One small change, ONE HUGE IMPACT

UPDATING YOUR HARDWARE

Whether you’re planning a full-fledged kitchen remodel, thinking about refinishing a piece of furniture, or hoping to bring a little more character into the bathroom, consider changing the hardware. 

Unlike upgrading the hardware components on your PC, updating the hardware on your kitchen or bathroom cabinets is relatively quick, inexpensive and easier than you’d think. Cabinet knobs aren’t difficult to install: Simply grab a screwdriver, remove the existing knobs and install the new ones for a whole new look. Pro tip: if you have a tricky piece of hardware to fit, take it with you to your home improvement store when you shop for replacements. You may also consider getting the service of an expert plumber to do the installation and to avoid waste of time and money.

Updating your hardware also makes for a great way to give your space a mini-makeover because, after all, your kitchen hardware is really the jewelry of the cabinetry. It can dress a room up or down while making a style statement. 

Choosing new hardware
Once you’ve decided to switch out the old handles for something new, you might find yourself easily lost in making decisions between pull bars, handles, latches, hinges and drop bail pulls, thinking that this all sounds like someone’s workout of the day and not cabinet details! Navigating the hardware section can be overwhelming, but here are a few ideas on how to make choosing new hardware simple and fun.

PROPORTION
Whether you’re simply trading your old door pulls for something new or you want to update the appearance of your home’s doors with a trending style, there are a few things to consider. First, keep scale in mind! When we talk about scale, we’re referring to proportions. For instance, you won’t want to put itty bitty knobs on drawers and then have oversized pulls on cabinet doors — things will seem completely out of proportion. Whatever upgrade you have in mind, make sure that the hardware is in line size-wise!

STYLE
Next, you’ll want to consider the kind of cabinets you have in terms of shape and dimension. A modern cabinet door will benefit from sleek hardware, certainly, but what if your cabinets aren’t brand new? Any cabinetry that features a strong square shape will look lovely with flat bar pulls while a more rounded hardware will complement arched or cathedral style panels. Don’t forget that this is an opportunity to add your own brand of panache, too. Keep things classic with knobs and cup pulls, or impart a chic contemporary flair with thin pull bars.

Getting trendy
Changing your hardware is a good way to freshen up the facade of your doors and keep things current without veering too far into passing trends. That being said, there are a few noteworthy trends in hardware fashion that won’t seem dated anytime soon. For instance, gold hardware enjoyed a resurgence in popularity over the past few years, and that trend is here to stay. Likewise, matte black metal became en vogue with the onset of the modern farmhouse stye. While gray, white and shiplap are on their way out, the matte black metal drawer pulls and doorknobs of modern farmhouse design are sticking around for the long haul. 

Vintage glass knobs and pulls aren’t just for living room and bedroom doors anymore, they’re slowly making their way into more kitchens and bathrooms. They offer an elegant way to give a glamorous touch to any area of your home. 

One new trend for 2023 comes in the form of the edge pull. Streamlined and simple, edge pulls deliver a large dose of up-to-date style in a small, sleek package. And of course, we can’t forget to mention one of the more controversial trends out there (there can be controversy over anything, folks!): mixing metals. Proponents of mixing metals take the point of view that if Rolex can do it, I can, too — and it’s hard to argue with that logic, isn’t it? If you find the mixed metal look appealing and long to add a touch of luxury to your kitchen and bath, then start by evaluating the undertones of the metals. In other words, blending warm and cool tones (e.g. polished chrome paired with nickel) will result in a mismatch, not an artful blend. Instead, try oil-rubbed bronze finishes with copper tones, for example. 

You certainly can and should go ahead and mix finishes if you’re going to mix metals! Pair that polished nickel with satin brass, and remember that matte black plays nicely with essentially any shiny, polished finish. 

Finally, remember that the hardware you choose is really the little something that can tie the elements of a room together. It can add contrast or sheen; it can emphasize a vintage style or a modern design. Enjoy shopping for new “jewelry” for your bath, kitchen or furniture update, and bring a fresh look to your space. ✦