Cabinet Hardware Buying Guide

High-quality cabinet hardware is vital to your kitchen’s functionality and overall design. With the right handles, knobs, or pulls, you have the power to elevate your kitchen design without doing a full-scale renovation and achieve a put-together look that complements your overall aesthetic.

Whether your old cabinet hardware doesn't match your new kitchen design or doesn't work the way it used to - we're here to help. We put together a kitchen hardware buying guide you can use to decide which look and style is best for your upcoming project. 

Here's everything you need to consider when shopping for kitchen cabinet hardware:

The Hardware Style

When shopping for new kitchen cabinet hardware, arguably one of the most important aspects is the appearance and design. The look and feel of your cabinet hardware can completely change the aesthetic of your kitchen design. Whether you have a rustic farmhouse kitchen or an all-white modern kitchen - your kitchen's design will guide you toward the best hardware style for your project.

Some of the most popular hardware for kitchen cabinets include:

  • Modern: Simple, sleek, and matte black pulls and handles are ideal for modern and contemporary kitchens. The clean lines and simple structure complement the minimal details of a modern look. 
  • Vintage: If you have a vintage-style kitchen, you may want to look for decorative hardware or simple knobs in a satin champagne color. 
  • Transitional: This kitchen design style combines modern aesthetics with traditional favorites. Satin nickel pulls, knobs, and handles create a balanced look that complements contemporary designs.

At Cabinet Door Factory, we have three different mod series to consider:

  • Pro Bar Pull Series: Sleek and chic. This collection features smooth lines and elegant shapes, perfect for modern and contemporary home designs.
  • Pro Transitions 2.0 Series: Elevated and elegant. This series features compelling shapes, including arch, round, and bow cabinet pulls, perfect for transitional kitchens.
  • PRO Mod Series: Simple and stunning. Our Pro Mod collection features sleek, minimalist designs that complement contemporary and modern homes.  

Hardware Size

The size you choose for your kitchen cabinet hardware will largely depend on the style and the size of the cabinets. 

You want to ensure everything looks balanced and the cabinet hardware complements the style, so you don't want to go too big or too small. As a rule of thumb, drawer pulls that are 1/3 the height of the cabinet door and 1/3 the width of the drawer usually look best. However, this may vary depending on your kitchen design.

It's also important to remember that the kitchen cabinet hardware you pick for your drawer fronts will likely be smaller than the ones you choose for the cabinet doors. 

Hardware Placement

When choosing the kitchen cabinet hardware placement, you want to pick a spot that is aesthetically pleasing and functional. 

There are a variety of placements for hardware to consider. Some of the most popular options include:

  • Centered either vertically or horizontally on the kitchen cabinet door
  • Vertically centered but horizontally offset 
  • Horizontally centered but vertically offset
  • Diagonally

When placing the hardware on a drawer front, you'll want to divide the drawer into thirds and install the hardware in the left and right thirds. Following this rule will help you stay consistent. 

Hardware Cost

Kitchen cabinet hardware varies in price. When exploring your options, you may find that knobs are slightly more affordable than handles and pull. Both are great options for your kitchen and can be used for both cabinets and drawer fronts. Always think of your cabinet hardware as an investment. Even though some hardware may come at a higher price point, it will likely last longer and have a higher quality look and feel. 

Hardware Finish

There are a variety of finishes to consider. Each finish offers a different look and feel for your kitchen. For example, switching from satin nickel door knobs to matte black drawer pulls can change a space from vintage to modern. Just that slight color variation can completely change your kitchen design. 

Here are some of the most popular finishes:

  • Satin Nickle 
  • Satin Champagne 
  • Matte Black
  • Polished Chrome 

At Cabinet Door Factory, we have a variety of hinges, knobs, and pulls available in all four of these finishes. The finishes available vary depending on the style. 

Hardware Length

The length and size will vary depending on whether you pick knobs, pulls, or handles. You must take proper measurements before purchasing your hardware to ensure it complements your current cabinet doors and fits the space. 

Pulls

Pulls come in a variety of styles and lengths. The length you choose will depend on the size of the door. 

  • 3-7 inches long for doors less than 24 inches tall 
  • 7-12 inches long for doors 24-36 inches tall
  • longer than 12 inches for cabinets taller than 36 inches

Knobs

Most knobs are 1-2 inches in diameter. Since the sizes vary so slightly, the size is more of a personal preference. You may, however, need more than one knob for your cabinet drawer fronts, depending on the size. For example, you'll want to install one knob at the center if the cabinet drawers are 16 inches or less in width. 

If your drawer fronts are larger than 16 inches, it's best to install two symmetrical knobs. If the drawer fronts need two, you may want to go with a 1-inch diameter knob. 

Hardware Mix

Mixing and matching different kitchen hardware styles, metals, and finishes can be a great way to add dimension to your space. When done correctly, you can add a layer of contrast to your kitchen that complements your unique taste without being too overwhelming. Some common ways to mix and match hardware for kitchen cabinets include:

  • Knobs for the cabinet doors and pulls for the drawer fronts 
  • Mix different vintage hardware knob styles and sizes
  • Knobs and classic cup cabinet pulls 
  • Pulls and knobs 
  • Handles and knobs 
  • Different complementary finishes 

Three Ways to Use Hardware For Kitchen Cabinets 

Hardware for kitchen cabinets is the perfect finishing touch for your kitchen. Here are three examples of how to use them to your advantage. 

1. Knobs and Pulls
Knobs and Pulls cabinet hardware

Mix and matching knobs and pulls is a great idea that's both stylish and functional. With this approach, you can add pulls to the drawer fronts and knobs to the rest of the cabinets. We recommend pairing our 1 1/8" Pro Modern Square Cabinet Knob with our Pro Modern 3 3/4" (96mm) Mod Arch Cabinet Pull to achieve this desired look. 

2. Knobs and Classic Cup Cabinet Pulls

Knobs with classic cup cabinet pulls are a great way to add a vintage touch to your kitchen. Classic cup cabinet pulls are traditional in style but function in design, making them the perfect fit for drawer fronts in a rustic or vintage kitchen. If you want to achieve a similar look, we recommend our 1 1/4" Preferred Round Cabinet Knobs from our Pro Preferred Series. 

3. Fun and Bold

Hardware for kitchen cabinets can be fun if you want it to! In this kitchen, the owner uses the kitchen cabinet hardware to add a that complements the countertops. This subtle detail is fun and playful but not too overwhelming, helping to maintain the minimalist and modern kitchen design. We recommend trying a fun shape, like our 1 5/16" Preferred Rectangular Cabinet Knob from the Pro Preferred collection.

Find High-Quality Cabinet Hardware With Cabinet Door Factory

Ready to elevate your kitchen design without having to undergo a full-fledged renovation? You've come to the right place. At Cabinet Door Factory, we offer high-quality custom doors and cabinet hardware you can use to take your kitchen design to the next level. 

Explore our selection of cabinet hardware today!