Cabinet Hardware One of the easiest and most dramatic improvements you can make to your kitchen, bedroom, or bathroom is getting new cabinet hardware that compliments the room and matches your own personal style.
Cabinet Hardware - Decorative Hardware
What is Cabinet Hardware?
If you’re searching the internet for a simple explanation of cabinet hardware, you really won’t find one! Yes, you can find out what a knob, pull or hinge is. But why isn’t there a definition of “cabinet...
What is Cabinet Hardware?
If you’re searching the internet for a simple explanation of cabinet hardware, you really won’t find one! Yes, you can find out what a knob, pull or hinge is. But why isn’t there a definition of “cabinet hardware” and how to use it if there so many types and styles available? We’ll spell it out for you (literally):
cab·i·net hard·ware [kab-uh-nit hahrd-wair]
noun
metal fixtures added to the outside of cabinets, that allow for the cabinet doors to open and close easily; includes hinges, knobs and pulls.
With all the types of cabinets and styles of kitchens and baths, you can see why there are so many sizes, shapes and colors of cabinet hardware. We’ll explain the different types of hardware and tell you how and where to use them. This guides you through the explanation, background, and contemporary uses and styles of knobs and pulls so that you know all you need to know before buying new hardware that updates your room.
The Basics of Cabinet Hardware
Cabinet Knobs
Knobs and pulls give the user something to grasp instead of trying to open a door pane that is flush against the cabinet frame. Knobs are usually small, rounded fixtures designed to fit ergonomically between a persons fingers to allow them to easily open the door. Knobs only mount at one point on the door pane.
General idea: Usually mounts with a 1 inch included screw for doors and 1 ¼ to 1 ½ inch screws for drawers, but 1 inch also works. Knobs may be any number of overall sizes. Placement is up to the installer.
Cabinet Pulls
Cabinet pulls also function to open the cabinet door, but are attached at two points on the door which leaves an archway of space between the pull and the door pane. The user simply pulls the handle to open the door. Pulls are also often referred to as drawer pulls, because many homeowners find it easier to open cabinet drawers with horizontally mounted pulls than with knobs.
General idea: Most common size pull is 3 inch center to center. 3 ¾ inch is also common, but pulls can be also be a number of sizes. (2 ½, 4, 5 or 6 inches for example) A 1 inch screw is usually used to mount cabinet pulls. Placement is up to the installer.
Cabinet Hinges:
Cabinet hinges hold the door onto the cabinet frame. Hinges can be complicated because they are a mechanical device with a purpose, so if they are not installed properly and with the right size they will not work.
2 Basic Hinge Types:
Surface Mount: these are used for doors that overlap against the cabinet frame. If you want to replace surface mount hinges, you will likely have to replace them with similar surface mount hinges. There is more freedom to change the size of the hinge with surface mount than with recessed hinges.
Inset/Recessed: these are the current model usually used for new cabinets. In these cabinets, the door is flush/inset with the cabinet frame. With these hinges, you will need to keep to the same size if replacing them.
A newer upgrade for recessed doors is called soft close. These hinges catch the door from slamming shut and instead gently close it once it is pushed. These upgrades are usually available as a special order.
Knobs and pulls have been used on various types of furniture such as dressers, buffets, and bureaus for hundreds of years and are similar to the cabinet knobs and pulls of today but are not used interchangeably. Historical pulls and knobs are the inspiration for many of today’s designs, but were manufactured in a different scale of size and number. Furniture makers of the past may have needed only 6 pieces of hardware for each of their handcrafted dressers or other furniture, and the hardware was small and spaced differently on the antique item. Picture of antique dresser
Cabinet hardware has been needed in larger quantities since improvements in kitchen design were made in the 1920’s through the post WWII industrial era. Since then it has changed greatly in quality and level of decoration. Up to 100 knobs and pulls can be needed for a modern kitchen, and it is also displayed on bathroom vanity cabinets and in some drawered closets, making it in great demand for the home. Though cabinet hardware was first used solely as functional pieces to hold the doors onto the frame and to open the doors, it now is used as an accessory and is made in thousands of designer styles and brands. Today, homeowners put extra storage cabinets in even their garages and toolsheds, making more styles and functions especially necessary for those who value both design and space.
Some of the biggest hardware makers such as Hickory Hardware and Amerock have been in the production business for 80 to 100 years, starting as small furniture hardware makers and gradually increasing in size and demand for the cabinet hardware sold in stores today.
What Material Is Cabinet Hardware Made From?
Before there were metal alloys and man made materials, cabinet hardware was made from non-precious metals such as brass. Polished brass was a commonly used metal for hinges and is still a popular hinge choice, but many other options are now available. Glass knobs were also a traditionally popular style of knobs and many owners look for antique glass knobs for their homes.
Most knobs and pulls are now made from advanced zinc alloys and covered in the desired metal finish like oil rubbed bronze or satin nickel. Some of these finishes have a lifetime guarantee that they will not scratch or decay. Other common materials for hardware manufacturing are steel, stainless steel and brass. Unique materials such as granite stone or wood knobs and pulls can be found and purchased at specialty retailers.
Cabinet Hardware Finishes
Knobs and pulls can be made in any finish, but the most popular modern finishes are oil rubbed bronze and satin nickel. Many contemporary homes also use matte black for a sleek look. The finish is not the only element used for creating the desired look, but a contemporary pull with an oil rubbed finish will look very different than the same pull with a weathered or brushed nickel finish.
Other finishes include antique copper, polished chrome, iron and rustic collections. You will be able to find a finish to match any color palette in your kitchen or bath, as these are just some of the most often purchased.
Cabinet hardware in one of the warm tone finishes like oil rubbed bronze or antique copper looks nice on almost any shade of wood cabinet door, or on cabinet doors that are painted earth tones or neutral tones. If you choose cream, white or black doors they will also look nice.
Cool Tone Finishes (Silver/Black Tones)
Nickel – satin nickel, black nickel, weathered nickel
Black – matte black, black iron, weathered black
Chrome – polished chrome
Iron – wrought iron, Swedish iron
Pewter – antique pewter, weathered pewter
Stainless Steel
Knobs and pulls in a cool tone finish are very popular and match almost anything. They look nice on both white and black, on earth tone painted doors, or on various cool shades like blue and green. They also look nice on any wooden door pane.
Finishes Based on Kitchen Styles
Styles of cabinet hardware go along with the current themes for kitchen and bath design.
Modern/Contemporary: Sleek, contemporary and cool. It’s everything you would expect of a Manhattan loft - nothing is too bold and demanding your attention, and instead everything looks like it flows from ceiling to floor with smooth motion. It’s attractive and smart but not pretentious. Think dark woods, neutral wall tones and muted accessories in the kitchen. The cabinet hardware will reflect that with brushed metals and geometric shapes like squares or dots. The knobs and pulls will be simple and refined, with sleek lines very little detail.
Country: Homey, comfortable and warm. Picture Aunt Nancy’s house on Thanksgiving day – old American metal stars, neat antiques hanging on the walls, and the smell of apple and cinnamon. Country kitchens use rustic wood, ornamental decorations and earthy tones. Cabinet hardware will likely have an engraved design and shaped with a scalloped edge, overlaid weave pattern or braid. Weathered nickel and oil rubbed bronze are popular choices in a country kitchen because they match the antique and well-worn feeling of the rest of the home.
Cottage: Relaxed and charmingly sophisticated. This kitchen has a lot of windows and natural light, so the sunlight emphasizes the English-country accents and flea market treasures. The walls are cheery colors to play up the humble countertops and bead board cupboards. Cabinet pulls and knobs for a cottage look will have a smooth satin nickel finish, rather than a flashy and polished finish. Colorized glass knobs would also be a perfect blend for this quaint theme.
Traditional: Elegant, bright and adaptable. This is the everyday Mom’s kitchen with an upgrade. Traditional kitchens tend to showcase lighter woods and cream cabinets, marbleized-look countertops and ornamentation on trim pieces. There is lots of pantry space, functionality and room for people to gather and talk. Traditional kitchens often highlight stainless steel appliances, so stainless steel or satin nickel cabinet knobs and pulls that are simple but with a hint of details look great. Knobs and pulls may have a partial fleur-de-lis style or birdcage twist, for example.
Old World: Warm and oversized. Old world kitchens might remind you of Italian architecture and Tuscan villas, with their colonnade-inspired edges, large tables and open cooking areas. They usually use strong, dark wood cabinetry and likewise, heavier cabinet hardware in an iron or oil rubbed bronze finish. You can’t go too big with an Old World kitchen, so don’t be afraid to use a large, distinguished knob and pull set with a weathered finish.
Eclectic: Interesting and personalized. Eclectic style is a mix of modern and traditional elements. It doesn’t mean random or haphazard, but instead this style is a blend of pieces that the designer chooses to coordinate. You may see a smattering of metal wall art, floral decorations, personal items and neutral tones that are invigorated by bold accent colors. Really, it’s just designer’s choice! Cabinet hardware can be bright and noticeable like golden cup pulls, or muted and easy to blend like a contemporary matte black set. A smooth euro inspired set in polished chrome would add a sleek element to a simple cupboard that’s stuffed with neat dishes and cookware.
Follow this link to Better Homes and Gardens for a gallery of photos of beautiful and versatile kitchen cabinets with ideas for cabinet doors and knobs in all of the above styles. Kitchen Cabinets: Stylish Ideas for Cabinet Doors
Choosing Cabinet Knobs and Handles Online:
Don’t be intimidated by purchasing your new hardware online. You can get your items quick and easily, and the checkout systems offer security programs to maintain your credit card privacy. It may be helpful to peruse a hardware store at a physical location so that you can get an idea of the styles that you like and to have a visual idea of the color, but you will get a better price and better selection buying on the internet.
Finish: Keep in mind that ordering an oil rubbed bronze finish knob or pull from one manufacturer such as Hickory Hardware may not be exactly the same as an oil rubbed bronze finish from another manufacturer like Stone Mill Hardware. Though they should be very similar, the copper undertones may show through in different amounts, or the bronze may appear darker or lighter, for example. To be completely sure to get a matching finish, select hardware from only one manufacturer. To view all of the hardware available in a certain finish, use the search bar to type oilrubbedbronze, pewter or another desired finish, then narrow down the search based on a favorite color or style. You could then search again by manufacturer name to see what else that company offers to match the item you like.
Customer Service: If you like to get advice or ask questions to the handyman in the hardware store, you can still do that online! Many websites have an email support or chat function or welcome phone calls to help their customers make the right choices. You can ask the customer service department to help you with measurements, the finish, style, finding a good match, or any other questions you have. You can shop online 24 hours a day, and it’s possible that there would be online help resources to guide you even if there is no representative available immediately.
Pricing: Another reason to buy online rather than in a hardware store is because of discount pricing. Online retailers are often able to offer a regular price that is equal to or even less than a hardware store’s sale price. Don’t get trapped buying expensive hardware in stores when you can get it at a more reasonable price online!
Shipping: Keep in mind shipping costs, which will add to your total cost amount. Look at the shipping policy page of the site to find out if you will be charged by weight or by a flat rate. A flat rate means that you can buy as many drawer pulls or knobs as you’d like and no matter how light or heavy the package is, they will send it to your address for one price. They could arrive in any time between 2 days and 2 weeks. You may need to ask for a quote on the ship cost if you are an international customer.
For Builders and Contractors: Just like working with a supplier or distributor in your local town, you may be able to contact your preferred online seller to ask for a discount if you are doing a lot of business with them. If you are remodeling multiple homes or are a repeat customer, your online seller may be able to set up an account with you that makes reordering easy.
When installing new cabinet hardware or replacing old hardware, knowing the correct size hardware you need is key when making your choice from the wide selection available. The specifications and other information that you need should be clearly listed in the product description.
For Pulls: Measuring for pulls is slightly more complicated than measuring for knobs, because there are two holes instead of one.
For drawers: If you want your pulls to be in the very center of the drawer, measure the length and height of the drawer and mark the very center based on those two measurements. Then measure the center to center length of your pull, and mark where you need drill holes on either side of the drawer’s center based on the length of your pull.
For doors: Decide how close to the bottom corner of the door pane you want your pulls to be. If you think 2 inches from the bottom and 1 inch from the side looks best, mark holes as needed and measure up vertically to get the top hole correctly placed.
For Knobs: Measuring center to center isn’t needed for installing cabinet knobs, because you will only need to drill one hole. Knobs are not commonly used on drawers, so you should only need to measure and mark your cabinet door. If you think 2 inches from the bottom and 1 inch from the side looks best, mark the hole as needed.
How to Measure and Install New Cabinet Hardware
How to Install Cabinet Hardware
Once your holes are measured, installation is easy.
Check the length of the screws you have to make sure that they are not longer than the width of the door or drawer.
Select the correct size drill bit and gently drill the holes where you’ve marked. Use a piece of scrap wood against the back side of the drawer or door to prevent the screw from splintering the wood.
Screw the new hardware in place, making sure each is properly aligned.
Replacement knobs or pulls are a great solution for updating your home without a big cost or great effort. All you need to do is make sure that the new hardware fits the old holes and covers any marks or wear that the previous knobs, pulls, or switchplate might have left. Backplates often leave more discoloration that could look funny if not covered by a new backplate.
More Information on Cabinet Hardware
Check out home improvement and renovation blogs or a blog that gives tips for updating and restoring your home, such as 416 Fixer Upper, where a couple repair their 90 year old home.
You can find books about home improvement, cabinetry, how-tos and more in a library or bookstore. Many are written by industry experts who have years of experience and want to help new home owners or do-it-yourselfers.
You can watch videos on almost every topic on YouTube or do-it-yourself sites. These how-to videos are often very short and highly understandable. They make a great tool for those who are visual learners!
After measuring, ordering and installing new cabinet hardware you may get comments from friends who would like you to help with their own mini home makeover, so keep learning and good luck!
First, you will need to find an appropriate cleaner for your cabinet knobs and cabinet pulls. You can start your search at your local hardware or grocery store. Oftentimes, these stores offer several pastes or liquid cleaners that are usable for your specific hardware. Sometimes, especially if you have had your hardware for some time, it may have become tarnished. If this is the case, you will need to look for a tarnish removing cleaner.
Second, You will want to take the cabinet hardware off of the cabinets. Simply use a screwdriver to unscrew the hardware. Being careful not to loose the screws. Go ahead and clean the any visible screws before you return your hardware to your cabinets.
Third, Mix together equal parts warm water and vinegar. This is to soak both the hardware and the screws. This can loosen all of the dirt, hand oil, and grease that has built up on your knobs and pulls. This does not take very long. Ten minutes should be more than adequate.
Fourth, individually clean each piece of hardware. Use a soft brush, old toothbrush, or paintbrush to bush off any remaining bits of dirt. Here is where you will want to apply the substance that you found at the store. Use the liquid or a paste to begin to clean the hardware. There ought to be directions on the bottles about the specific application directions of the products. Usually they require you to soak and/or soak the pieces of hardware that you are cleaning.
Fifth, wash off the solution. Either this will require rinsing off the hardware or wiping it down with warm water running on it. Using a cloth or towel to make sure that you can removed all of the cleaner can be a good idea.
Sixth, shine the metal part of the cabinet knobs and pulls with a different, dry cloth until they are totally dry. Careful not to use a hard or scratchy clothe.
Seventh, this is a great opportunity to clean the parts of your cabinets that you usually cannot reach. While the hardware is off, wipe down your cabinets and remove all of the dirt and signs of wear. For many cabinets, you can be really thorough by using a wood cleaner.
Eighth, screw the hardware back into the cabinets with your screw driver.
Cleaning your Cabinet Hardware is not a hard process, but it is one that can make a huge difference in the look of your rooms. I encourage you to do remember to do it every so often. Good luck and you know where to go when cleaning is not all that is needed. You guessed it! You can always come to Your Home Supply to find quality, cheap cabinet hardware.
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