This year's trends are pushing for more eclectic, unique spaces, but can and should you mix and match your kitchen cabinet hardware? Incorporating playful mixes, from handle styles to fixture finishes, seems like the easiest way to add interest to your scheme, but is it a designer-approved approach?
With so many different kitchen cabinet hardware ideas and ever-changing kitchen trends, it can be hard to keep track of the dos and don'ts of kitchen design. But is mixing and matching hardware a new way to add unique curb appeal to your design, or a passing trend that should be avoided?
To find out whether 2024 will be the year to embrace mismatched handles or if they should be steered clear of as an outdated trend, we asked kitchen designers whether they think you should mix up your kitchen cabinet hardware or keep it uniform.
Should you mix your kitchen cabinet hardware?
(Image courtesy of Naked Kitchens)
For the longest time, the approach to kitchen hardware has been to buy a pack of handles and stick them on every door and drawer to create consistency in the scheme. And while that has always worked well and lends itself to aesthetic design, it seems homeowners are looking for a more unique approach to their kitchen décor. This is where mixing and matching kitchen hardware can help.
“Mixing hardware in your kitchen may sound like you're being told to use contrasting finishes and styles and think outside the box, but it's not as scary as it sounds. In fact, mixing hardware is one of the biggest kitchen trends for 2024,” says Richard Davonport, managing director at Davonport.
Some people mix up finishes, while others stick to one finish and incorporate a variety of styles. “Using a variety of cabinet hardware within a design is great – you can use different sizes within the same collection or mix and match bars, T-bars and knobs depending on the cabinet,” says Jane Everett, creative director at Naked Kitchens.
(Image courtesy of Naked Kitchens)
The hardware used for each cabinet and drawer is dictated by its practical function as well as its appearance. “Bar handles work really well on drawers, but don't necessarily work well with wall-mounted cabinets in the same scheme, so mixing up handle types creates a much better look. If you need to account for storage for tall appliances, long bar handles are a good choice,” she adds.
But a successful plan requires keeping your hardware mixes subtle: Too much variety can make your kitchen look cluttered and disorganized, so “use a mix of two or three different styles of hardware to add interest,” says interior designer Tama Bell.
Mixing finishes on your kitchen hardware, on the other hand, can also add interest and character to your space, though mixing metals has long been a contentious issue. But experts claim that when combined right, it can make for a truly eye-catching look.
(Image courtesy of deVOL Kitchens)
“Experimenting with different hardware finishes within your kitchen cabinets creates an intentionally eclectic design, which can be really cool. Different appliance finishes, such as a stainless steel refrigerator and brass faucet, allow you to continue this theme throughout the design,” says Jane.
2024 is the year of eclectic style, after all, and introducing eclectic hardware is a more subtle yet lasting way to incorporate that trend into your space. “It can also add a beautiful sense of depth that adds a luxurious, upscale finish to your kitchen,” adds Richard.
If you want to mix and match kitchen hardware finishes, there are a few guidelines you should follow to ensure it looks chic rather than mismatched. Just like with mixing and matching hardware styles, it's important to create a sense of curation rather than covering your kitchen with random handles.
(Image courtesy of Davonport)
“We recommend using two or three metal finishes in a 70/30 ratio to maintain a cohesive look. Pick a main metal finish and style (70%) and coordinate it with an accent metal (30%). Following these rules will help you create a visually rich and stimulating space,” explains Richard.
“In this kitchen [pictured above]”I wanted to draw attention throughout the space, so the rich purple cabinetry and gold hardware wasn't just limited to the kitchen island, but also used on the floor cabinets, which contrast with taller and wall-mounted units with industrial matte black handles. That way, your eye is drawn to the darker units, which complement the gold handles, and then moves to the lighter cabinets, where you see the unusual and intricate industrial handles,” he explains.
That said, while you can and should mix and match kitchen cabinet hardware, be careful not to overdo it: Rather than collecting an overwhelming number of items, focus on a small selection of finishes and styles to create a curated, eclectic scheme.
Lucille Grooved Kitchen Handle
Whether you mix styles, finishes, or both, blending designs can help you achieve a kitchen plan that's full of personality, which adds visual interest to your space. Rest assured, mixing kitchen hardware is expected to become a permanent feature, not a passing trend.
