Do You Mix Hardware Lengths in Kitchen

Calculation or replacing your cabinet hardware is i of the all-time (and most affordable) kitchen updates you tin can make.

Some kitchens take all knobs. Some have all pulls. But sticking to only ane blazon isn't the most functional. I think it's improve to mix and match for utility and design.

The most functional cabinet hardware mix is knobs on doors and pulls (or handles) on drawers.

The Basics of Mixing Cabinet Hardware

The easiest style to become started is to mix and match knobs with pulls. See below for where to employ each.

Find a knob or pull you love, so friction match information technology with the coordinating knob or pull. Just be aware that sometimes what makes a gorgeous knob doesn't translate well to a pull pattern or vice versa.

If the way you like doesn't have analogous hardware or y'all don't similar the matching options, the side by side all-time thing is to match the finish. You lot tin coordinate knobs and pulls from different collections past choosing the same finish. But make sure the finish matches perfectly. Even slight variations volition be noticeable.

When trying to match finishes information technology'due south easiest to buy from the same brand or retailer because the fashion they characterization their finishes will be consistent. If you lot're buying from different brands or retailers, then you need to guild samples and compare finishes to discover two that friction match.

When planning our kitchen, I ordered samples (a single knob) from a few different brands. None of them matched each other, even though they were all polished nickel. In the end, I decided to order all my hardware from CB2 and then the finishes would match.

The other option is to use contrasting finishes. For this type of mix to work, you need to apply opposites.

• Apply a warm metal (gold, brass, copper) with a cool metal (chrome, nickel, pewter).
• Never utilize ii warm metals or two cool metals together because it will look mismatched.
• A trendy mix right at present is matte black with brass or gold.

Studio McGee has some not bad tips on mixing metal finishes on hardware and other fixtures, like lights and faucets.

Deciding Where to Put Knobs vs Pulls

Allow'southward talk well-nigh the budget first. Knobs are usually less expensive than pulls, especially longer designer pulls. If you're on a tight budget, plan to employ mostly knobs.

Splurge on pulls only where they are more functional than knobs. For example, a long drawer pull on the extra-broad drawers in my kitchen works improve than ii knobs or two smaller handles.

In my kitchen, I needed 49 hardware pieces. I was afraid information technology was going to toll a fortune. There are 18 drawers in our kitchen. I couldn't stomach buying xviii drawer pulls.

I beloved how Melissa from The Inspired Room fabricated upwardly hardware rules for her kitchen. The rules helped her decide where to use each type of hardware and created a consequent look that makes sense.

So, I made up hardware rules for my kitchen to simplify the hardware determination process and to save money.

I'k sharing my rules here every bit an case. You should also check out Melissa'south hardware tips. Then, create some rules that brand sense for your kitchen.

Rule #1: All cabinet doors get knobs

Large money saver, and easier to install.

I used the same Sprocket knobs on all cabinet doors.

Rule #two: Knobs only on sidewalls

This dominion alone saved my budget. For all the doors and drawers on the fridge wall and oven wall, I used knobs. My reasoning is that those spaces aren't part of the kitchen work triangle. They're part of the walkways to the kitchen, and then knobs feel less obtrusive. Plus, this rule cut the number of drawer pulls I needed down to seven.

I used knobs on all the drawers outside of the main work triangle. The knobs were a quarter of the price of the pulls.

Rule #three: Knobs on the island, except the trash pullout

Unless you're backside the isle, you don't actually run across the hardware. I couldn't justify splurging on pretty drawer pulls to hide behind the island. The exception is the trash pullout. A drawer pull is more functional for the most used "drawer" in our kitchen.

I used knobs on the isle to save money, except on the trash pullout where a handle is more functional.

Rule #4: Splurge on long pulls for the actress-wide drawers on the principal wall

All the drawers around the range are 30″ or 36″ wide. For functional reasons, they need to have long pulls. Merely pretty pulls too make sense here for aesthetic reasons considering it's the chief view of the kitchen. You see the long pulls here and don't even notice the side drawers all have knobs.

I used 10″ long hex polished nickel pulls on these drawers, which are xxx-36″ wide.

Our Chiffonier Hardware Selections and Total Toll

By post-obit the rules above, I was able to outfit our kitchen with polished nickel cabinet hardware for $318. And I'k certain I needed more hardware than the average kitchen.

I used seven hex polished nickel handles at $16.95 each and 42 sprocket knobs in polished nickel at $4.17 each. I purchased during a xxx% off sale with gratis shipping.

If you're looking for modern nickel hardware, check out my chiffonier hardware roundup for cute, affordable options.

I'm off to install sprocket knobs in our principal bathroom. I originally chose them for the bathroom and loved them so much, I decided to use them in the kitchen too.

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