Refresh Your Space with On-Trend Handles for Kitchen Cabinets
Is your kitchen looking a little lackluster? Dated cabinets and hardware can make your kitchen appear drab and tired. The great news is that installing new, on-trend handles provides an easy and affordable way to revive your space. With so many stylish options for knobs and pulls available, you can give your kitchen an instant facelift.
You'll get tips on choosing hardware that complements your existing decor. We'll also cover handle installation basics and costs. Read on to learn how refreshing your cabinet hardware can completely transform the look and feel of your kitchen.
Popular Styles of Modern Cabinet Handles
When searching for new handles, you'll find there are lots of chic, contemporary styles to choose from. Here are some of the most popular modern options:
Sleek Metallic Finishes
For a polished, industrial look, metallic finishes like stainless steel, chrome, nickel and bronze are very on-trend. Matte black hardware makes a particularly dramatic style statement. The rich, dark finish looks sharp against both light and dark cabinet colors. Warm brushed brass, matte bronze and oil-rubbed bronze have an elegant vintage vibe. Mixing metal finishes creates depth and visual interest.
Bar pulls in stainless steel or black metal exude industrial edge. Angular handles with clean lines embody a minimalist modern aesthetic. Pair matte black with crisp white cabinets for stunning contrast. Brass knobs or rustic bronze pulls bring out the beauty of natural wood cabinetry.
Minimalist Geometric Shapes
Clean-lined rectangular pulls and round knobs in matte finishes fit seamlessly into contemporary kitchens. Crisp black, white or metallic geometric hardware against a neutral kitchen backdrop creates a sleek, uncluttered look. Stick with bar pulls, handlebars and unadorned linear shapes to complement the minimalist style.
Matte black is an on-trend neutral that pairs beautifully with many kitchen designs. It makes a bold statement on white or light gray cabinets. Brass knobs or bronze pulls with rounded corners soften the look of dark wood cabinetry for an elegant modern feel.
Nature-Inspired Novelty Handles
Organic materials like wood, crystal, marble, agate and coral lend natural texture. Creative handcrafted handles in whimsical shapes like leaves, fruit and animals inject playful personality. Use novel knobs and pulls to add an artistic flair. Mixing natural with industrial materials like iron creates an appealing juxtaposition.
Novelty hardware introduces warmth and creativity to modern spaces. Crystal or agate knobs illuminate a kitchen with rainbow sparkle. Branch-shaped pulls bring an organic touch to flat cabinet fronts. Handpainted ceramic knobs showcase artisanal charm.
Materials and Finishes for On-Trend Handles
Along with the style, the material and finish chosen for hardware make a statement. Here are some top options:
- Metals like stainless steel, matte black, brushed brass and chrome are having a major moment. Their sleek durability suits contemporary kitchens.
- Glass and crystal knobs supply vintage glamour. Faceted cuts refract and bounce light beautifully.
- Ceramic comes in vibrantly colored glazes as well as crisp, clean white. Great for making a bright splash.
- Wood of all types adds natural warmth and texture. Unfinished, stained, painted, distressed - the options are endless.
- Creative materials like coral, agate, marble, calcite lend one-of-a-kind character.
Choosing Hardware to Match Your Style
When selecting new handles, it's key to choose options that complement your existing kitchen decor. Follow these tips to find cohesive, stylish hardware:
Take Inventory of Your Kitchen's Existing Features
Look holistically at the current state of your kitchen. What material are the cabinets - wood, laminate, thermoplastic? What is the cabinet finish - glossy, stained, painted? Granite, marble, butcher block or other countertops? Tile, stone or solid backsplash? What overall decor style dominates - modern, farmhouse, traditional?
Make note of all these details so you can find handles that enhance the current features rather than clashing. Pay particular attention to cabinet color and style.
Complement Your Current Design Elements
Choose finishes and shapes for hardware that coordinate well with your existing kitchen elements. For wood cabinets, opt for warm metals like brass and bronze or distressed, natural handles. Pair cool stainless steel with crisp white cabinetry. Echo the square edge of a subway tile backsplash with square bar pulls.
If your kitchen is already filled with brushed nickel accents, stick with that or other cool metallics. Blend old and new by matching vintage crystal knobs to traditional glazed ceramic tiles. The hardware you select should aim to mirror, balance and build upon what's already there.
Decide on Consistent or Intentional Contrast
Some homeowners strive for a cohesive look with matching hardware throughout the kitchen. While very sleek, an all-matching kitchen can also come off as sterile or boring. Many designers recommend picking 2-3 complementary finishes and thoughtfully mixing them throughout for extra personality.
The choice comes down to your own style. Keeping everything uniform has an elegant, upscale feel. Mixing metals and shapes thoughtfully adds depth. Just be sure varying handles combine in a meaningful, purposeful way. Aim for eclectic rather than haphazard.
Ready for an instant kitchen refresh? Here are some quick facts on handle installation:
- Skill level: Beginners can DIY with basic tools. If not handy, hire a contractor.
- Time: Approximately 1 hour to replace 10 handles.
- Tools: drill, screwdriver, tape measure.
- Cost: Hardware $2-$50 per handle; labor around $200 for 10 handles
- Filling holes: Use wood filler before repainting cabinets.
With the right on-trend handles, refacing tired cabinets can be a simple, affordable refresh. Focus on pieces with durability, visual interest and that complement your existing decor. Just switching out hardware can instantly elevate your kitchen from drab to fab.