Kitchen Cabinet Hardware Details

Updated on: September 02, 2021

Cabinet hardware is the final touch when designing your kitchen or bath cabinetry. It finishes off the entire look, as well as helps convey the "style" you are wanting to achieve. Sometimes all it takes is a change in hardware to completely transform the look of a space.

Knobs, Pulls, and More

There are many different types of hardware available in a variety of finishes. There are your standard knobs and pulls, as well as cup pulls, which are popular paired with Shaker cabinets, and sleek "European" style cabinet bar pulls, which help bring a dose of modern to a space. Knobs and pulls can have a textured design to them or be smooth and bright. For finishes, brushed nickel tends to be the most popular because it makes a kitchen or bath seem more modern and also matches well with stainless steel appliances.

Knobs are traditionally used for doors and cabinet pulls are for drawers, but rules can be thrown out the window in the name of comfort and ease. The hardware has to work for the people using the space. Some pulls can be too small to fit big hands, while knobs can be hard for someone with arthritis to grab and pull.

Door Hinges and Drawer Glides

The hinges for the doors are a very important part of the design since they are used for the opening and closing of the doors. Hinges are almost always concealed, which provides a cleaner look to the cabinets. Soft close hinges are available now, which slows the cabinet door so it doesn't slam. Soft close hinges cut down on noise of banging cabinets and also help minimize wear and tear on the cabinets.

The glides you choose for your drawers are another important choice. The least expensive choice is an all plastic glide, which isn't the best structurally as it can't support heavier loads. An all metal glide can handle more weight and is more durable. Some glides only allow the drawer to pull out partially, leaving part of the drawer in the cabinet box while others allow the drawer to be pulled completely out (full extension), which exposes all the drawer contents. Drawer glides are also available with the soft-close function.

Tips For Installing the Hardware

While you can place hardware wherever it makes the most sense for you and your needs, there are a few guidelines that help with the placement. On cabinet doors, it is best to use the cabinet rails and stiles as your guide. If you are using a knob, line it up with the top of the bottom door rail and center it on the stile. If using a pull, line up the bottom of the pull with the top of the bottom door rail and center it on the stile as well. If you have a bank of drawers and the bottom one is larger than the others, place it up higher on the drawer front rather than right in the center like the others. It makes it easier to use without needing to bend all the way down to the ground to reach your cabinet knob.

If you want to place the hardware before drilling, you could temporarily attach the hardware to the cabinets and drawers with adhesive putty. This may help you get an idea of what it would look like, as well as give you an idea of where to drill your holes. There are also template tools that can help you plan where you need to put the holes for the hardware. If you are replacing existing hardware and the new hardware leaves the old holes exposed, get a coordinating back plate to cover up the previous drill marks.

Cabinets.com offers many options for kitchen cabinet hardware including decorative knobs, pulls, and hooks that will help give your kitchen a finish look. We also offer free shipping over $49. Check out all our cabinet hardware here. If you need help with your kitchen design, talk to our design experts today!