5 Unusual and Inspiring Color Combinations for Kitchens and Bathrooms

If a certain color combination appeals to you, don't be afraid to run with it. Color combinations that usually aren't used in home décor can make your home unforgettable, and as unique as you are. You can also use colorful pieces of cabinet hardware to add color in the most unexpected ways.

Cabinet knobs and pulls don't have to always be in metallic finishes. There is a world of color possibilities in cabinet hardware, waiting for someone to be bold enough. Here are some interesting and unusual color combos for some colorful inspiration.

Black and Orange

A sleek black bathroom or kitchen needs bright colors and white to balance it out. Usually a lot of white is included with all black walls, counters, and cabinets. Orange adds the right kind of zest to this much black, and orange cabinet knobs and pulls are easier to see!

Pink and Gray

Shades of pink along with different shades of gray and silver look stunning together. To keep it from looking flat, use a couple different shades of the gray, and a couple different shades of pink, which are only a little lighter or darker than the other. Gunmetal gray and hot pink look edgy, while light pink and light gray are more soothing.

Aqua and Yellow

Aqua and yellow or gold contrast beautifully, especially when there is a large area of aqua, with yellow accents. Usually aqua or turquoise is used as an accent color, but it can add a feeling of happy serenity to a room if used on the walls, cabinets or in tables and chairs. Pair it aqua cabinets with yellow knobs or pulls. Together, these colors make for a cheery, yet calm atmosphere,

Purple and Green

Muted, bright or dark and jewel-toned, green and purple together make a room feel lush and lively. Purple is mystical and royal, while green is down-to-earth, A purple or green accent wall, with wood cabinets and green cabinet knobs or pulls would be great for a bathroom. 

Red and Blue

Red and blue (dark blue in particular) are bold colors that many people avoid using together in large amounts, because they can be so imposing. Red and blue work best together when one is more muted than the other. Be sure to add plenty of white, black or other neutral shades or colors to balance it out. This color combination for a bathroom, kitchen or dining room is not for the faint of heart.

Modern or Vintage - Is a "Dated" Home Hardware Look Right for You?

Do you love sleek lines and polished surfaces, or do faded paint and claw-footed bath tubs make your heart skip a beat? Maybe you like a combination of both, or you're on the fence about which direction you want to go with your home decor. Here is a guide to help you choose, or successfully combine the modern and vintage styles of home hardware.

Basics of a Modern Bathroom or Kitchen:

Modern styles are more sleek and polished, with more geometric shapes, straight or smoothly curved lines and clear-cut angles. They are much simpler, with solid colors that are often neutral. The neutral shades are often referred to as earth tones, and are not featured on the color wheel (black, white, gray, beige, tan, etc.).

   

1. Amerock  2. Siro Designs  3. Top Knobs 4. Atlas

Basics of a Vintage Bathroom or Kitchen:

Maybe you have a specific era in mind. Mid-20th Century retro, or Victorian, or just a general shabby chic/rustic vibe are just a few examples. If you want to do vintage, then you probably have a pretty specific genre in mind.

Vintage home hardware often comes in colors that are warm or cool (they can be found on the color wheel). Be sure to balance brighter colors with plenty of surrounding neutrals, to keep the colors from being too overwhelming.

   

1. Amerock 2. Hickory Hardware 3. Siro Designs 4. Richelieu

Tips for Combining the Two:

When the modern world and the vintage or rustic combine, it's usually because the existing home decor was already one or the other. If you moved into an older home and you want to give it an update without losing the old world charm, adding modern-styled home hardware or accessories would be a great idea.

When installing home hardware of the opposite side of the spectrum, try to find a matching finish that goes with existing hardware in the house, or choose a color/finish that goes well with the other colors in your bathroom or kitchen.

 

1. Brass Accents 2. Sugatsune

Since the colors of the modern style are often neutral, you shouldn't have a hard time finding vintage home hardware that goes well with the existing modern decor. Things that are harder to change, like wall treatments, carpets and indoor architecture can stay the same, while you add interest with inverse-styled light fixtures, cabinet hardware and bathroom accessories (things that are much easier to change).

Confused? Cabinet Hardware Types Explained

You have a lot of different options in cabinet hardware. Not only are there a huge selection of cabinet knobs to choose from, but many different kinds of cabinet pulls. It all depends on how you want your kitchen or bathroom to look, and the general function of the cabinets and drawers.

There are so many different kinds, that many people have questions about the differences between them. What is a cup pull, and why should I get that instead of drop bail pulls? Much of it has to do with your personal preferences. Here are some helpful descriptions and images of the different types of cabinet hardware.

Cup Pulls

 

Cup pulls lay flush with the surface of the cabinet door or drawer on the top edge, as well as the left and right edges. The rest of it is raised up so that you can "cup" your fingers under the bottom and pull. Some people find this to be a comfortable way to open cabinets and drawers, while others don't. Some are rounded, but they can be virtually in any shape.

Drop Bail Pulls

Drop bail pulls have a "bail" that hangs from the base of the pull. You would just grab the hanging bail and pull. These are a nice alternative to regular pulls and knobs, as long as you don't mind grabbing onto the bail before you can open the drawer or cabinet. They can have a nice vintage or antique vibe, and can come in many different shapes and styles.

Ring Pulls

Ring pulls always come in a complete ring shape, but can be different shapes that deviate from a circle or oval. They can hang from the base of the pull like a drop bail, or stick out straight. They also come in all different styles, so you can find one that will go great with the rest of your kitchen or bathroom.

Euro Bar Pulls

These pulls are always long and sleek and stay true to the sturdy bar shape. Euro bars often double as towel bars on the cabinets of many kitchens, and can be installed horizontal or vertical depending on your needs and taste. Sometimes it's necessary to combine euro bars with matching knobs. For example, euro bars on the cabinets and matching knobs from the same collection on shorter drawers.

Backplates

Backplates are often used as the base of the cabinet knob for added decoration. When using one, choose them from the same collection as the knobs you'll be using them with. They are very versatile and come in many different styles and finishes.

Escutcheon Plates

These are used to cover key holes and the bases of knobs, so the unattractive inner workings of a lock and door knob aren't showing. These come in many different styles and finishes, from plain and modern, to whimsical and classic. The name comes from the French word "scutum", which means "shield".

Rosettes

A "rosette" usually refers to a round, flat design that radiates from the middle, much like the petals of a rose. The rosettes we're talking about here are used as backplates, but are in a category of their own because of their shape and design. Match the rosettes with the knobs in the same collection, if you choose to use rosettes.