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DIY Design & Renovation

DIY Design & Renovation

Cabinet Hardware 101

Cabinet Hardware 101

CABINET HARDWARE 101

We’ll be the first to tell you that the little details make the biggest difference, and you bet that cabinet hardware falls into that “little details” category! Hardware is often overlooked because of its small size and because our homes already have them attached to our cabinetry. But when has the landlord starter pack (read: white walls, boring cabinets, etc.) ever stopped you from turning your space into your dream home?! Not then, and certainly not now. This lesson will walk you through hardware placement tips and tricks, finish and material types, and more.

CABINET HARDWARE 101

We’ll be the first to tell you that the little details make the biggest difference, and you bet that cabinet hardware falls into that “little details” category! Hardware is often overlooked because of its small size and because our homes already have them attached to our cabinetry. But when has the landlord starter pack (read: white walls, boring cabinets, etc.) ever stopped you from turning your space into your dream home?! Not then, and certainly not now. This lesson will walk you through hardware placement tips and tricks, finish and material types, and more.

We’ll be the first to tell you that the little details make the biggest difference, and you bet that cabinet hardware falls into that “little details” category! Hardware is often overlooked because of its small size and because our homes already have them attached to our cabinetry. But when has the landlord starter pack (read: white walls, boring cabinets, etc.) ever stopped you from turning your space into your dream home?! Not then, and certainly not now. This lesson will walk you through hardware placement tips and tricks, finish and material types, and more.

CABINET HARDWARE 101

We’ll be the first to tell you that the little details make the biggest difference, and you bet that cabinet hardware falls into that “little details” category! Hardware is often overlooked because of its small size and because our homes already have them attached to our cabinetry. But when has the landlord starter pack (read: white walls, boring cabinets, etc.) ever stopped you from turning your space into your dream home?! Not then, and certainly not now. This lesson will walk you through hardware placement tips and tricks, finish and material types, and more.

CABINET HARDWARE 101

CABINET HARDWARE 101

We’ll be the first to tell you that the little details make the biggest difference, and you bet that cabinet hardware falls into that “little details” category! Hardware is often overlooked because of its small size and because our homes already have them attached to our cabinetry. But when has the landlord starter pack (read: white walls, boring cabinets, etc.) ever stopped you from turning your space into your dream home?! Not then, and certainly not now. This lesson will walk you through hardware placement tips and tricks, finish and material types, and more.

CABINET HARDWARE 101

We’ll be the first to tell you that the little details make the biggest difference, and you bet that cabinet hardware falls into that “little details” category! Hardware is often overlooked because of its small size and because our homes already have them attached to our cabinetry. But when has the landlord starter pack (read: white walls, boring cabinets, etc.) ever stopped you from turning your space into your dream home?! Not then, and certainly not now. This lesson will walk you through hardware placement tips and tricks, finish and material types, and more.

Cabinet hardware accounts for less than 1% of the cost of the average kitchen, yet it’s one of the most important elements in making your home reflect your personality. The more ya know.
Cabinet hardware accounts for less than 1% of the cost of the average kitchen, yet it’s one of the most important elements in making your home reflect your personality. The more ya know.
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WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GET STARTED

🛠️ You will need a few tools to get your new hardware installed. Depending on your cabinet situation, you might need a drill and/or screwdriver and a speed square. More likely than not, you could use a pencil and tape measure. Save yourself time and money, and don't buy the plastic or metal hardware jigs that cabinet companies try to sell you.

✨ Consider what material/finish will look best with your desired look. For a contemporary space, go with stainless steel handles in a polished or brushed finish look. For a space that leans traditional, try pewter or brass. Bronze will wear over time, pairing perfectly with a rustic-style kitchen. For a dramatic look, pair black finish hardware with light-colored cabinetry. Make sure you choose a finish that will complement your overall decor, not just what you think is most beautiful. When in doubt, you can always mix and match finishes.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GET STARTED

🛠️ You will need a few tools to get your new hardware installed. Depending on your cabinet situation, you might need a drill and/or screwdriver and a speed square. More likely than not, you could use a pencil and tape measure. Save yourself time and money, and don't buy the plastic or metal hardware jigs that cabinet companies try to sell you.

✨ Consider what material/finish will look best with your desired look. For a contemporary space, go with stainless steel handles in a polished or brushed finish look. For a space that leans traditional, try pewter or brass. Bronze will wear over time, pairing perfectly with a rustic-style kitchen. For a dramatic look, pair black finish hardware with light-colored cabinetry. Make sure you choose a finish that will complement your overall decor, not just what you think is most beautiful. When in doubt, you can always mix and match finishes.

🛠️ You will need a few tools to get your new hardware installed. Depending on your cabinet situation, you might need a drill and/or screwdriver and a speed square. More likely than not, you could use a pencil and tape measure. Save yourself time and money, and don't buy the plastic or metal hardware jigs that cabinet companies try to sell you.

✨ Consider what material/finish will look best with your desired look. For a contemporary space, go with stainless steel handles in a polished or brushed finish look. For a space that leans traditional, try pewter or brass. Bronze will wear over time, pairing perfectly with a rustic-style kitchen. For a dramatic look, pair black finish hardware with light-colored cabinetry. Make sure you choose a finish that will complement your overall decor, not just what you think is most beautiful. When in doubt, you can always mix and match finishes.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GET STARTED

🛠️ You will need a few tools to get your new hardware installed. Depending on your cabinet situation, you might need a drill and/or screwdriver and a speed square. More likely than not, you could use a pencil and tape measure. Save yourself time and money, and don't buy the plastic or metal hardware jigs that cabinet companies try to sell you.

✨ Consider what material/finish will look best with your desired look. For a contemporary space, go with stainless steel handles in a polished or brushed finish look. For a space that leans traditional, try pewter or brass. Bronze will wear over time, pairing perfectly with a rustic-style kitchen. For a dramatic look, pair black finish hardware with light-colored cabinetry. Make sure you choose a finish that will complement your overall decor, not just what you think is most beautiful. When in doubt, you can always mix and match finishes.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GET STARTED

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GET STARTED

🛠️ You will need a few tools to get your new hardware installed. Depending on your cabinet situation, you might need a drill and/or screwdriver and a speed square. More likely than not, you could use a pencil and tape measure. Save yourself time and money, and don't buy the plastic or metal hardware jigs that cabinet companies try to sell you.

✨ Consider what material/finish will look best with your desired look. For a contemporary space, go with stainless steel handles in a polished or brushed finish look. For a space that leans traditional, try pewter or brass. Bronze will wear over time, pairing perfectly with a rustic-style kitchen. For a dramatic look, pair black finish hardware with light-colored cabinetry. Make sure you choose a finish that will complement your overall decor, not just what you think is most beautiful. When in doubt, you can always mix and match finishes.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GET STARTED

🛠️ You will need a few tools to get your new hardware installed. Depending on your cabinet situation, you might need a drill and/or screwdriver and a speed square. More likely than not, you could use a pencil and tape measure. Save yourself time and money, and don't buy the plastic or metal hardware jigs that cabinet companies try to sell you.

✨ Consider what material/finish will look best with your desired look. For a contemporary space, go with stainless steel handles in a polished or brushed finish look. For a space that leans traditional, try pewter or brass. Bronze will wear over time, pairing perfectly with a rustic-style kitchen. For a dramatic look, pair black finish hardware with light-colored cabinetry. Make sure you choose a finish that will complement your overall decor, not just what you think is most beautiful. When in doubt, you can always mix and match finishes.

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Let’s define some hardware types and go over installation tips.

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First, you’ll need to decide if you want to use knobs, pulls, or a combo of both. There are no hard and fast rules as to which you should use. Generally speaking, a good rule of thumb is to attach knobs to cabinet doors and pulls on drawers. Remember that rules are sometimes meant to be broken, so if attaching knobs to cabinets or pulls on drawers doesn’t feel right in your space, switch things up!

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Knobs are small and typically round. They have a smaller profile than handles, are less expensive, and can be used for both drawers and cabinets. They’re also easy to install because you only need one screw to secure it. 

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Pulls are longer and thinner handles that provide more surface area for an easier grab than knobs. They tend to be more expensive because they are larger in size.

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When selecting hardware finishes, consider the color palette of your space and what other finishes exist in your room. Hardware commonly comes in black, brass, chrome, bronze, nickel, rose gold, and stainless steel — but you can also find custom hardware in different colors or textures.

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Installing cabinet hardware is generally a painless and straightforward process. 

Measure your existing pulls or knobs and purchase new hardware of the same size. Pro-tip: You can bring your pre-existing hardware to a store to match the sizes or compare measurements online. Once you've purchased your new hardware, you'll need to place them into the pre-existing holes. Line up your new hardware in the pre-existing hole and begin screwing it through. Tighten the hardware until it feels secure and doesn’t move around.

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If you're installing cabinet hardware in a different size or shape than your existing hardware, that's no problem! Grab some wood putty, a knife, and a drill.

Remove your old hardware, filling any unwanted holes with putty of a similar color as your cabinet. Use your putty knife to smooth over the holes, leaving a clean finish. Mark and measure where you'll need your new holes and drill accordingly. Place your new hardware in the holes and screw in tightly.

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With all things in design, this can vary based on personal preference, but there are a couple of recommendations you can follow here.

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For knobs, going with 1-1/4" is always a safe bet. You can always go up or down as needed! For a dramatic and oversized look, go larger. For a minimal look, size down. 

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Use the “one-third” rule to select pull lengths for cabinets and drawers. This states that the pull length is approximately 1/3 of the cabinet or drawer width.

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DON'T BE AFRAID TO MIX METALS

Yes, it’s okay to mix and match! As long as you’re being intentional about your mixing, your design will be just fine. The TLDR is it’s all about balance. Don’t stick to just one metal otherwise, your room will look too one-dimensional or flat. Do pick a dominant metal and select one or two others to complement it and your space. No matter what, trust your instincts and choose what feels best for you and your home!

DON'T BE AFRAID TO MIX METALS

Yes, it’s okay to mix and match! As long as you’re being intentional about your mixing, your design will be just fine. The TLDR is it’s all about balance. Don’t stick to just one metal otherwise, your room will look too one-dimensional or flat. Do pick a dominant metal and select one or two others to complement it and your space. No matter what, trust your instincts and choose what feels best for you and your home!

Yes, it’s okay to mix and match! As long as you’re being intentional about your mixing, your design will be just fine. The TLDR is it’s all about balance. Don’t stick to just one metal otherwise, your room will look too one-dimensional or flat. Do pick a dominant metal and select one or two others to complement it and your space. No matter what, trust your instincts and choose what feels best for you and your home!

DON'T BE AFRAID TO MIX METALS

Yes, it’s okay to mix and match! As long as you’re being intentional about your mixing, your design will be just fine. The TLDR is it’s all about balance. Don’t stick to just one metal otherwise, your room will look too one-dimensional or flat. Do pick a dominant metal and select one or two others to complement it and your space. No matter what, trust your instincts and choose what feels best for you and your home!

DON'T BE AFRAID TO MIX METALS

DON'T BE AFRAID TO MIX METALS

Yes, it’s okay to mix and match! As long as you’re being intentional about your mixing, your design will be just fine. The TLDR is it’s all about balance. Don’t stick to just one metal otherwise, your room will look too one-dimensional or flat. Do pick a dominant metal and select one or two others to complement it and your space. No matter what, trust your instincts and choose what feels best for you and your home!

DON'T BE AFRAID TO MIX METALS

Yes, it’s okay to mix and match! As long as you’re being intentional about your mixing, your design will be just fine. The TLDR is it’s all about balance. Don’t stick to just one metal otherwise, your room will look too one-dimensional or flat. Do pick a dominant metal and select one or two others to complement it and your space. No matter what, trust your instincts and choose what feels best for you and your home!

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