Design Advice for Picking Cabinet Hardware
by Dorothy Kinkel

Cabinet hardware can be that final detail on a project or an easy way to revive the look of a kitchen or bathroom with minor effort. Cabinet hardware has also become the accessory to compliment the style of a room rather than just something to open a drawer with.

Shopping online for cabinet knobs and drawer pulls can offer a multitude of choices which may not be available locally. Those same choices can also make selecting the cabinet hardware a much more difficult task with all those brands, finishes and styles to choose from.

In most projects, new construction or renovation, cabinet hardware is one of the last choices but it can be made with easier if you have an idea of what you are looking for. The finishes and the colors in the room already will suggest the direction you should go in for the hardware.The components and details make up the complete room so the finish of faucets, light fixtures and even appliances will dictate the path.

Popular finishes in homes are Antique Brass, Stainless Steel or Brushed Nickel and Oil Rubbed Bronze. Polished Chrome is experiencing a very recent resurgence in popularity.

The style may be the most intimidating choice. In most cases you have already made your choices when you picked out the cabinetry or faucets. Is the style in the room traditional or more contemporary?

Many brands such as Avante, Amerock, Liberty Hardware and Schaub & Company offer a little of both for their customers, the traditional and contemporary.

Traditional styles are presented by brands such as Omnia, Top Knobs and Belwith Keeler.

Sugatsune, Valli & Valli and Colonial Bronze offer contemporary designs.

There are the novelty shapes which may catch your eye available in everything from a mushroom shaped knob by Anne at Home for your kitchen cabinet hardware to the bath tub shaped knob by Emenee for a whimsical bath time.

Many manufacturers do offer matching Bathroom Accessories with some collections to go with the cabinet hardware and complete the bathroom décor without the guesswork.

I think the hardest part is making a choice with so many great options available.