How to Choose the Right Hardware for Custom Cabinets

As far as custom cabinets are concerned, people tend to forget about hardware as something that should be chosen with maximum consideration about both its functionality and appearance. Selecting proper knobs, pulls, hinges and other hardware is not only important to ease in the use of the doors but it also binds the entire appearance of the kitchen or bathroom together. This guide is for you in case you have ever been lost in a showroom with a never ending line of hardware to choose. So, here is how to match hardware to your custom cabinets so they are not only beautiful, but also very functional.

Understanding Types of Cabinet Hardware

A good starting point is to learn what your options are and what the terminology is. Most of the hardware parts used in cabinets are:

• Knobs: Stylish or circular knobs that are put on a cabinet door. Knobs are traditional or modern, are simple to understand and are usually not expensive.
• Pulls: Handles that are elongated and usually mounted handily on drawers but on occasions vertically on doors. Pulls are more grip and they are sleek or ornate.
• Handles: The more generalized term of knobs and pulls, but can also mean lever-style grips.
• Hinges: The fittings on the cabinet door that mount the door to the structural framework and come in line of sight or unsightly options.
• Latches and catches:Not as popular, however, a special type of cabinet/door requiring added security.

Knobs can be thought of as the decorative accessory and pulls as a functional hold on, particularly drawers. Combinations and contrasts of knobs on doors with pulls on drawers is the trend that is very useful.

Matching Hardware to Your Cabinet Style

Your cabinetry will have hardware that should go in tandem with the style of the cabinets. And a few examples of what hardware to choose to match the different cabinet appearances:

Matching hardware style involves taking away the Finishing of the cabinet and all the designs of the room as a whole. A good example is that brass knobs would look great with a dark wood in a classic kitchen, whereas matte black pulls would contrast viscerally on the white modern cabinets.

Choosing the Right Finish

The kind of finish that you use in your cabinet hardware influences the ambiance and the style unity of your place. Typical finishes consist of

• Brass: Enhanced and ostensibly old fashioned, it is best used in traditional or rustic settings.
• Chrome:Bright shiny chrome, perfect to use in contemporary or modern settings.
• Brushed nickel: Less shimmering with a more plastic look that is suitable in transitional or modern kitchen.
• Matte black: Bright and edgy with big contrasts.
• Antique copper: Country, it would look great in a rustic or industrial home.

When choosing a finish, bear in mind metal details that can be in your kitchen or bathroom like faucets, lighting fixtures, and appliances. By coordinating these elements through hardwares finishes, there is a seamless look that is achieved. Alternatively, a more tasteful way of doing this is finishing with a mix (e.g. brass knobs and matte black pulls) but this must be appropriately curated.

Selecting the Proper Size of Hardware

The size is important not only because it looks better but also because it is easier to work with:

• The length of pulls is normally one-third the width of the drawer face. A 4-inch pull could be placed on a 12-inch-deep drawer.
• Knobs must be balanced with respect to door size, either one which is too small or one which is too large does not look right.
• Smaller pulls or knobs can be used on smaller cabinets or upper cabinets, and La Lune knobs can be used on larger drawer fronts.
• Hardware should be easily grasped and should feel comfortable to hold as well without any sharp edges and awkward positions.

The correct size assists in striking the balance between the style and functionality, so it will be used every day with confidence.

Placement and Installation Tips

The location of your cabinet hardware will affect form and performance:

• Knobs: Normally fitted on the top corner of the cabinet doors in a height of 2.5 to 3 inches out of the top or even to the side.
• Pulls: Adhered at the middle of the drawer faces or on the edges of cabinet doors vertically.
• Typical spacing of the pulls is 96mm or 128mm between the screw holes of the drawers, and make sure to measure yours accurately.
• You need consistency within your kitchen or bathroom to make it look coherent.

In case you are not disposing of the existing hardware, then you can measure the hole spacing so that you do not increase your work by drilling the holes.

Factors Beyond Style and Size

As much as style, finish and size might be top of mind, do not forget other aspects to look at:

• Design Feel: The design of the hardware that you can hold with good feel persuades you to use it. Get to touch and feel samples with your hands.
• Quality of materials: Hardware is made of solid metal, and will outlast wear and tear that plastic or plated hardware will.
• Cabinet frame compatibility: Not all hinges or pulls will fit on just any type of cabinet and some require solid mounting surfaces; be sure the cabinet you have you can use the hardware you pick.
• Cleaning and Care: Finishes manufactured in brushed nickel, and chrome can be easily cleaned; whereas, matte or antique finishes look less likely to be marked up with fingerprints, but they do not require the same care.

Practical Tips for Decision Making

To help in making your choice easier

• See samples of hardware at home. To be able to actually see what a hardware looks like in your own lighting, and beside the color of your cabinetry, many suppliers have samples kits that you can attempt.
• Place and hole spacing is marked with a template or ruler.
• Reconcile style and usefulness, combine budget and durability; sometimes pull with somewhat less ornamentation is more resistant.
• Do not hurry- hardware is a detail one uses everyday. It is better to take your time; it may prove fruitful in terms of satisfaction.

Conclusion

Selecting the proper hardware to be used on your custom cabinets is an important process that should be taken seriously as it affects the overall aesthetic appeal and functionality of the area. By being aware of the kind of cabinets you need, the styles, the finishes, the size and their substrates, you can make a dream look more feasible with the types of cabinetry that blends with your design vision and also be able to withstand daily usage with ease and comfort. Thinking carefully about what hardware materials to use is a value addition that makes your kitchen or bathroom pleasing and easier to use.

Ready to start shopping the hardware you need to Installation on your custom cabinets? When you come to Custom Cabinet TX, you will be able to select and choose a large number of high-quality hardware suited to your taste and purpose. Contact us now to receive individual advice, order a sample kit of hardware or visit our showroom in Texas to see the full line-up. When it is time to bring the art of custom cabinetry to the next level I will be happy to collaborate with you.

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