Selecting new kitchen cabinet hardware is a lot of work, but it can also be a lot of fun. New kitchen cabinet hardware can completely change the look of a kitchen. Getting new hardware is the perfect way to feel like you are getting a new kitchen while not spending the amount of money it would take to completely redo your kitchen. Of course there are a number of things that should be taken into consideration whenever you start shopping for new kitchen cabinet hardware.
Quality
Everyone wants to find the highest quality items for the lowest prices, and this can seem to be a bit difficult when searching for cabinet hardware. It is important to realize that most retailers will mark up hardware two or three times what you can buy it for online. In most cases you can go directly to the manufacturer online and purchase the exact same kitchen cabinet hardware for a fraction of the price you would pay in a retail store. Just remember to start out by purchasing only one piece of each kind of hardware you intend to purchase. This will allow you to feel the hardware and test its weight to see if it is high quality. To find out if a piece of kitchen cabinet hardware is high quality, feel the weight of the piece in your hand. Higher quality hardware will weigh a lot more than lower quality hardware. Once you have confirmed that the pieces are of high quality, then it is time to order enough pieces to fill your need.
Style and Color
Of course it is very important to think about the overall look of the kitchen when purchasing cabinet hardware. There are so many different styles of hardware available that anyone can find one that will fit perfectly into their kitchen. Some pieces of hardware have very ornate designs, while others are very simple. Just think about your kitchen and the color of the cabinets. Also take into consideration the design of the cabinets and try to find pieces of hardware that match.
Color is also an important part of style. Choosing the right color for your hardware is important because certain colors of metal look better with certain colors of wood. Start by considering the color of the metal you need, and then you can start thinking about what kind of metal to choose. Some common metals for kitchen cabinet hardware include nickel, pewter, copper, and bronze.
Types of Hardware
Another important consideration to make involves the various types of hardware. You can choose from either knobs or cabinet pulls. Knobs are usually much more simplistic in nature, although the more ornate ones can even be two-toned. Cabinet pulls look more like handles, and they can sometimes be extremely ornate. On the other hand, they can also be fairly simple. Deciding whether you want knobs or pulls really just depends on how much metal you want to display on your cabinets. Also keep in mind how easy the hardware pieces are to use. Choosing hardware that is easily missed or hard to grab will only make it more difficult to open your kitchen cabinets. If anyone in your family has arthritis, then try out the hardware to see if it is difficult for them to use.
Another option that some people even choose is the option of no kitchen cabinet hardware. This is certainly the most simplistic way to go, and it is a valid choice that some people decide to make after considering all options. Some cabinets do not necessarily need hardware, so choosing to go without is a stylistic choice that is perfect for some decors.