Decide Which Finish is Best for Your Home Hardware

There are so many types of finishes for home hardware, it can be hard to decide which one is right for your home. You might even have decided on the perfect theme and the perfect colors, but with so many beautiful and versatile pieces of cabinet knobs, bathroomhooks and other essential pieces, it can start to get confusing!

First, you should consider the basic color scheme of the kitchen or bathroom where you plan on installing your new home hardware. Does it involve mostly cool colors or warm colors? Cool colors are blues, greens, purples and pinks, or shades that contain these hues.

If your bathroom features cool colors, one special kind of finish that would work well here, is verdigris. Verdigris gives the look of oxidized copper, which if you look at an old penny that has been oxidized, has a bluish green color. It also has a rustic and old fashioned feel. It would go great in a bathroom that has an aquatic theme.

Next, think about the basic décor aesthetic of your kitchen or bathroom. Is it more polished and modern, or does it have a very country, shabby-chic or rustic feel? Your finish should definitely match the aesthetic.

Chrome home hardware would be perfect for modern, ultra modern, or even a fancy or “romantic” theme, depending on the style of the cabinet hardware and hooks, right down to the toilet paper holder and even the soap dish. On the opposite side of the coin, antique iron, antique bronze or antique copper would go well in a rustic style atmosphere.

Then, there are the more versatile finishes available. Oil rubbed bronze home hardware is very popular, and it comes in many different shades of the same basic neutral, ruddy brownish gold. It's neutral, because it would go well with both cool and warm color schemes. Nickel is also very versatile, comes in variations like polished, satin and even black nickel, and is also considered largely neutral.

Now that you've answered these questions, you can narrow down your search for the right home hardware finish. Next, you can focus on the shape to go along with the overall style and feel of the room or rooms.

BRASS VS. ZINC Cabinet Knobs and Cabinet Pulls

BRASS VS. ZINC Cabinet Knobs and Cabinet Pulls – What’s the difference and which is right for me?

Two common metals you’ll find when shopping for decorative hardware are zinc and brass. You might not notice a difference by just looking at it, but if you pick it up, you’ll find the brass is heavier, more solid and more expensive than the cabinet hardware made from the zinc alloy. You will find too that brass cabinet knobs and cabinet pulls, which is approximately 67% copper and 33% zinc is 20%-80% more expensive than a comparable piece of zinc die cast hardware, due in part to the price of copper. But does that make it better for you? Not necessarily.

The vast majority of cabinet knobs and cabinet pulls on the market today are manufactured from die-cast zinc, but there are great selections of cabinet hardware manufactured from solid brass. We automatically think that something that feels full and substantial in our hands is going to be heavy and therefore better quality. But when you put it on your kitchen cabinet, you can’t feel the weight and if the finish is good enough you probably won’t be able to tell the difference.  Browse a variety of cabinet knobs and pulls in a variety of finishes and base metals to choose from.

Brass is very high quality, durable and great for strength in decorative hardware pieces that are perhaps not as complex. Zinc alloy is used to make more intricate shapes because it is easy to cast into complicated designs at a relatively low cost, making it ideal for items such as this cabinet hardware piece.

You also get consistent quality. Being able to recycle zinc alloys makes it environmentally friendly. From a wear perspective, both zinc and brass have great track records, but unless your solid brass has a durable finish on it, it will tarnish sooner than other cabinet knobs and cabinet pulls that only look like brass, or are brass plated.

So whether your cabinet pull is made of zinc or brass, either way you know you are getting a quality cabinet knobs and cabinet pulls. Many manufacturers offer similar designs of cabinet knobs and cabinet pulls, so find one you like and see what your budget will afford. If you need help in your search to find a particular style or price range give our customer service center a call.

Cabinet Hardware Themes

Cabinet Hardware Themes:  What style cabinet knobs and cabinet pulls Define you?

Whether you are upgrading your current suburban home with cabinet knobs or styling out your new urban condo with cabinet pulls, you will face the question: What cabinet hardware theme defines you?  Don’t worry, I understand the excitement and challenges that go along with answering the question.   There are thousands of different cabinet hardware knobs and cabinet pulls available on the market today and filtering through them all can be a headache.  Isn’t shopping online supposed to be easy?   Below is a list of a few popular themes I see on the market today.

Traditional    There is nothing boring or cliché about traditional cabinet knobs and cabinet pulls.  In fact, some of my favorite cabinet pieces are of the traditional variety.  Traditional cabinet hardware pieces provide a clean, warm feel to your home.  Black, Brass and white are a few of the most popular traditional finishes.  I recommend browsing traditional cabinet knobs and cabinet pulls made by Classic Brass, Top Knobs, Rusticware, Richelieu and Berenson Decorative Hardware.

Contemporary  If you’re the fashion forward type with a sense of style or just looking to refresh your kitchen with a fresh look contemporary cabinet hardware has your name on it.  I  even admit there is something sexy about being associated with the words ‘contemporary’ and ‘modern’.   Smooth curves, sharp edges and bold finishes are a few defining features of cabinet knobs and cabinet pulls.  I recommend satin nickel as an initial contemporary finish to check out.  Popular contemporary knobs and pulls brands on  include Alno Inc, Atlas Homewares, Wer Designs, Forms + Surfaces and Valli Valli.

Value     When shopping for cabinet knobs and cabinet pulls on a budget rest assured you do not have to sacrifice style and quality.  Smart shopping and saving money is a big deal for most people.  Value cabinet hardware has been a focus for many manufacturers in the 21^st Century and guess what:  magically quality and price found a happy meeting place.  In fact, there are more value cabinet knobs and cabinet pulls offered on the market than anything else.  Simple in design, easy on the eye and quality that lasts is value cabinet hardware at its best.   Value brands include Liberty Hardware, Elements by Hardware Resources, Amerock and Hickory Hardware.

Artistic   An Artistic Cabinet Hardware Revolution?   Well, you likely will not be comparing your cabinet hardware selection to the Sistine Chapel but kitchen cabinet hardware creativity and artistry does continue to evolve and impress.  Just ask your contractor or interior designer:  Artistic cabinet knobs and cabinet pulls on the market today are plentiful.  You do not have to settle for a ‘round’ knob.  There are the ever popular artistic designs such as the Birdcage Pull, T-Knob, Wave Pull and curvy knob still on the market today.  There are also new crystal designs, animal knobs and pulls and floral themes to choose from.  The cabinet hardware artistic cupboard is as full as ever.  Artistic Brands we recommend include Notting Hill Decorative Hardware, Anne At Home, Sierra Lifestlyes, Sietto and Gayle Bright.