How to Choose Cabinet Hardware Finishes
Hardware finish is one of the most visible choices in your kitchen refresh. The right finish ties everything together. The wrong one looks out of place for years.
Quick Summary
Decision time
15-30 minutes
Trending 2025
Matte black, brass
Safe choice
Brushed nickel
Finish Matcher Tool
Select your cabinet color to see which hardware finishes work best.
How to Coordinate Finishes
Option 1: Match Your Faucet (Easiest)
Same finish on hardware and faucet creates a cohesive look. If your faucet is brushed nickel, get brushed nickel hardware. Can't go wrong.
Option 2: Intentional Mixing (Designer Look)
Mixing finishes is trendy when done with purpose. Rules for success:
- • Limit to 2-3 finishes maximum
- • Have one dominant finish (hardware)
- • Use others as accents (faucet, lighting)
- • Repeat each finish at least twice in the room
What to Avoid
- • Random mixing of 4+ different finishes
- • Similar-but-not-matching (polished vs brushed of same metal)
- • Ignoring your appliance handles
- • Forgetting about light fixtures
Always Buy One Piece First
Golden rule: Before ordering 20-40 pieces of hardware, buy a single pull or knob and live with it for a few days. Photos online don't show how finishes look in your specific lighting, next to your specific cabinet color.
Test for:
- • How it looks in morning vs evening light
- • Color against your cabinet color
- • How it feels in your hand
- • Quality and weight
Where to test:
- • Most-used cabinet door
- • Near your faucet (for comparison)
- • Where natural light hits
- • Where artificial light hits
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular hardware finish in 2025?
Matte black and brushed gold (champagne bronze) are leading. Black offers modern versatility. Gold adds warmth and is especially hot with white and navy cabinets. Brushed nickel remains the reliable classic.
Should hardware match the faucet?
It doesn't have to, but it should coordinate. Matching exactly is the easiest approach. Intentional mixing (2-3 finishes) can look designer. Random mixing looks unplanned.
What finish goes with white cabinets?
White cabinets work with almost anything. Black creates contrast. Gold adds warmth. Chrome is classic. Nickel is safe. Bronze adds traditional character. Choose based on your style and other finishes.
Is mixing metal finishes okay?
Yes, when done intentionally. Limit to 2-3 finishes, have one dominant finish, and repeat each finish at least twice. Example: nickel hardware, brass faucet, black light fixtures.
Ready for the Next Step?
Once you've chosen a finish, it's time to count how many pieces you need. A typical kitchen needs 20-40 pieces of hardware.