The kitchen is one of the most practical rooms in any home, but design updates like a beautiful backsplash and expert-approved cabinet colors can give this area the spark it needs. However, if you want to take your space to the next level, it's important to consider the finer details, like your kitchen cabinet hardware.
Sure, it's easy to dismiss knobs and handles as an afterthought, or a purely functional feature. But the right hardware can be a key element in creating a cool, fresh, and personalized kitchen. For designers, 2024 is the year to be. all About thoughtful, traditional touches.
“Classic and living finishes are making a comeback; they tarnish gracefully over time, adding warmth and character to a space,” says designer Alison Babcock. “Gone are the days of pink and rose gold, giving way to a new appreciation for timeless hardware.”
Luckily, you don't have to look far for design inspiration: We've rounded up 10 of the best kitchen cabinet hardware ideas for 2024, from traditional knobs to quirky takes on classic knobs.
1. Experiment with knobs and handles with different textures
“Cabinet hardware is like jewelry, adding glamour and style to your kitchen,” explains Massachusetts-based designer Vani Said. “I like to incorporate rounded hardware to soften the sharp edges of my kitchen cabinets.”
The best way to do this, says Said, is to add thoughtful textural touches. In this kitchen, she frosted the teal cabinets with crystal knobs, curved, cup-shaped pulls, and an intricate trellis pattern on the long appliance handles. “I think the mix of different shapes, sizes, and materials will be pushed even more as a design detail in the second half of 2024,” she predicts.
2. Keep your hardware out of sight
Looking for something a little more modern? Here's your cue to choose cabinet hardware that blends in with the rest of your kitchen. “We chose hardware to bring focus to the millwork, not compete with the design,” says Kevin Kaminski, architect and partner at Kaminski + Pew. “The polished nickel handles offer great functionality with minimal impact.” This stealth set not only reduces visual clutter, but also puts the spotlight on the sleek wood fronts.
3. Choose unlacquered brass
If you're looking to add a sophisticated touch to your kitchen cabinets, try gold. (Unlacquered brass, to be exact.) “The recessed detailing really creates a vintage, heirloom effect,” designer Tess Tweehouse says of the deVOL hardware she used in this atmospheric space. “It will develop a patina over time!” For an aesthetically pleasing and practical option, Tweehouse suggests opting for thicker knobs and handles. “If they're too light, they can feel a bit flimsy and crude,” she adds.
4. Consider unique knob and pull shapes
Unlacquered brass already exudes luxury appeal, but if you want to take this material (or any metal finish) to the next level, consider unconventional hardware shapes. In this space, Kaminski + Pew opted for brass hardware with small knotted details, adding a thoughtful edge to this trendy touch.
5. Use dark finishes
Consider trying the dark side with hardware in a black, nickel, or brushed pewter finish. These hues are considered neutrals, but they can create a great contrast in an all-white kitchen. New York designer Allison Babcock looks for options with rounded, more classic details, like in this traditional space. “I always eschew trends for classic hardware,” she explains. “The appeal of classic finishes is always reliable and can stand the test of time.”
6. Hardware Combine metals
Why stick with just one kitchen cabinet hardware idea when you can incorporate several? California-based designer Alexis Vitale did just that in this light, airy space. “I think of kitchen hardware as one of the final pieces that tie a space together—it's like the icing on the cake,” she says. “We love mixing metals, but we keep a more simple, sophisticated approach to the kitchen.” The curved cabinets' minimalist brass knobs created a “clean, seamless moment,” but the additional black pulls added extra polish and sophistication, says Vitale.
7. Look for grooved implements
Just because the design pendulum is swinging back towards tradition doesn't mean you have to hide your bold side. For the perfect mix of classic and eye-catching, try fun, intricately detailed knobs made from timeless brass that go with everything. “Simply changing out your knobs and drawer pulls is an easy way to elevate a space,” says Dani Nagel, owner and designer of Dazey LA and Dazey Den. “I like to choose artistic, decorative handles that tell a story and make a statement.”
8. Use geometric patterns
In case you missed it, traditional kitchen cabinet hardware doesn't have to be boring. Just take a look at this space from Atelier Davis, where Atlanta-based designer Jessica Davis used Nest Studio's DECO – 5.5S hardware, a rounded handle with a strong Art Deco vibe. The result? A vintage-inspired cabinet idea that would look equally impressive in a modern kitchen or a more classic space.
9. Re-use the backplate
If you want to liven up your kitchen hardware, you might need to call in a backup, literally. “Adding Backplates to Modern Hardware [can] “It accentuates the size and scale of the knob or handle,” says Trish Knight, co-founder of Knight Varga Interiors. “Previously, this level of detail was limited to more traditional styles, but now it's an option in contemporary styles as well.” Most handles don't have a backplate, so this added material makes the hardware a focal point in the kitchen.
10. Leather handles add a touch of luxury
While metal may seem like the obvious choice for kitchen cabinet hardware in 2024, why not try leather handles for a thoughtful alternative. Whether it's an armchair or a comfy sectional sofa, leather has a timeless quality that will always transcend eras and trends. When used on kitchen cabinets, the material feels classic, casual, and incredibly cool, as seen in this kitchen designed by Rachel Wade.
