Cabinet Hardware Buying Guide

Lazzara Cabinet Pulls in Matte Black, Polished Nickel, Brushed Gold, Aged Brass

Cabinet Hardware Buying Guide

Putting your personal stamp on a room starts with cabinet hardware. Small yet impactful, it’s these delightful details that create stunning dimension throughout a room—all while being one of the quickest and easiest refreshes you can make from kitchen to bathroom to mudroom.

Lazzara Cabinet Pulls in Matte Black, Polished Nickel, Brushed Gold, Aged Brass

Cabinet Hardware Buying Guide

Putting your personal stamp on a room starts with cabinet hardware. Small yet impactful, it’s these delightful details that create stunning dimension throughout a room—all while being one of the quickest and easiest refreshes you can make from kitchen to bathroom to mudroom.

If you’re wondering, how do I choose the best cabinet hardware, you’ve come to the right place. To make the hardware hunt easier than ever, follow along as we take a closer look at the cabinet hardware types, styles, materials, and more to choose from.

Types of Cabinet Hardware


The first factor to consider with your cabinet hardware is its type. Dictated by its functionality, the type you choose might be the most important decision—as it impacts your comfort. Here are the four main types to choose from:

Lazzara Cabinet Pull and Knob Cognac Leather - Polished Nickel

Cabinet Pulls

Defined by their bar-like design that attaches to the surface at each end, cabinet pulls are the most widely used option. Also referred to as cabinet handles, drawer pulls, or handle pulls, this type is the easiest to grip, which reduces strain and makes for a mobility friendly option. While associated with drawers, pulls can also be used for doors to create your desired look.

Naturally, cabinet pulls require two or more screws for securing, so choosing the right size is important. The general rule of thumb is one-third the length of the drawer or door for ideal proportion and visual balance. But don’t feel tied to this rule—always prioritize what looks right to you.

Tip: For kitchens with integrated appliances, opt for appliance pulls to seamlessly blend your refrigerator, oven, and dishwasher with the rest of your cabinetry for a clean, cohesive look.

Orwell Radial Textured Cabinet Pull - Brushed Gold, Matte Black, Polished Chrome
Orwell Radial Textured Cabinet Pull in Champagne Bronze

Orwell Radial Textured Cabinet Pull

Strasbourg Solid Brass Cabinet Pull in Black

Strasbourg Solid Brass Cabinet Pull

Belfast Solid Brass Cabinet Pull in Satin Brass

Belfast Solid Brass Cabinet Pull

Jerico Cabinet Pull in Polished Nickel and Stainless Steel

Jerico Cabinet Pull

Cabinet Knobs

Generally best for doors and upper cabinetry, cabinet knobs provide enough grip for opening while leaving the smallest footprint of all the options. That said, knobs can also be used for drawers—especially smaller, less heavy ones—for that distinctly delicate look.

Quite open-ended in terms of design, cabinet knobs take on all kinds of shapes, sizes, colors, and materials, packing a large punch of personality despite their petite size. Unlike handles, cabinet knobs typically require only one mounting screw, making installation relatively simple.

Orwell Radial Textured Round Cabinet Knob - Brushed Gold, Polished Chrome, Champagne Bronze
Orwell Radial Textured Round Cabinet Knob - Brushed Gold
Orwell Radial Textured Round Cabinet Knob
Rodino Solid Brass Round Cabinet Knob in Antique Brass
Rodino Solid Brass Round Cabinet Knob
Brass Round Knob with Beveled Round Base Plate - Antique Brass
Brass Round Knob with Beveled Round Base Plate
Orvin Brass Flat Round Cabinet Knob - Satin Black
Orvin Brass Flat Round Cabinet Knob

Cup Pulls

A great ergonomic choice for drawers, cup pulls are defined by their dome shape that’s enclosed everywhere but the bottom (often resembling a small cup) for easily grasping. Also known as bin pulls or half-moon pulls, these can be round, oval, square, or rectangular and commonly feature some sort of decorative embellishment.

Like regular cabinet pulls, bin pulls typically require two or more screws for mounting.

Barrus Brass Cup Pull - Brushed Nickel
Barrus Brass Cup Pull - Satin Brass
Barrus Brass Cup Pull
Edvard Solid Brass Curved Cup Pull - Oil Rubbed Bronze
Edvard Solid Brass Curved Cup Pull
Edvard Solid Brass Rectangular Cup Pull - Matte Black
Edvard Solid Brass Rectangular Cup Pull
Rustic Style Brass Traditional Cup Pull - Satin Chrome
Rustic Style Brass Traditional Cup Pull

Cremone Bolts

Most often seen on casement windows or French doors, cremone bolts are also offered for kitchen cabinets. Also called surface bolts, this type of decorative cabinet hardware features a knob or lever handle that's attached to an upper and lower rod.

Depending on which way the handle is turned, the rods will either slide into or out of their sockets that are located on the upper and lower sill. Essentially, cremone bolts offer a handle and latch all in one, giving your cabinets a charming, classic feel while keeping them shut securely.

Mini Beaded Brass Cabinet Cremone Bolt - Oil Rubbed Bronze
Mini Beaded Brass Cabinet Cremone Bolt - Oil Rubbed Bronze
Mini Beaded Brass Cabinet Cremone Bolt
Havering Brass Window Cremone Bolt - Polished Brass
Havering Brass Window Cremone Bolt
Dalston Iron Cabinet Cremone Bolt - Black Powder Coat
Dalston Iron Cabinet Cremone Bolt
Stepney Brass Door Cremone Bolt - Brushed Nickel
Stepney Brass Door Cremone Bolt

Tip: As most kitchens use a mix of hardware types, choose from a coordinating hardware collection for pulls and knobs that are made to perfectly complement each other.

Styles of Cabinet Hardware

While functionality is important, so is style. Considered the jewelry of the home, cabinet hardware serves as the ultimate embellishment for bringing your whole look together—so make it specific to you and your home!

From modern to classic, understated to statement-making, what look do you want to evoke? If you aren’t sure where to start, browse through our most popular styles to see what speaks to you. Or to take it a step further, explore our style guides for our specific recommendations.

Modern

Brixlee Reeded Brass Cabinet Pull and Knob in Brushed Nickel and Polished Nickel

Modern

Brixlee Reeded Brass Cabinet Pull and Knob in Brushed Nickel and Polished Nickel
collage of kitchens using modern cabinet hardware
collage of kitchens using modern cabinet hardware
Spurlock Round Cabinet Knob - Champagne Bronze

Traditional

Traditional

Spurlock Round Cabinet Knob - Champagne Bronze
collage of kitchens using traditional cabinet hardware
collage of kitchens using traditional cabinet hardware

Rustic & Industrial

Andrex Knurled Cabinet Pull - Antique Brass

Rustic & Industrial

Andrex Knurled Cabinet Pull - Antique Brass
collage of kitchens using modern industrial hardware
collage of kitchens using modern industrial hardware
Kumano White Mother-of-Pearl Drawer Pull, Barrus Brass Cup Pull

Glam

Glam

Spurlock Round Cabinet Knob - Champagne Bronze
collage of kitchens using glam cabinet hardware
collage of kitchens using glam cabinet hardware

Materials of Cabinet Hardware


Quality cabinet hardware is a must for handling frequent use—not to mention the damp or wet environments cabinets are typically found in. For durability that withstands busy homes and the elements with ease, start with reliable metals like brass, bronze, stainless steel, or zinc.

For visual and textural intrigue, you’ll find additional materials on hardware like acrylic, wood, stone, leather, glass, ceramic, shell, and other novelty options to truly make your cabinets your own.

Lazzara Black Leather Cabinet Pulls and Knobs - Brushed Gold
Omaria Acrylic Cabinet Knob - Polished Nickel
Acrylic
Strasbourg Brass T Knob - Satin Brass
Brass
Solid Bronze Oval Knob with Beveled Round Base - Dark Bronze
Bronze
4" Marta Cast Iron Cabinet Pull - Antique Iron
Cast Iron
Barringer White Ceramic Brass Cabinet Knob - Polished Brass
Ceramic
Simbury Enamel & Brass Cabinet Pull - Seafoam Green
Enamel
Sharber Clear Glass Cabinet Knob in Oil Rubbed Bronze
Glass
Jarek Square Cabinet Knob - Gray Granite/Satin Gunmetal
Granite

Finishes of Cabinet Hardware

Generally, cabinet hardware gets a protective coating, or finish. Not only do quality finishes prevent fading and corrosion of the metal for a consistent look over the years, but they’re offered in an array of tones for customizing to your exact vision.

Just like choosing between gold and silver jewelry, the tone of hardware you choose is deeply personal. While gold finishes create a warm, inviting glow, silver finishes create a cooling effect. Use your cabinet hardware intentionally to create tonal cohesion with the color of your cabinetry or, alternatively, high contrast.

In addition to tone, you’ll also want to consider the level of shine of your cabinet hardware. While polished finishes bounce off light for a highly reflective, elegant sheen, brushed finishes emit a smooth, satiny mid-level shine, and matte finishes absorb light for a muted yet bold look.

Tip: For a layered, lived-in look in your space, try mixing metals with the cabinet hardware itself, or with other metals throughout the room like faucets.

Arles Knurled Brass Cabinet Pull - Matte Black, Brushed Gold, Polished Nickel
brushed gold cabinet hardware finish swatch
Chrome
polished nickel cabinet hardware finish swatch
Polished Nickel
black cabinet hardware finish swatch
Matte Black
antique brass cabinet hardware finish swatch

Antique Brass

oil rubbed bronze cabinet hardware finish swatch
Oil Rubbed Bronze
antique copper cabinet hardware finish swatch
Antique Copper
polished brass cabinet hardware finish swatch
Polished Brass
brushed nickel cabinet hardware finish swatch
Brushed Nickel

Textures of Cabinet Hardware

For an eye-catching, tactile effect applied to the metal itself, you'll find cabinet hardware with a variety of surface techniques and treatments. To showcase exquisite detailing, seek out knurled and reeded textures, or for a one-of-a-kind look, opt for hammered, chiseled, and distressed textures.

knurled cabinet hardware
Knurled
hammered cabinet hardware
Hammered
reeded cabinet hardware
Reeded
distressed cabinet hardware
Distressed
chiseled cabinet hardware
Chiseled
Shop Cabinet and Drawer Hardware