Choosing Timeless Cabinet Hardware for White Kitchen Cabinets
I pondered over what color hardware to use for my white kitchen cabinets for what felt like forever when I was updating my kitchen.
First, I was on a budget, and new hardware is oddly expensive. That is if you let it!
Next, I wanted something that was modern, yet timeless. Something I wouldn’t get sick of in just a few years.
I went back and forth between black and gold for months because I love the modern farmhouse style with bright whites and contrasting black. But I also love the look of the softer, more transitional style that uses gold hardware.
You can see what I finally ended up going with, and loving, right here in this post that walks you through my entire budget Cape Cod Kitchen remodel.
Now, let’s get to the best kitchen cabinet hardware color for white kitchen cabinets!
Just a quick heads-up: Everything in this post reflects my genuine opinions and recommendations, but it’s not a substitute for professional advice. To keep this content free, I use ads and include affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Matte Black Hardware for Kitchen Cabinets
Black hardware with a matte finish is the hottest trend in kitchen hardware. And it’s not wonder because the way it pops off white is stunning! What I love about it is how it has an industrial vibe, yet when paired with white, creates the quintessential modern farmhouse look.
Black knobs and pulls work well with just about any cabinet color. I’ve even used black hardware with a blue vanity. This unexpected color combination worked surprisingly well, which proves black cabinet hardware is truly so versatile.
As I mentioned, I had difficulty deciding between black and gold hardware during my kitchen remodel. And what I learned is, you can’t go wrong with either, but these two different color options definitely create a totally different look.
Black hardware is definitely more modern farmhouse, or industrial than some of the other options.
Gold Kitchen Cabinet Hardware
Gold cabinet hardware, when done correctly, is so incredibly beautiful. The key is when done correctly because some there are some hideous and outdated gold options available.
Thank goodness for Amazon because my local stores had barely any gold options. Gold is so tricky; it took me four tries to get mine right! The winner ended up being these soft champagne gold bar pulls.
The color variation between gold is abundant, so if you’re trying to match all the fixtures in your home, be prepare for it to take time to get it just right.
My advice is, if possible, bring the existing fixture to the store and compare on the spot. Or if you’re situation is similar to mine where you don’t have local options, then order a bunch at one time to compare side by side.
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 ended up mixing metals.
So, for my light fixture, I went with black, and for the cabinet doors, I went with gold pulls and gold hinges. Since I kept my old cabinets and painted them white, I had to also find hinges).
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, then oil-rubbed bronze is a timeless look you can not go wrong with.
It is similar to black pulls but has an antique-looking finish making it a little less stark. The copper undertones that are so beautifully mixed throughout the finish are what make this hardware color unique.
Oil-rubbed bronze also has a lot of variation in the finish; sometimes, it’s more chocolate brown, bronze finish. Other times, it’s so dark, that it is easy to mistake it for black.
Antique Brass Kitchen Cabinet Hardware
Last, but not least is Antique brass. This hardware color 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 because it pairs so incredibly old wood and painted furniture. The warm colors from this hardware paired with the more modern design of refinished furniture creates the most sophisticated look.
DIY Antique Brass Hardware Using Rub-N-Buff
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.
What I love about this product is how without any special skills or tools, you can easily turn an ordinary knob or pull 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!
Hey girl, loving this project?
📌 Pin it now so it’s easy to find when you’re ready to tackle it. Just hover over the image and click the Pinterest button 👇
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
- brushed nickel, which has a more muted shine
- satin finish
These two options are used widely in homes, especially new builds, because matching silver hardware is much easier than trying to match some of the other options.
If you are not into the look of mixing metals, then the best choice for you is chrome because these are the easiest to match with other fixtures. They also perfectly match stainless steel appliances.
Finding matching kitchen fixtures is way easier because the finish is more uniform. There are no surprises when ordering chrome hardware.
The one thing you will need to be mindful of when ordering silver hardware is not mistake or think that satin and brushed nickel are one and the same. A satin finish looks very similar to brushed nickel, but when compared side by side they do look different.
Cabinet Hardware on White Cabinetry FAQ’s
What Color Hardware for Shaker Cabinets in 2024?
I’m not a fan of picking the best, or going with the latest trends. For me, it’s all about finding something timeless, that makes me happy, and that will outlast any trend.
To determine the right choice for you, the better questions to ask is what do you like? What looks best to you? 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.
What Size Bar Pulls Do I Use?
Since installing cabinet hardware requires you to drill into your cabinets, you definitely don’t want to choose the wrong size! This other post will be really helpful if you’re wondering about what size bar pulls for kitchen cabinets.
Does Black Hardware Match Stainless Steel Appliances?
Yes! Black hardware absolutely matches stainless steel appliances. This exact color combo is currently a popular choice.
Does Kitchen Hardware Have to Match My Kitchen Lighting Fixtures?
Nope! Light fixtures and cabinet hardware don’t need to be the same color. I would avoid having mis-matching same colors through. Meaning, don’t have two different gold finishes because this will look bad. But having gold hardware, and black light fixtures, is perfectly ok, and it looks really good!
Cabinet Hinge Colors
These days, most cabinet hinges are hidden, so their color doesn’t matter. But, like in my old kitchen 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 should match the cabinet hinges as best as possible.
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 white cabinets. I hope my experience with choosing cabinet hardware has helped you feel more confident about picking the best cabinet hardware for your kitchen.
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