Are you wondering what color hardware for white kitchen cabinets? I pondered over this for what felt like forever when I was updating my kitchen.
When I was updating my kitchen, I was on a budget, but luckily new hardware is the most inexpensive portion of the project. It was also the easiest to tackle, especially since I used a hardware size that utilized the original cabinet hardware hole size.
The hardest part was deciding on the color because I was torn between two styles. The first was a modern farmhouse style with bright whites and contrasting black. The second was a softer, more transitional style with softer whites and gold tones.
Updating kitchen hardware is one of the easiest ways to change the look of your kitchen without totally breaking the bank or taking a whole ton of time. If you’ve recently updated your kitchen, as I had, you may wonder what the best hardware color is to go with your updated white cabinets. Because white cabinets are the easiest color to work with, the good news is, there is no right or wrong hardware color! What does play into making the best choice is your kitchen’s color scheme and the overall style you want to achieve.
Here’s a guide on kitchen cabinet hardware color for white kitchen cabinets!
Disclaimer: Please remember that I am a DIY enthusiast, not a professional. This article is for general information use and is not a substitute for professional advice. Before taking any actions, consult a professional! Additionally, this may contain affiliate links where I receive a small commission if you make a purchase using my link. All opinions and recommendations are my own. I truly appreciate you taking my suggestions and using my links. Thank you for being so supportive!
Matte Black Hardware for Kitchen Cabinets
Black hardware with a matte finish is the hottest trend in hardware for white kitchen cabinets. The black accents pop off the white, giving an industrial look mixed with farmhouse appeal; this combination is the quintessential modern farmhouse look.
And not just for white cabinets; black cabinet knobs and cabinet pulls work well with just about any cabinet color except black. I’ve even used black hardware with a blue vanity. This unexpected color combination worked well, proving black cabinet hardware is truly so versatile.
As I mentioned, I had difficulty deciding between black and gold hardware during my kitchen remodel. The good news is you can’t go wrong with either, but the two colors definitely create a totally different look in your kitchen. Black hardware is more modern farmhouse, whereas gold hardware creates a softer, more transitional look. Ultimately, the deciding factor was that since my first floor was completely open concept, and the rest of the house had a more classic vintage appeal, I opted for the gold hardware. The bones of this house were old, and I was leaning into this style more than the modern farmhouse style.
On a separate remodel project, I did finally get to use black hardware with white shaker kitchen cabinets and the results were stunning! You can see this color combination in this post about my diy mudroom ideas for small spaces.
Gold Kitchen Cabinet Hardware
Gold cabinet hardware, when done correctly, is so incredibly beautiful. The key is when done correctly because some hideous and outdated gold color choices are available. Thank goodness for Amazon because it took me four tries to get it right! The winning gold cabinet hardware color ended up being these soft champagne gold bar pulls.
The color variation between gold is abundant, so if you’re trying to match the fixtures in your home with your gold kitchen cabinet hardware, it’s going to take a few tries to get it right. A great way to make sure things match is to bring the existing fixture to the store and compare on the spot. The other option, like I ended up doing, was to order a bunch and see how it looked in my home.
Because it was so hard to find hardware and light fixtures that all had the same golden tone and finish in the style I wanted, I mixed metals. So, for my light fixture, I went with black, and for the cabinet doors, I went with gold hardware. Modern kitchens definitely mix metals – more on how to mix metals properly later in this post!
Oil-Rubbed Bronze Kitchen Cabinet Hardware
If you’re not entirely sold on black hardware with white kitchen cabinets, then oil-rubbed bronze is a timeless look you can not go wrong with. Oil-rubbed bronze hardware is similar to black pulls but has an antique-looking finish versus the more modern finish of black hardware.
Oil-rubbed bronze also has a lot of variation in the finish; sometimes, it’s more chocolate brown bronze finish, and other times you can mistake it for black. The copper undertones that are so beautifully found sparingly throughout the finish make this hardware color unique.
>> This other post will be really helpful if you’re wondering about what size bar pulls for kitchen cabinets.
Chrome Cabinet Hardware Ideas
Chrome hardware is an excellent choice for a more modern look, especially if you have more grey tones used throughout your home. There are two types of silver kitchen cabinet hardware: chrome, which has a bright and shiny finish and brushed nickel, which has a more muted shine.
These two options are used widely in homes, especially new builds, because matching silver hardware is much easier than trying to match gold. If you are not into the look of matching metals, the best choice for you is chrome kitchen cabinet hardware because they match stainless steel appliances. Finding matching kitchen fixtures is much easier in this finish because there aren’t the same variations as with other colors; the finish is more uniform, so there are no surprises when ordering chrome hardware. You’ll know exactly what to expect when you order something in this finish.
You’ll have to be careful when ordering, not mistake or think that satin and brushed nickel are one and the same. The other silver cabinet hardware available is a satin nickel finish. This hardware finish looks very similar to brushed nickel, the difference being how the coloring was achieved, which makes the two choices look different when compared side by side.
Antique Brass Kitchen Cabinet Hardware
Antique brass pairs well with white shaker style cabinets, and what is different about this option versus the others we’ve talked about is how it gives the most antique look. This hardware style is most comparable to gold, but the antique finish applied over a brass hardware base makes it look aged. The other thing I like about this cabinet hardware finish is that it is matte vs. shiny. There is a lot of variation between brands, so matching antique brass hardware from one brand to another can take time and effort.
On a side note, antique brass hardware is my go-to style when refinishing furniture, and this finish pairs so incredibly well with painted wood furniture. The warm colors from this hardware paired with the more modern design of refinished furniture creates the most sophisticated look.
If you’re looking for an easy diy, how about creating your own antique bronze hardware? Rub-n-Buff is the best product for the job, and I love their European Gold wax metallic finish. The best thing about this product is how easy it is to take existing hardware and, with no special skills or tools, turn it into beautifully aged hardware. A tube of this will cost you less than ten dollars and will last forever. A little bit of Rub-n-Buff goes a long way!
What is the Best Color Hardware for White Cabinetry?
I think the best color hardware for white shaker cabinets is black or gold, and a close runner-up is antique bronze. Although silver hardware provides a clean look, I am not a fan of silver hardware. But I’m not a fan of picking “the best” because there is so much more that goes into finding the perfect choice than the color cabinet.
To determine the right choice, the better question to ask is what the style of your kitchen is because the answer will help guide you to find the best hardware for your kitchen cabinets.
If you’re going for a modern farmhouse look, go with black cabinet hardware. If your white cabinets are a bit softer white, and you’re going for a more transitional farmhouse style, then go with gold or antique brass. Silver cabinet hardware is a great choice for a home with a grey color palette.
Does Black Hardware Match Stainless Steel Appliances?
Yes! Black hardware will match your stainless steel appliances. Popular choices for current hardware trends are this exact color combo. And quite honestly, black cabinet hardware goes with any appliance finish, including black appliances.
Does Kitchen Hardware Have to Match My Kitchen Lighting Fixtures?
Nope! Light fixtures and cabinet hardware can be in a different color finish to achieve a cohesive look, that is, if we are talking about mixing metals. If you have two different gold finishes, these could actually be different styles and may clash. This is the problem I ran into in my bathroom remodel, so I mixed black and gold metal finishes, which looked more cohesive than when I had two gold finishes because they were not the same shade.
What are the Best Options for Cabinet Hinges?
These days, cabinet hinges are hidden, so their color doesn’t matter; the overwhelming majority are silver. But, like in my old kitchen that I updated by painting the cabinets, the hinges were visible, and because the door was so thin, there was no other option but to have the cabinet hinges exposed. In this case, the cabinet hardware needs to match the cabinet hinges as best as possible.
I’d love to see how you used these ideas in your home; tag me in a photo on Instagram @tantrumsandtools, and I’ll share your results in my stories!
xo
Amanda
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