When remodeling your kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, home office, or another space in your home, you may not think much about your cabinet hardware. However, these small details – knobs, pulls, and hinges — play a crucial role in both the function and style of your space. Here’s why cabinet hardware matters more than you might think.

It Affects Everyday Functionality

Cabinet hardware is more than just decoration; it directly affects how easily and comfortably you can access your cabinets and drawers. High-quality knobs and pulls help you grip doors and drawers and open and close them, especially in high-use areas, such as the kitchen. 

Soft-close hinges and mechanics ensure doors and drawers shut quietly, smoothly, and easily, preventing slamming, reducing wear and tear over time, and prolonging the lifespan of your cabinets. 

It Completes the Look

Hardware is often referred to as the jewelry of your cabinets. It can transform a space and add a sophisticated, modern touch or a vintage, rustic charm. Whether your cabinets are traditional, contemporary, or farmhouse-style, the right hardware ties everything together and reinforces your design vision — or distracts from it if not well considered.

It Offers an Easy Update

If you don’t want to fully renovate your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room, you can simply change out the hardware as a fast and affordable way to refresh a room. Swap old or outdated hardware for new, stylish fixtures to breathe new life into a space with minimal effort and little cost. 

It Reflects Your Personality

Hardware gives you a chance to showcase your personality and add a distinct character to your space. Whether you prefer bold and artistic designs or understated elegance, hardware allows you to express your style in a functional way.

It Influences Durability and Maintenance

Not all cabinet hardware is created equal. Cheap materials or poorly made hardware can tarnish, break, or wear unevenly over time. Choose durable, high-quality materials, such as solid brass, stainless steel, or zinc alloy, to ensure your investment lasts and remains easy to clean and maintain. 

Types of Hinges

In order to choose the right cabinet hardware, you should understand the main types of hinges and how they work:

Concealed Hinges — Concealed hinges, also known as European hinges, lack a face frame and are mounted directly to the inside of the cabinet door and the cabinet’s side panel. They aren’t visible when the cabinet doors are closed, providing a modern, seamless, and clean look.

Semi-Concealed Hinges — These versatile hinges are mounted on the frame, allowing a portion of the hinge mechanism to be visible and concealing the rest. They are higher durable and can include ornamental elements, adding an elegant touch to your cabinetry. 

Surface-Mounted Hinges — These hinges sit on the surface of the cabinet door and frame without the need to drill recesses or mortises. They display the entire hinge on the outside of the cabinet, giving you the chance to show off your style with an attractive color or design. 

Wrap Hinges — These hinges allow the cabinet doors to wrap around the frame and remain completely hidden when the cabinet door is shut, offering a clean, unobtrusive look and making them perfect for entertainment centers and similar applications. 

Butt Hinges — Butt hinges, also reffered to as “traditional” hinges, feature two plates joined by a central barrel. A butt hinge attaches to the inner edge of the door and leaves only the knuckle exposed when the door is closed. Durable and reliable, they can withstand frequent use and heavy doors. 

Youngdale Hinges — These trusted, reliable, smooth hinges are fully concealed from the frontal view when the door is closed. They are easier to install than European hinges and come in multiple finishes: brass, nickel, stainless steel, bronze, and white. 

Tips for Choosing the Right Hardware

When choosing cabinet hardware, consider the placement of the knobs and pulls and which will work and look the best. Pulls should be one-third the width of the drawer face and five to seven inches wide on cabinet doors.

You should also consider your budget, the finish of the hardware, and the quality. You want cabinet hardware you can afford, that looks good in your home, will withstand everyday use, and will last a long time.  

Hardware Completes Your Renovation Project

In home design, the details often make the biggest impact. Cabinet hardware might seem unimportant, but it plays an important role in both the look and functionality of your space. So next time you’re remodeling or refreshing a space, don’t overlook the hardware. It provides more than a finishing touch; it’s a key design decision.