It's much easier and safer to mix different shapes of knobs and pulls in one matching finish. Think about the number of drawers and doors. It can be easier to make multiple styles of hardware work in a larger kitchen with many doors and drawers. Use one style for upper cabinets and a different style for lower cabinets.
The 3 simple rules for mixing cabinet hardware styles: 1) Keep the same finish for all hardware 2) Choose different styles for drawers and doors 3) Use the same pattern for all cabinetry.
If you want a space that leans towards more of the traditional side, the general rule to follow is knobs on doors and pulls on drawers. However, because bathrooms have small drawers and spaces, it is perfectly acceptable to use all knobs or pulls while still maintaining a traditional or modern look.
Why Mix Cabinet Hardware? The two main reasons you may want to use more than one style of cabinet knob and pull are simple: style and function. From a style perspective, mixing different types of hardware can give a kitchen lots of character, adding subtle visual interest.
Can you mix door knobs and door handles? There is nothing wrong with mixing door knobs and door handles, although you may still want to keep the same finishing.
Does door hardware have to match? Door handles, fixtures and fittings, and other hardware don't have to match exactly, but they should blend together to make a harmonious space. If you want a cohesive aesthetic, select hardware that's a similar colour to the finish on your fixtures and appliances.
Do I have to use the same finish throughout the house? Matching hardware isn't necessary.
'Think of your cabinet hardware and kitchen faucet like jewelry,' says Xander Shreenan of Dowsing & Reynolds. 'One should complement the other; creating a beautiful and decorative kitchen that has been tailored to perfection. ' However, bear in mind that anything too matchy-matchy can look contrived.
What usually looks best is a pull length that is about 1/3 the height of the cabinet door and 1/3 the width of the cabinet drawer. Your eyes follow the length of the pull up the height of the door or across the width of the drawer. Pulls don't have to all be the same length as long as the pull design is the same.
Yes, mixing knobs and pulls on kitchen cabinets will help you use them more easily. You can always choose to purchase only knobs or pulls for all of your cabinet hardware, but we advise homeowners to consider how practical your choice will feel on a daily basis.
Cabinet hardware pulls offer a few advantages over cabinet knobs. One advantage is that they tend to be easier to clean since there are no crevices for dirt and grime to collect. cabinet pulls are also less likely to get in the way when you're trying to access the contents of your cabinet.
Traditionally knobs are used for cabinet doors and pulls are used on cabinet drawers however these days anything goes. You will often see people using knobs for drawers for consistency or based on the size of the drawers.
Take Cabinet Placement into Account
In many instances, knobs make it easier to open upper cabinets. Pulls, on the other hand, offer easier operation of lower cabinets.
Knobs tend to be used for cabinet doors, pulls tend to be used with both doors and drawers. They serve both function and style – You want to be able to open your shaker style drawers and doors easily, making all the handles within reach. You of course, also want them to play into the aesthetics of the room.
Does cabinet hardware have to match your faucet? No. But, traditionally kitchens and bathrooms will match hardware finishes to the faucet to tie the finishes in the room together. Matching cabinet hardware to your faucet creates a cohesive look.
Great door and cabinet hardware can make any design look more polished and intentional. Matching hardware instantly adds cohesion to an aesthetic. Small spaces are particularly great candidates for matching hardware. You can match every element of your hardware or match one element, such as the finish.
You can mix knobs and pulls in a kitchen to create visual interest. Use pulls on the drawers and knobs on the doors, or vice versa. Just make sure you choose one pull style and one complementary knob style, and stick with the same finish throughout the kitchen.
Yes, metals like brass are classic, and lucite pulls are glamorous, but a pop of color is where it's at in 2023. Introduce a touch of whimsy into your kitchen with turquoise pulls that pop against white slab cabinets, as seen here in Parisian flat designed by Fabrizio Casiraghi.
Cabinet Pulls Placement
When placing your pulls, remember that the 1'' to 4'' range (based on your personal preference) from the top or bottom edge of the drawer is the ideal placement. The thing to keep in mind with cabinet pulls has to do with placing them vertically or horizontally.
Choosing Color and Finish Based on Tone
Hardware on white cabinets will stand out and steal the show, so it's a great opportunity to go bold! If you have warm tones, go with gold, black, or bronze hardware. If you have a cold grey tone, then silver, pewter, black, and stainless steel hardware will work.
If you want a full handle, you'll want a pull-out wand. If you don't need a full handle, a pull-down won't give you as much space to grab onto the wand. However, it's more ergonomically correct to pull down.
The cabinet hardware finish should coordinate with the cabinet color. White cabinets look great with just about any hardware finish, but light- and dark-colored cabinets should be paired with hardware finishes that make the pulls—and hinges if they're visible—pop.
BRUSHED NICKEL
Brushed/Satin nickel will never go out of style. It is very versatile because it goes with almost any cabinet color and matches great with stainless steel appliances.
Deciding whether or not to choose the same finish for knobs on every door is a common deliberation homeowners have, but unfortunately there's no definitive answer. However, maintaining balance within the home should be a main priority.
Contrasting colors will make the new hardware stand out and give some visual breaks in the monotony of overwhelming golden oak (this is the magic power of distraction) - black, dark oil-rubbed bronze and bright chrome offer the best contrast.