Get That Rustic Farmhouse Look With Oil Rubbed Bronze Hardware

If you love the cozy, vintage style of farmhouse decor, one of the easiest ways to transform your home is with hardware. Cabinet knobs, pulls, hinges, and backplates come in finishes like oil rubbed bronze that capture the rustic farmhouse aesthetic wonderfully.

Farmhouse style brings the warmth and charm of old rural farmhouses into modern homes. With distressed woods, burlap textures, and antique-inspired accessories, it’s a relaxed look reminiscent of the past. The dark, aged patina of oil rubbed bronze adds to the vintage vibe and pairs beautifully with common farmhouse elements like white cabinets, butcher block counters, and reclaimed wood backsplashes.

What Makes Farmhouse Style So Appealing?

For many homeowners, the draw of farmhouse decor is its welcoming, family-friendly feel. Soft whites, warm wood tones, and cozy textiles like blankets and pillows make it very livable. Farmhouse style is casual yet refined, with a mix of high and low elements that give it an approachable charm. People also love how it brings a sense of history into a space with its emphasis on antique, artisanal, and vintage-inspired accessories.

Key Aspects of Farmhouse Style

Several core design features define the farmhouse look:

• Distressed finishes like chipping paint and worn edges
• Vintage accessories like galvanized metal buckets and woven baskets
• Natural materials like wood, stone, and leather
• An aged, muted color palette of whites, blacks, grays, and muted pastels
• Rustic but cozy textures like burlap, unfinished wood, and wrought iron

By incorporating finishes and materials like these throughout your home, you can give any space a cozier farmhouse vibe.

The Warm, Welcoming Farmhouse Kitchen

The kitchen is often the heart of a home, and it’s a great place to showcase farmhouse style. Characteristics like white Shaker-style cabinets, butcher block countertops, and apron front sinks create a space that just feels welcoming. Add in open shelving for dishes, vintage-look lighting over an island, and a reclaimed wood backsplash, and you’ve got a farmhouse kitchen anyone would love to cook in.

Use Farmhouse Hardware for an Easy Update

One of the simplest ways to start transitioning your kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms or any space into farmhouse style is by switching out the hardware. Cabinet knobs, pulls, hinges, and backplates come in so many finishes that complement the farmhouse look beautifully.

Dark and Distressed Hardware Finishes

For a touch of vintage, rustic charm, try hardware in finishes like:

• Oil Rubbed Bronze - With its dark, aged patina, oil rubbed bronze has an antique vibe perfect for farmhouse decor. The brownish-black finish offers a nice contrast against white cabinets.
• Black - Matte black hardware looks sophisticated, and a rubbed black finish adds some pleasing imperfection. Black offers classic farmhouse appeal.
• Wrought Iron - With decorative scrollwork and an aged dark gray finish, iron hardware is reminiscent of antique farm tools and machinery.

Installing dark bronze, iron or black hardware immediately gives your space a more lived-in, rustic feel. Opt for knobs and pulls with wraparound bases or backplates to add striking visual weight.

Get Creative With Mixing Finishes

Don’t be afraid to get creative and mix up the finishes too. Using different aged patinas and metals can make things more eclectic and authentic.

For example, pair oil rubbed bronze knobs on lower cabinets with vintage brass or rubbed black iron pulls on uppers. Or mix modern matte black hinges with antique bronze knobs. The contract will give everything a collected over time look.

Shopping for Farmhouse Hardware

Fortunately, it’s easy to find beautiful farmhouse knobs, pulls, and handles. Big box hardware stores like Target and Lowe’s offer lots of affordable options in finishes like bronze, black, and iron that work well. Stores like Home Depot and Wayfair have expansive online catalogs too.

For higher end, unique hardware, check specialty retailers like Rocky Mountain Hardware, Rejuvenation, Emtek, and Signature Hardware. The quality and designs are superb. Customization is also available to get the perfect fit and finish for your project.

Etsy is another excellent source for farmhouse hardware. Skilled artisans offer original, handmade knobs, pulls, and handles with beautiful patinas anddetailwork. You can often get custom sizes as well.

What to Look for When Buying

Keep these tips in mind when shopping for hardware to ensure you get durable, quality pieces:

• Solid brass construction will hold up better than hollow or plated metals.
• Smooth opening and closing actions feel best.
• Added weight with backplates prevents sagging over time.
• Reputable brands offer better quality control.
• Be sure to get the right finish, size, and design to complement your decor.

Make sure to set a budget beforehand as well. While you can find individual knobs or pulls for $2 to $10 at many big box stores, better crafted vintage-look pieces often range from $20 to $50 each. For high end custom hardware, costs can easily be $75 to $100 or more per piece.

Installing Hardware for the Farmhouse Look

Installing new hardware is one of the easiest DIY projects. Here are some tips:

• Use existing holes whenever possible for a quick swap.
• Drill pilot holes in new cabinets or furniture to avoid splitting the wood.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions closely.
• For a tight hold, use threadlocker like Loctite on the screws.
• Don’t over tighten. Just tighten until the screw heads are flush.

If you need new holes drilled, invest in a template specific to your hardware. It will ensure precise spacing and sizing. Take your time, measure carefully, and use a drill guide for straight holes.

Oil rubbed bronze and other living finishes require some periodic maintenance to keep them looking their best. Every month or so, wipe down your bronze hardware using a soft cloth, mild dish soap, and warm water. Immediately dry and buff with a clean cloth.

To maintain the aged patina, apply paste wax or special bronze maintenance oil every 6 months. Avoid harsh cleaners or those with chlorine, which can damage the bronze coating.

Re-oiling bronze every year or two will also help nourish the finish and prevent spotting or corrosion. Check with the manufacturer for their specific product recommendations.

With the right farmhouse style knobs, pulls, and handles, it’s easy to give your home a cozy vintage vibe. The rich, handsome patina of oil rubbed bronze adds beautiful contrast and vintage appeal. So upgrade your cabinet hardware and bring some farmhouse charm into your space.