The right cabinet hardware can add a perfect finishing touch and bring a room together, but there are so many options out there that it can be overwhelming. At Jaeger Lumber, we offer a wide range of pulls, knobs, and other cabinet hardware to enhance the look of your kitchen, bath, or any room in your home. Here, we offer some tips for choosing hardware that complements your cabinets and décor just right.

What Color Are Your Cabinets?

When it comes to cabinet hardware, the possibilities are endless, especially if you choose custom cabinetry for your kitchen or bath remodel. There are two basic things to take into consideration when choosing hardware for your cabinets: style and color. More traditional, rustic, stained wood cabinets look great with detailed, textured hardware and finishes like pewter or copper.

If your style is sleek and modern or industrial, you’ll want to choose contemporary or angular designs in materials and finishes like stainless steel, chrome, silver, or black.

Some of the most common finishes on cabinet hardware include:

  • Brass
  • Antique brass
  • Chrome
  • Polished nickel
  • Satin nickel
  • Brushed nickel
  • Oil-rubbed bronze
  • Matte black

Hardware on white cabinets really stands out, so you definitely want it to steal the show. Hardware with a polished brass or gold finish on white or cream cabinets offers a clean, classic look that stands the test of time.

Grays, blues, and greens look great with black, pewter, stainless steel, and silver cabinet hardware. Warm or woody tones go great with finishes like brushed copper or pewter. You’ll want to avoid black hardware on darker cabinets since it will likely blend in and can make it hard to spot drawer or cabinet pulls in dim lighting.

Mix It up or Keep It Simple

Although mixing cabinet hardware colors and finishes is possible, you can never go wrong coordinating them with appliances and light and plumbing fixtures.  If you want to stir things up, consider mixing different styles or shapes of pulls and knobs in the same finishes and textures.

Using one style of knob or handle for upper cabinets and a different style for lower cabinets is an easy way to add some variety without having to use different colors and finishes. You can even add a third style in the same color for drawers and match switch and outlet plates with cabinet hardware. All knobs or all handles in the same style and finish will give the room a more cohesive look.

Maintenance and Functionality

It’s important to keep in mind that the finish of hardware and fixtures isn’t just the material, but the texture as well. For example, polished brass and brushed brass both have gold tones, but look very different because of their levels of shine. Burnished styles are a lot easier to keep clean than shiny, polished finishes, which are prone to showing off fingerprints and smudges.

It’s also vital to think about what you like when it comes to the actual use and opening and closing of your cabinets and drawers. Do you prefer the feel of a knob or a pull? Rounded or square? These may seem like little details, but it’s important to match your preferences, whether you’re installing new cabinets or just freshening things up with new hardware.

Explore Kitchen Cabinet Hardware with Jaeger Lumber

Since 1937, the dedicated professionals at Jaeger Lumber have provided homeowners, builders, and contractors in New Jersey with quality materials and top-notch installation services. We look forward to serving you at any of our eight convenient locations throughout New Jersey. To learn more about cabinet hardware and the other products and services we offer, contact us today.