subject: Kitchen Cabinet Hardware: Your Guide [print this page] If you are replacing your cabinets completely or just want to improve your kitchen in the simplest way, changing your cabinet hardware can update your kitchen and give it a different look. Changing you cabinet hardware can be a much quicker and cleaner way to improve your kitchen, in comparison with re-painting and changing your kitchen's colour scheme. If you are going to perform a major overhaul of your kitchen, make sure you complete all painting and staining of your cabinets before installing your new decorative knobs.
Before buying new kitchen cabinet hardware, you need to take accurate measurement of everything, especially the location and spacing of the screws in the cabinets. While you want to limit any cabinet drilling, it's also important to remeber how frustrating it can be to return things to a shop. If you are replacing hardware, it could be a good idea to take samples of your old hardware to the shop with you.
While there are a multitude of colours, finishes and styles available for cabinet hardware, it will come connected by a knob with a single screw, with two screws or as a handle. In some cases, you might not have the choice between the two. If you already have pulls, changing to knobs would mean having to patch up or refinish the old holes left by the original hardware. If you are replacing handles, pay attention to the size of the placement of the holes, not the length of the handle. Measure from the centre of one hole to the centre of the other. Knobs and handles typically come with screws for using with inch thick material.
It looks best to have all of your hardware in the same style, so try to buy everything from the same company so it all has the same look. If you want different styles of hardware, make sure it matches in some way, in either finish or theme. Generally speaking, elegant and sophisticated kitchens use handles and cabinet knobs go brilliantly with a kitchen that is country-themed. Traditional kitchens look great with dull or matte finished metal in stainless steel, nickel, pewter or brass.
You could also match your choice to the room's use. In bathrooms, choose knobs with durable finishes that will not tarnish with high humidity exposure. Think about cleaning as well, for example the kitchen or bathroom is not the ideal spot for ornate knobs. Also consider how often you use your cabinets or doors. If the hardware has some kind of catch or latch system, even though it may look appealing, it could become irritating after a few days.
Make sure you head to the store with colour swatches and paint samples of your cabinets and room along with old knobs, door handles and screws plus the size measurements so you know that you'll be able to get a perfect match for what you want.
