The Expert Guide to Cabinet Hardware Selection
If you have been following along on the blog, you know that we are all about empowering homeowners to plan, organize, and manage their home renovation projects like a pro. When it comes to planning, there are so many things to consider ranging from how you want your space to look and feel to choosing the wow factor item that will make your space uniquely yours!
Today we are focusing on a detail that can easily be forgotten until the last possible minute. This is a finishing touch that can make or break the overall aesthetic of the room you worked so hard to renovate. It deserves attention and thought—yes, that’s right, we are taking a deep dive into the cabinet hardware selection process!
Planning for cabinet hardware selection
Let’s start with the basics. When I am sourcing cabinet hardware for a project, I consider several factors before beginning my search.
Design Style
Before choosing your hardware, you should have a clear vision for the overall design aesthetic of the room you are renovating.
Metal Finish
Determine what metal finishes are already planned in the room.
Pro tip: If you’re wondering where to start, I recommend looking at the plumbing and light fixtures to determine your metal finishes. Don’t be afraid to mix metals to add visual interest to your room!
Budget
Cabinet hardware costs can add up quickly! You might fall in love with a $30 pull and think that is not too expensive. But, when you multiply it by the 32 pulls you need, the total cost might be out of your budget. I recommend that you get comfortable with a hardware budget number before you begin your selection process.
Pulls versus Knobs: When to use them and why
I personally love the design aesthetic of mixed pulls and knobs. It creates visual interest and an opportunity to elevate the kitchen with a variety of pretty hardware. Most often, I select cabinet pulls for drawers and knobs for the doors. In some cases, I use cabinet knobs or a pair of cabinet knobs for drawers.
Image Credit: www.rejuvenation.com
Double knob pros and cons
A double knob installation can be beautiful and look great on certain cabinet styles, such as traditional inset cabinets. This installation type does require that you use two hands to open your drawer. So consider the convenience factor when you are trying to decide if a double knob install per drawer is the right one for you!
Image Credit: www.rejuvenation.com
Cabinet pull tips and tricks
Cabinets pulls tend to be easier to grip. When I am working with clients who are dealing with a weakened hand grip, we will typically recommend installing pulls on both drawers and doors to make the task of opening them easier.
Image Credit: www.rejuvenation.com
When it comes to base cabinets with specialty sliding storage systems like trash or spice rollouts, I most often treat it like a drawer and install a cabinet pull near the top of the door.
How to determine the right pull sizes for your space
Most knob and pull collections you explore will have multiple size options. This provides an opportunity to get the size right for each of your drawers. In most cases, your kitchen will have a variety of cabinet drawer widths and benefit from multiple pull sizes. For example, a 4-inch pull will look great on a 12-inch wide drawer but might feel pretty small on a 36-inch drawer.
When I am deciding on the cabinet pull size for each drawer, I take the drawer width and divide it by three to get my base dimension. I then look at how many drawer widths are planned in my room. My goal is to limit my total drawer pulls to three sizes. Otherwise, it can start looking a little chaotic to my eye.
To help clarify, I created a chart for you below. The chart will help you define the best cabinet pull sizes for your drawers.
Pro tip: Do you have your eye on a dream set of pulls that just don’t fit into your budget yet? Take note of your dream pull installation dimensions and choose placeholder pulls that match those measurements. In most cases, pull sizes are center-to-center installation points rather than overall width. Please take notice of this when you are selecting your pulls. That way, you can easily swap those pulls when you are ready. No patching or paint touch-up is required!
Get your hands on the perfect cabinet hardware for your space!
We’ve covered where to use pulls versus knobs. You’ve learned how to determine what size to order. I think you’re ready for one of the most fun parts—the shopping! I recommend visiting a shop or two that carries quality cabinet hardware so you can see and feel the options. If you have limited options or simply prefer to shop online, here are my recommended next steps to make that process easier for you.
If you start a general search online for cabinet hardware, you could quickly become overwhelmed by the seemingly endless amount of options. I recommend that you do your homework ahead of time and get specific in your search. This way, you are bound to yield a return of options that work for your design style and project needs. For example, you could search vintage brass bin pulls and find the hardware of your dreams on the first try!
There’s nothing like an inspiration board to help jumpstart your search. I’ve shared some boards with different design styles below. Happy shopping!
Cabinet Pull 2. Cabinet Latch 3. Cabinet Pull 4. Cabinet Knob 5. Cabinet Pull 6. Cabinet Knob 7. Cabinet Pull 8. Cabinet Knob 9. Cabinet Knob 10. Cabinet Knob 11. Bin Pull 12. Bin Pull
Cabinet Knob 2. Cabinet Pull 3. Finger Pull 4. Cabinet Knob 5. Finger Pull 6. Bin Pull 7. Cabinet Knob 8. Tab Pull 9. Cabinet Pull 10. Cabinet Pull 11. Cabinet Knob 12. Cabinet Pull
Cabinet Knob 2. Cabinet Knob 3. Cabinet Knob 4. Cabinet Knob 5. Cabinet Knob 6. Finger Pull 7. Cabinet Pull 8. Ring Pull 9. Cabinet Knob 10. Cabinet Knob 11. Cabinet Pull 12. Cabinet Knob
