Hardware is a necessary element of the home. More often than not when someone discusses hardware our minds turn to knobs or levers which are used for the function of operating doors and windows. What tends to be forgotten or overlooked most of the time is hardware for cabinetry.

Cabinetry hardware not only serves the functional purpose of making the doors and drawers easier to open, it also helps to preserve and protect the finish of your cabinets especially those that are used on a daily basis such as in the kitchen and bath. I am an advocate for the use of cabinetry hardware not only for the practicality and functionality of this element but for the decorative accent it can bring to your rooms as well.

During your building or remodeling process you will more than likely spend a lot of time working on the designs of your cabinetry by looking at different manufacturers as well as the finish selections and door/drawer styles they have to offer until you find the perfect one which sets the tone for the overall look of the room they will occupy. While contemplating the style and design of your cabinetry you should also be reviewing different styles of decorative knobs and pulls for them as well.

Here are some pointers to use while selecting hardware for your cabinetry:

First off you need to take a count of each door and drawer front so you know how much hardware (the number of pieces) that will be required.

Next consider the finish that you want to use for the hardware such as Nickel, Oil Rubbed Bronze, Polished Chrome, Crystal, Stainless Steel, Iron, Black, Copper, Pewter or even Colored Glass.

The hardware should stand out (be a noticeable accent) on the cabinetry so do not choose a finish which blends in with the finish on the doors/drawers.

Look at the design of the doors and drawer fronts – the style/design of the doors and draws will help to guide you as to the size and proportion of hardware that should be selected.

Slab Doors/Drawers: No detail just a flat panel; no stile or frame. These types can use very long pieces of hardware since there is no other decorative element to the doors/drawers other than the finish. There is a lot of freedom as to where the hardware can be installed on the door and drawer fronts.

Raised Panel Door/Drawers: Center is raised; typically lots of detail to the door/drawer. This design will have frame (stile/rail) around the center panel which typically ranges between 2” to 4” wide thus it is very important to look at the size of the hardware and how it will fit on the frame of the door. With regard to this type of drawer front typically the hardware is mounted on the center of the raised panel so once again you want to make sure that the hardware you are selecting will fit on the raised panel area.

Recessed Panel Door/Drawers: Center is recessed while the stile and frame around the center panel is raised (higher) than the center panel. Again, the stile/rail around the recessed center panel will range between 2” to 4” wide thus it is important to look at the size of the hardware to make sure it fits properly on the frame. With this type of drawer front the hardware can be installed on the top portion of the rail or in the center of the recessed portion of the drawer front.

If you have the opportunity; take a sample of your door and/or drawer front with you to the hardware store so you can hold up samples of hardware to the door/drawer front and get a feel for how the knob or pull will look on the cabinetry.

If you cannot take a sample door/drawer with you then purchase sample items of the hardware (one piece of each knob or pull you are considering) and take them home or to the cabinetry showroom to see what they will look like. Make sure you are able to return the hardware and do not take the hardware out of the packaging unless you are certain you are going to keep it.

You do not have to use the same shape of hardware on the doors and drawers. Mix it up by using pulls on the drawers and knobs on the cabinets or knobs on the cabinets and pulls on the drawers. You can also mix it up by using the same type of pull but in different sizes such as a large one for the doors and a smaller one of in the same design for the drawers.

Drawer fronts are typically thicker than the doors so if you are installing the hardware on the center panel of a raised drawer front you might need longer screws than what comes in the standard package with the hardware. Most hardware stores sell the longer screws needed for drawer fronts but for some reason cabinetry hardware manufacturers do not package an assortment of longer screws with the hardware when they sell it.

Cabinetry hardware is a functional as well as a decorative element. While making this selection for your home remember that this is a perfect opportunity to take your time and look for something special that will accent your cabinetry and make your space unique!