Putting in new hardware is a simple, easy way to update the look of a kitchen or bathroom. Cabinet hardware comes in a wide variety of styles, colors, and finishes, so there are options to complement any style. Consider them as accessories for your cabinets – the finishing touch that pulls the room together. There’s a lot of different hardware options to choose from, so here are some of the basics between cabinet hardware styles and finishes:

Cabinet Knobs

There are two main knob types: solid and hollow. Solid knobs are sturdy, solid (hence the name), pieces of metal, wood, plastic, or other material that will feel more substantial than their hollow counterpart. Solid pulls tend to be slightly more expensive due to the fact that they require more material to create. Hollow knobs are hollow inside and will feel lighter than solid pulls. A pull being hollow does not necessarily mean that it is low quality, hollowness can allow for printed textures and patterns on the surface, and other design features.

In terms of shape, the majority of knobs will either be round, oval, square, or may feature a sculptural design, such as whimsical shapes.

Cabinet Pulls

The most common styles of cabinet pulls include handle pulls, bar pulls, bail pulls, and cup pulls:

Handle pulls are one of the most common and simple shapes of drawer pull, featuring a handle that is often curved and attached to the cabinet at both ends. Handle pulls are typically installed horizontally on drawers, and vertically on cabinets.

Bar pulls, while similar in design to handle pulls, do not connect to the cabinet or drawer on either end. Instead, they are suspended by supports under the midsection. Bar pulls offer a sleek silhouette and are frequently used in more modern designs.

Bail pulls, also known as drop pulls, consist of two anchors with a pivoting, hinged handle dangling between them. Bail pulls are typically only used on drawers, as they would not hang properly on a cabinet door.

Cup pulls, as their name hints, have a shape akin to an upside-down cup shape. They offer a smooth appearance and give off a country or rustic feel. Like bail pulls, cup pulls are typically only used on drawers, not cabinets.

When installing metal hardware on your cabinets, one of the most important design steps is selecting the finish to use. Here are some of the most common finishes for metal cabinet hardware:

Oil rubbed bronze is a chemically darkened surface that simulates aged bronze. This finish is very dark, varies from a deep brown to a dark near-black gray, and typically has copper undertones.

Polished brass is solid brass that is polished and lacquer-coated to prevent tarnishing over time. Its gold-like appearance allows it to work with many colors and kitchen design styles. Polished is one of the most common finishes and is available for almost any knob or pull style.

Polished Chrome is achieved with polished chrome plating over the top of brass or steel hardware. This finish is frequently associated with very modern styles. If you have a lot of stainless steel appliances, accenting with polished chrome hardware may be the perfect choice.

Satin nickel finishes have a dulled, lacquer-coated nickel plating over brass hardware. Satin nickel is great if you want a silver look, but without the glossy look of polished chrome. Like polished chrome, satin nickel hardware is a perfect accent to kitchen filled with stainless steel appliances.

Pewter finishes are typically not pewter at all, but are often made with a dulled and darkened nickel plating over brass. This is usually preferable over actual pewter, which is soft and can be dinged and dented easily.

Copper finishes typically have the characteristic penny-red tint that the metal is known for, however there are also antique and oxidized versions that lean more towards brown or greenish tints.

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