Designer Tips for Choosing Your Cabinet Hardware

After all the hard work of designing a kitchen, it’s time to choose hardware. For some homeowners, this is an easy decision. But for others, it can cause stress. Once you and your designer have created the perfect color palette, it’s time to put the icing on the cake..

Today’s cabinet hardware market has more finishes than ever before. With matte black, brushed gold, champagne bronze, nickel, chrome and much more, choices can seem overwhelming. That’s why we have created a cabinet hardware guide with some advice from one of our CliqStudios designers!

Explore some of our most popular door styles and finishes below with complementary hardware pairings.

For modern kitchen designs, consider RTA's Shaker door in Smoke Grey paired with the Richelieu Transitional Metal Pull in brushed nickel. Together, these pieces create an upscale modern space with cool tones for a sleek appearance. Square line details at the base of the hardware add a refined look for the perfect amount of detail.

One of our newer and extremely popular door styles in the Craftsman line is Balto. Elegant lines and a minimal shaker appearance make this door the perfect choice for any contemporary kitchen. Shown in Irish Creme, this door trendy style creates a sophisticated look with Richelieu's Transitional Metal Knob in brushed nickel. A door style like this needs hardware that's perfectly balanced in minimalism and style, and that's exactly what this gorgeous metal knob does.

Modern organic meets furniture-style cabinets with Craftsman's Fitzgerald door in quartersawn oak Lynx. Get the white oak look on red oak with our unique finishing process for a gorgeous natural appearance. Pairing this stunning door style with Richelieu's Transitional Metal Pull in matte black was an obvious choice. The black cabinet pull offers the perfect amount of detail and curved lines to these already decorative cabinets for an impressive look.

CliqStudios designer, Nicole Stanley weighed in on some of her favorite combinations. "Our raised-panel Mason door is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a more traditional look. The French Roast and Eagle Rock have been favorable stain finishes for this door style. The Richelieu Traditional Metal Pull in Matte Black or Transitional Metal Pull in Matte Black are two hardware pulls that would pair very nicely with this decorative door. Throw in some round knobs with the Traditional Metal Knob in Matte Black and you're all set!"

Just like Nicole mentioned earlier, Mason is an excellent choice for traditional designs. French Roast is a slightly darker chocolate brown stain than Eagle Rock and looks beautiful with the smooth lines of Richelieu's Traditional Metal Pull in matte black. If you love the traditional look but want to prevent the details from becoming overwhelming, use simpler knobs and pulls like the one pictured above.

Nicole added, "A slab door style is a great option for anyone seeking a modern look. I have a few go-to hardware selections to keep in line with the minimalism this style portrays. For the Jensen Black in our Signature Plus line, I recommend using the Richelieu Modern Metal Edge Pull in Matte Nickel. For a hint of boldness, check out the Richelieu Modern Metal Pull in Royal Gold. The Modern Metal Pull in Matte Black is another great option if you're opting for Lily (white) or Natural Maple cabinet finishes. Put your own Modern twist on our Jensen door!"

Every cabinet color has a wide spectrum of complementary hardware finishes. Whether it's wood stains, paints or a combination there are plenty of stunning hardware options to choose from. For extra guidance on how to select your hardware outside of the pairings above, explore the list below.

• Dark wood with gray undertones: chrome, polished nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, brass and brushed gold tones
• Gray wood or paint: gold, chrome, black, brushed nickel and combination hardware in these colors
• Warm wood tones or paint colors: black or matte black, brushed nickel, antique bronze, aged brass, oil-rubbed bronze or rustic nickel finishes 

Ready to explore your color options? Shop kitchen cabinets and hardware now!