Decorative Cabinet Hardware

DECORATIVE CABINET HARDWARE

Adding or replacing decorative cabinet hardware is one of the easiest facelifts to your cabinets that you could possibly do.  The handle at right is from Amerock's Inspirations Collection (A01580 EB) Elegant Brass.  It is a very popular pull because it goes with many kitchen styles.  To order or see more, click here or on the picture to go to it's page at The Woodworkers Depot.

WHAT WILL IT COST, AND WHAT IF MY CABINETS ARE OLD?

If your cabinets are in pretty good shape and not too dated, changing pulls or knobs really is an easy thing to do.  You'll need to invest $100 to $300 on average to replace all the pulls and knobs in your kitchen (I'm figuring 25-30 or so pulls or knobs). 

If your cabinets look really old, brand new decorative cabinet hardware might stand out like a sore thumb.  Depending on the situation, though, you could add rustic pulls or knobs to your cabinets, and they'd still look good.

Your cabinets might also just need a good cleaning to get them sparkling again.  Go to our Cleaning Wood Kitchen Cabinets page from our Decorative Cabinet Hardware page to see how easy it is.

CHOICES, CHOICES, CHOICES.  HOW DO I CHOOSE?

Starting Fresh:

If you are starting fresh, and don't already have pull or knob holes in your doors or drawer fronts (good for you!), the choices are almost endless.  You can get 3" center pulls, or knobs, or 96mm, or 128mm, or anything you want.

Keep in mind though, that handles with 3" centers are the most common decorative cabinet hardware that there is.  If you ever want to change handles in the future, there will certainly be tons of choices.  If you go with, say 128mm handles, your future choices will be limited.

Replacing What You've Got:

If you already have pulls, knobs, or both, then you must keep that in mind when choosing hardware.  You have some alternatives, but you may be limited.

• If you have pulls, measure the distance from mid-point to mid-point of each hole.  This will give you the size pull you will need.  You will often find they are 3" centers.
• If they are 3" centers, you are in luck, because you will find most styles of decorative cabinet hardware are available with 3" centers.
• If you have a measurement other than 3", you can look for that size.  It may be difficult to find pulls that fit those holes.  If you do find something in that measurement, it might not be the style you like.

What you can do if you have odd sized holes or need to cover the holes left by previous handles:

• Add a back-plate to your door or drawer front before you put your pull or knob on.  You can simply drill new holes that work for your new handles.  In this way, no one will see the old holes because they will be covered up by the back-plate.
• Another easy alternative is to put two knobs where the pull holes were.  With this option, you are only limited in the knob's diameter.  You will want to make sure the knobs aren't so big that they will be touching each other.

STYLE, I'M INTERESTED IN STYLE!!  WHAT'S AVAILABLE IN DECORATIVE CABINET HARDWARE?

Recent years have seen a surge in sleek, new styling.  There are literally thousands of styles of pulls, knobs, and back-plates to choose from.

Anything from contemporary to rustic, colored or clear glass to solid brass.

You will also find several choices in theme based hardware.  There are several choices for children's rooms, hunting themes, fishing, bugs, butterflies, frogs, and stones to name a few.

There are even pulls out there that look like knives, forks, and spoons.  To check out what you see here and more, click on the pictures, or here to link up to The Woodworkers Depot.

Popular finishes to choose from include:

• Oil Rubbed Bronze
• Polished Brass or Chrome
• Brushed, Satin, or Sterling Nickel
• Brushed Brass
• Black Nickel
• Flat Black
• Antique English (a bronze looking type)
• Wrought Iron
• Weathered Nickel
• Rustic Bronze
• Burnished Bronze
• Copper
• Pewter
• Stainless Steel
• Champagne
• Anodized Aluminum
• Ceramic and Ceramic Crackle Finishes (be careful - ceramic looks nice, but will crack easily)

There are several other decorative cabinet hardware finishes to choose from too, including solid colors and several actual woods.

Some brand names that manufacture good and reasonably priced hardware include:

• Amerock
• Belwith-Keeler
• Epco
• Stanley
• Wood Technology

Along with several others.

GETTING A BIT MORE SPECIFIC ABOUT COST:

The cost will vary as much as how many styles are out there.

• You might find small knobs for as little as $2.00 or less a piece.
• Several pulls fall into the $3.00 to $6.00 range for each.
• If you are going for a contemporary, sleek European style, where the pulls can be as long as 12" or more, you may pay $25.00 or more for each pull
• Some glass knobs and pulls can also run you into some money, from the low teens to as high as $40.00 each.
• Pulls for appliances (if you have a wooden insert over your appliance) can be quite costly as well, over $20.00, on up.

Reminder:

Be sure to count each door and drawer front you have, twice.  You'd be upset with yourself if you ordered your pulls or knobs online or made a special trip to a hardware store, just to find you are short one pull or knob!  It's been done!!

WHERE TO GET DECORATIVE CABINET HARDWARE?

• As you've seen sprinkled throughout this page, thewoodworkersdepot.com, is one resource for decorative cabinet hardware.  There are several others online.
• Home-improvement type stores carry decorative cabinet hardware.
• You may even be lucky enough to find just what you're looking for at your local thrift store.  If you can, you'll no doubt save money.
• If you enjoy garage-sale-ing or auctions, you may find something there.  Usually, though, when you use those types of venues, you will be very limited in your choices and only find a few of what you need.

BOTTOM LINE:  GET WHAT YOU LOVE

The possibilities are endless.  Look for decorative cabinet hardware that is not only practical and will last a long time, but that you also fall in love with and enjoy!!

And remember - HAVE A HAPPY KITCHEN!!!

Return to our Hardware for Kitchen Cabinets page from Decorative Cabinet Hardware.

OTHER RELATED LINKS:

Amerock Kitchen Hardware - Top 10 reasons to purchase Amerock Kitchen Hardware.

Antique Kitchen Hardware - Cheap ways to get the look of antique, the latest antique looks, and the Top 3 ways to find antique kitchen hardware.

Brass Cabinet Hardware - Meet the finish that never goes on a date, but never gets Out-Dated ;-)

Cleaning Wood Kitchen Cabinets - It's Easy - you don't need "secret" cleansers or be a pro.  This page tells you how!!

Hardware for Kitchen Cabinets - It's what's on the inside that counts!

Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware - Very Popular. Where's it from & where's it going?

Stainless Steel Cabinet Hardware - Whether you match your appliances or are going Retro - spend the money on quality stainless, or get great similar products for a lot less.

The Woodworkers Depot  - Online Hardware Store.  Great Prices, Great Products.