Some cabinet pulls have hollow backs that make them feel flimsy, some will twist easily, and you’ll be constantly re-aligning them. Some pulls have sharp edges and corners, and some ladder pulls are notorious for snagging loose clothing. Do you have long nails? Then a finger pull might not be right for you. Have kids that open cabinets with sticky fingers, then stay clear of cup pulls because they are harder to clean. If you have big hands, then definitely get a sample and make sure you can fit your fingers comfortably. A lot of cabinet pulls aren’t returnable but it’s worth the $9 – $12 to get a sample first!
5. Determine size
In general, a 1:3 drawer to pull ratio works best. If you have existing cabinet pulls that you are replacing, then you might be limited by the size of the holes already drilled. If you are starting new, then think about the size of your cabinet doors in comparison to the hardware. The longer the pull the more modern it will look. A simple swap of hardware can bring outdated cabinets into today’s style. Keep in mind your cabinets may reach 9 feet tall, and a teeny, little knob isn’t a good match for something that large. Most pulls will come in 3″, 4″, 5″ and larger; don’t be afraid to put a 12″ pull on a big door and a 3″ pull on a small drawer.
Bottom line, there is almost no right or wrong answer when it comes to selecting your hardware. It is largely driven by personal preference with a few thoughtful considerations that should be given to size and placement. Other than that, if you can imagine it, you can have it. Though if you desire someone to look through your hardware selections with a designer lens, SpaceTurtle Construction can provide you with that guidance.