How to Choose Cabinet Hardware
We’ll let you in on these cabinet hacks.
Switching up your cabinet hardware is a quick, easy, and cost-effective way to change your kitchen or bathroom's aesthetic. Read on to learn how to choose cabinet hardware for your home. Below, we'll help you decide between cabinet knobs and pulls as well as tips for picking the right style and material for your project.
Key Takeaways
- Choose Knobs or Pulls: Pulls offer easier grip for drawers and heavy doors, while knobs work well for cabinet doors.
- **Measure “Center-to-Center Distance:” Consider this key measurement (common sizes: 3", 3.75", 4", 5") when replacing existing hardware to ensure proper fit.
- Match Your Finish: Choose hardware finish that matches your home’s style. Try brass for traditional, matte black for modern, or polished nickel for versatile transitional looks.
- Size Appropriately: Use pulls about one-third the drawer width for large drawers, or install two pieces of hardware on drawers 24" or wider.
In this guide:
Types of Cabinet Hardware
Cabinet Hardware Sizes
Cabinet Hardware Styles
Frequently Asked Questions
Types of Cabinet Hardware
There are two different types of decorative cabinet hardware: knobs and pulls. Knobs are small handles mounted with a single screw. While pulls function the same way as knobs, they are often bigger, thinner, and provide more surface area – making them easier to grip. Pulls also typically require two screw holes, while cabinet knobs typically only require one. Learn more about cabinetry hardware below.
Cabinet Knob Shapes
There are 11 types of cabinet knobs and shapes: mushroom, round, bar, square, birdcage, oval, rectangle, novelty, geometric, conical, and cylindrical. Since they all function the same, choosing a cabinet knob is simply a matter of style preference.
If you’re working on a larger project, we recommend buying knobs in multipacks.
There are 11 types of cabinet pulls and shapes: bar, arch, appliance, finger, cup/bin, novelty, drop handle, ring, recessed, birdcage, and pendant.
Similar to knobs, choosing a cabinet pull is a matter of personal preference and style. Most pulls require two screws for installation. However, there are a few pull types that don't require the typical two-screw installation, such as ring and pendant pulls. Ring and pendant pulls only require one installation screw, while drop-handle pulls are often mounted to a drawer or cabinet door with a backplate.
Typically found in modern style homes, finger pulls are mounted to the top edge of a cabinet or drawer with the back hidden behind the cabinet or drawer's face. To ensure you have enough of the cabinet pull or drawer pull to grab, the projection should be deeper than the cabinet or drawer's face.
Recessed pulls are installed within a drawer or cabinet's face, or front panel. Before installing recessed pulls, ensure that the depth of the pull isn't deeper than the depth of your cabinet door or drawer. To find a recessed pull's depth, check the projection/depth measurement on the product page's "Weights & Dimensions" tab.
If you’re working on a larger project, pulls also come in multipacks for convenience.
When choosing cabinet hardware, it's important to take measurements to help you find the right fit – especially when replacing existing hardware. You'll need to measure the length, depth, and center-to-center distance of the hardware. The center-to-center distance is a key measurement that will help you determine if the new cabinet hardware is the correct size for existing holes or if you'll need to drill new holes in the cabinet.
Read our guide How to Measure Drawer Pulls & Cabinet Pulls to find detailed instructions on measuring for different types of drawer pulls and cabinet pulls, including tips on finding the center-to-center distance.
Cabinet Hardware Styles
Choosing the correct cabinet knobs and pulls for your project includes more than just function, you should also factor form into the equation. From material to finish, there are plenty of options available to match the style of your kitchen or bathroom.
Consider the Material
Along with the finish, hardware material can impact the style and feel of the space. Most cabinet pulls and knobs are made out of metal. However, Wayfair also has knobs and pulls made of glass, wood, crystal, plastic, and stone – all available in a variety of colors.
- Metal:** Metal knobs and pulls work well in any home, but are very popular in modern, mid-century modern, traditional, French country, or transitional style kitchens.
- Glass: Glass knobs and pulls elevate a space well, and you can select a base finish that matches your style or room. They are most often found in traditional, glam, or industrial style kitchens.
- Wood: These knobs and pulls look great in rustic or coastal style homes, and pair well with unfinished wood vanities, cabinets, and drawers.
- Crystal: Perfect for glam or traditional style homes, crystal knobs and pulls add a unique flair to glam or traditional kitchens.
Choosing a hardware finish is a matter of preference, but as a general guideline, we recommend having it complement the rest of your home's style. Take note of the room's lighting, appliances, and furniture color.
You can match the finishes to these other fixtures for clean-lined cohesion, or you can choose a complementary finish for a stylishly mismatched look. For example, you can pair brass pulls on your cabinets with stainless steel appliances (like in the photo above).
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the types of cabinet hardware?Knobs, pulls, and handles are the three main types of cabinet hardware.
How do you measure pulls?
You measure the center-to-center distance to determine screw spacing.
What size pulls for kitchen cabinets?
Most pulls measure 3" – 5" wide for a comfortable grip.
Should all cabinet hardware match?
Matching all of your cabinet hardware creates a cohesive look, but this comes down to personal style preference
Tip!
Read our guide How to Install Cabinet Hardware for step-by-step directions on hardware placement and mounting your new cabinet knobs or pulls.
