source-decorpad Adding knobs and pulls to cabinets may seem like just mundane hardware, whose only purpose is to provide a means for opening cabinet doors and drawers. However, they don't have to be just that.
Knobs and pulls help protect your cabinet finish because you are not transferring the oils on your fingers to the cabinet fronts.
You will also need them to open your doors and drawers if you have a frameless or full-overlay cabinet, since your fingers won't fit in the reveals of the cabinet for operation.
They may be small, but cabinet knobs can have a big effect on the functionality and look of your kitchen.
Decorative but functional cabinet hardware is a wonderful way to add your personal flair that will enhance your cabinets.
Knobs and pulls help protect your cabinet finish because you are not transferring the oils on your fingers to the cabinet fronts.
You will also need them to open your doors and drawers if you have a frameless or full-overlay cabinet, since your fingers won't fit in the reveals of the cabinet for operation.
They may be small, but cabinet knobs can have a big effect on the functionality and look of your kitchen.
Decorative but functional cabinet hardware is a wonderful way to add your personal flair that will enhance your cabinets.
Knobs and pulls come in a wide variety of styles, profiles, finishes and unlimited array of shapes.
Styles range from traditional, clean and contemporary, vintage to whimsical and jewelry like.
Cabinet pulls and knobs are investments in your spaces that will last you for many years to come. The most important thing is to make choices that work with the style of your space, the appliances, fixtures and to make selections that are comfortable to use and that you will love for years to come.
Before you begin the selection of new hardware, we hope you will browse through the information below, which we believe will help you to make just the right choice.
Remember, you'll be touching and seeing this hardware several times a day!
Styles range from traditional, clean and contemporary, vintage to whimsical and jewelry like.
Cabinet pulls and knobs are investments in your spaces that will last you for many years to come. The most important thing is to make choices that work with the style of your space, the appliances, fixtures and to make selections that are comfortable to use and that you will love for years to come.
Before you begin the selection of new hardware, we hope you will browse through the information below, which we believe will help you to make just the right choice.
Remember, you'll be touching and seeing this hardware several times a day!
S O M U C H T O C H O O S E F R O M
It's a wonder that anyone arrives at a final decision with so many different styles of cabinet hardware to choose from. Styles, finishes, patterns, size and combinations of mixing knobs with pulls can be a bit over whelming and quite confusing!
While you might think that this is purely a decision based on knobs that look nice, you might want to rethink that position. Yes, they do need to look good. But, some of those theme based and trendy knobs or pulls can be a nuisance. That interesting novelty star fish knob may look nice but they can also feel awkward to grasp or end up as clothing catchers and quite difficult to keep clean. However, these fun and interesting knobs or pulls can look great plus function perfectly on less often used cabinetry, such as a hutch or display cabinet.
There is much to be said for how they "feel" in not only your hand but also the hands of others in the household.
S T Y L E & F I N I S H E S
One of the first things to consider is the décor of the room. Do you want the end result to reflect a contemporary look, old world craftsman, traditional, elegant, eclectic or any other style?
If you have lighting fixtures of a particular style such as craftsman, then choosing hardware that builds on that same style will result in a pulled together look.
The past trends of matching all metal finishes, such as matching stainless steel appliances with brushed steel or nickel knobs is fading. It's perfectly fine to mix finishes of cabinet hardware.
While it's safe to match your hardware with the faucet or light fixtures, we are seeing more and more of the mixing of different finishes in today's kitchens.
You may prefer to have your cabinets appear more furniture like. If so, then using a different finish that does not match appliance or plumbing fixtures, will accomplish that.
Take note of your cabinet style, counter top edge, lighting fixtures and any other important design elements. Do they have square or curved lines?
Choose hardware that is consistent with the type of lines in your design.
It's a wonder that anyone arrives at a final decision with so many different styles of cabinet hardware to choose from. Styles, finishes, patterns, size and combinations of mixing knobs with pulls can be a bit over whelming and quite confusing!
While you might think that this is purely a decision based on knobs that look nice, you might want to rethink that position. Yes, they do need to look good. But, some of those theme based and trendy knobs or pulls can be a nuisance. That interesting novelty star fish knob may look nice but they can also feel awkward to grasp or end up as clothing catchers and quite difficult to keep clean. However, these fun and interesting knobs or pulls can look great plus function perfectly on less often used cabinetry, such as a hutch or display cabinet.
There is much to be said for how they "feel" in not only your hand but also the hands of others in the household.
S T Y L E & F I N I S H E S
One of the first things to consider is the décor of the room. Do you want the end result to reflect a contemporary look, old world craftsman, traditional, elegant, eclectic or any other style?
If you have lighting fixtures of a particular style such as craftsman, then choosing hardware that builds on that same style will result in a pulled together look.
The past trends of matching all metal finishes, such as matching stainless steel appliances with brushed steel or nickel knobs is fading. It's perfectly fine to mix finishes of cabinet hardware.
While it's safe to match your hardware with the faucet or light fixtures, we are seeing more and more of the mixing of different finishes in today's kitchens.
You may prefer to have your cabinets appear more furniture like. If so, then using a different finish that does not match appliance or plumbing fixtures, will accomplish that.
Take note of your cabinet style, counter top edge, lighting fixtures and any other important design elements. Do they have square or curved lines?
Choose hardware that is consistent with the type of lines in your design.
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O T H E R P R A C T I C A L C O N S I D E R A T I O N S
Consider purchasing knobs that feel good to the touch since you and family members will be pulling on them several times a day. If the pull or knob feels weak, rough, or uncomfortable, opt for smoother or studier selections.
A knob that a woman's fingers fit perfectly around, may be too small for the man of the house. If the knob is too low to the cabinet, a man's knuckles will constantly bang the cabinet when he tires to grasp a knob that doesn't fit his finger in height. Kitchens where knob or pull height is too low, will show wear on the door finish where fingers constantly touch and rub.
Cabinet knobs and some pulls, depending on style and shape, can catch on clothing such as pockets on base cabinets. Look for smooth edges without protruding extensions that avoid acting as clothing catchers.
Unless your cabinet doors are flat, most will have a frame around them. These are typically the pieces of the doors that knobs or pulls will be mounted on. Since the width of these can vary with the style of the cabinet, it's best to actually hold the knob or pull you are considering on a sample of your door. This will allow you to see if what you are considering might be either too large or too small for the area it will be mounted on.
Spending a few dollars on a sample knob if free samples are not offered by the manufacturer, can be well worth it. A sample will help you see how they'll look on your cabinets as well as to make sure they will feel right.
Commonly named finishes such as "oil rubbed bronze" are not color consistent between manufacturers. It's far safer to order all pulls and knobs if one finish is being used from the same company.
Finishes on knobs and pulls may wear and change over time, depending on the material used. Oil rubbed bronze will wear and reveal a different color in the wear areas. This is a desired look for some people, but for others could be a disappointment.
Kitchens are lived in and things get dirty, including and especially knobs and pulls. Knobs or handles with intricate designs may be difficult to clean. As you shop, imagine how much effort it will take to clean up typical things such as dried batters, oils and flour from detailed knobs.
Pulls or knobs that will require two holes drilled into your doors or drawers will limit you in the future if you choose to replace your hardware. The next pulls will need to have the exact came drilling distance between holes.
Consider purchasing knobs that feel good to the touch since you and family members will be pulling on them several times a day. If the pull or knob feels weak, rough, or uncomfortable, opt for smoother or studier selections.
A knob that a woman's fingers fit perfectly around, may be too small for the man of the house. If the knob is too low to the cabinet, a man's knuckles will constantly bang the cabinet when he tires to grasp a knob that doesn't fit his finger in height. Kitchens where knob or pull height is too low, will show wear on the door finish where fingers constantly touch and rub.
Cabinet knobs and some pulls, depending on style and shape, can catch on clothing such as pockets on base cabinets. Look for smooth edges without protruding extensions that avoid acting as clothing catchers.
Unless your cabinet doors are flat, most will have a frame around them. These are typically the pieces of the doors that knobs or pulls will be mounted on. Since the width of these can vary with the style of the cabinet, it's best to actually hold the knob or pull you are considering on a sample of your door. This will allow you to see if what you are considering might be either too large or too small for the area it will be mounted on.
Spending a few dollars on a sample knob if free samples are not offered by the manufacturer, can be well worth it. A sample will help you see how they'll look on your cabinets as well as to make sure they will feel right.
Commonly named finishes such as "oil rubbed bronze" are not color consistent between manufacturers. It's far safer to order all pulls and knobs if one finish is being used from the same company.
Finishes on knobs and pulls may wear and change over time, depending on the material used. Oil rubbed bronze will wear and reveal a different color in the wear areas. This is a desired look for some people, but for others could be a disappointment.
Kitchens are lived in and things get dirty, including and especially knobs and pulls. Knobs or handles with intricate designs may be difficult to clean. As you shop, imagine how much effort it will take to clean up typical things such as dried batters, oils and flour from detailed knobs.
Pulls or knobs that will require two holes drilled into your doors or drawers will limit you in the future if you choose to replace your hardware. The next pulls will need to have the exact came drilling distance between holes.
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R E A D Y T O O R D E R ?
It's always wise to order a few extra knobs and pulls to set aside for replacements. Manufacturers change styles and finishes often. What you choose and order today, may not be available a few weeks down the road.
Drawers that are 24 inches and wider, usually require 2 pulls or knobs each. This provides better visual balance and ease of use.
A disaster can happen if the holes are drilled into cabinet doors and drawers before having the full order of knobs and pulls in hand. Shipments can be lost and if that happens just as a style is being discontinued, the original selections(s) may no longer be available. It's far safer not to end up with holes drilled into your cabinets that would not work with a different size of pull or knob.
We have one the areas largest selections of cabinet hardware. Our extensive collection features durable knobs and pulls of the highest quality for a variety of budgets, styles, and preferences. Our decorative hardware ranges from popular finishes like chrome, nickel, copper, antique pewter and rustic iron. Stop by our showroom to view the possibilities or call ahead to make an appointment.
It's always wise to order a few extra knobs and pulls to set aside for replacements. Manufacturers change styles and finishes often. What you choose and order today, may not be available a few weeks down the road.
Drawers that are 24 inches and wider, usually require 2 pulls or knobs each. This provides better visual balance and ease of use.
A disaster can happen if the holes are drilled into cabinet doors and drawers before having the full order of knobs and pulls in hand. Shipments can be lost and if that happens just as a style is being discontinued, the original selections(s) may no longer be available. It's far safer not to end up with holes drilled into your cabinets that would not work with a different size of pull or knob.
We have one the areas largest selections of cabinet hardware. Our extensive collection features durable knobs and pulls of the highest quality for a variety of budgets, styles, and preferences. Our decorative hardware ranges from popular finishes like chrome, nickel, copper, antique pewter and rustic iron. Stop by our showroom to view the possibilities or call ahead to make an appointment.
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