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.