Hardware

There are no hard and fast rules that can guide us on how to determine the right kitchen cabinet hardware size and placement, but there are a few pointers to assist you to figure out what will work for your cabinets. There are some terminologies you need to understand when looking to install cabinet hardware. They are: 

1. Centre-to-Centre is the measurement between the centres of each screw hole. When searching for new cabinet hardware, this is the most important measurement to look for. 
2. Overall Length is the distance between the pull’s ends. This measurement is always longer than centre-to-centre and should be considered when determining the length of your cabinet hardware.  
3. Projection is the area between your door and the door knob. This is vital to remember so that your handles do not obstruct the flow of doors in your kitchen. 

How to choose the right cabinet hardware size?

An otherwise flawless kitchen can severely suffer from careless hardware selection. Initially, choosing the right hardware fittings and cabinet material may seem like a simple step, but it can significantly enhance the appearance and functionality of your kitchen. When you are narrowing down your options for modular kitchen cabinet hardware, take these 6 factors into account.

Kitchen hardware style

Image Source: Emily Henderson on Pinterest

The style of your kitchen fittings should complement the other components of the kitchen’s decor. Arched panels on your cabinets will look good with rounded pulls or round knobs. Long square hardware designs will look fantastic with simple flat shutters. Curved forms are typically more classic, whilst square styles tend to look more modern.

Kitchen hardware utility and comfort

All other considerations should come after comfort and functionality. Before making a purchase, make sure you use the hardware rather than just choosing it from a catalogue solely based on appearance. Check if the edges are jagged or sharp. Does it have enough room to fit your fingers through? Do “soft close” mechanisms actually close softly?

Kitchens are the heart of the home and cabinets are an important element of creating a bespoke designer kitchen. However, at times the cabinet style can leave you feeling underwhelmed. The main mistakes people tend to make while designing custom cabinets are:

Image Source: Laurysen Kitchens

1. Overlooking the design layout: It’s vital to follow the work triangle while customising cabinets. Also, filling walls with too many cabinets is a designing mistake that may make the place feel stuffy. 
2. Making poor colour choices: The colour scheme will affect the overall look of the space. Therefore, cabinets should blend with the kitchen decor. 
3. Failing to raise cabinets to the ceiling height: It results in a gap where dust might gather, making the space difficult to maintain. 
4. Compromising the hardware quality: It is important to choose good-quality hardware (hinges, knobs, etc.) as per the cabinet style. 

While selecting cabinet hardware we have to take into consideration the design elements of the space. But many people tend to overlook a few important factors which can hamper the functionality of the cabinet.

Image Source: Signature Home Services

The most common mistakes made when selecting cabinet hardware are: 

1. Not trying and testing the hardware before purchasing. 
2. Failing to stick to the budget and compromising on quality. 
3. Using mismatching hardware, resulting in an uncoordinated look.  
4. Following trends because what works for someone else may not work for you. 
5. Overlooking the finishing; be cautious as sharp edges can hurt you. 
6. Buying products that don’t fit in with the standard screw sizes. 
7. Choosing style over comfort, pick products that are a blend of both. 

Are your kitchen cabinet handles misaligned? Don’t worry this can be fixed, giving your kitchen the desired aesthetic appeal. Here are some top tips to re-align your cabinet handles and knobs:

Image Source: Renovated Faith

1. Use masking tape to measure the spirit level. Mark the centre points of the hole on the tape. Remove the tape and apply it to your cabinet, using a spirit level to re-adjust.
2. Drill a hole on the marked point.
3. Fill the old hole with an elegant backplate.

It is always ideal to mark the dimensions of the handles on the cabinet door. As a rule of thumb, you want your cabinet hardware to be placed 50 mm away from the top and sides of the door.

Click here to learn more about furniture fittings.

Cabinet hinges are crucial parts of storage systems. Choosing the right cabinet hinge type can be a little daunting because of the many styles available. To ensure the right choice you have to consider 2 things:

1. Construction type: There are two types of cabinets – face frame and frameless cabinets. Both of them require different types of hinges, such as corner hinges, concealed hinges, etc.

2. Cabinet door type: Based on the type of door, hinges can be of the following types:

• Overlay hinges
• Butt hinges
• Surface-mounted cabinet hinges
• Inset hinges
• Offset hinges

Image Source: Rockler

Click here to learn about the different cabinet hinge types in detail.

A door latch is attached to the frame of the door, to help keep it closed. Door latches fasten the door to other types of surfaces like walls or wooden frames.

Image Source: Adobe Stock

Door latches add security and keep away trespassers. The latches are available in different sizes as per usage. The commonly available types of door latches are:

• Internal Door Latch
• Tubular Latch
• Flat Latch
• Roller Bolt Latch
• Spring Loaded Latch
• External Door Latch
• Sliding Bolt Latch
• Rim Latch
• Hook and Eye Latch
• Chain Latch
• Swing-Bar Latch
• Gravity Latch
• Mortise Latch

To learn more about door latches, click here.

Door handles come in many different types and finishes. Most are easy to install and add the final finishing touch to your home.  The different types of a door handles are:

Image Source: Ironmongery Experts 

1. Lever on backplate handles: Traditional in style, these have a lever and a backplate.
2. Lever on rose handles: These have levers with a square or circular rose.
3. D pull handles: Fitted externally on a door. these come in different designs.
4. Flush pull handles:  Mostly used for sliding doors.
5. Doorknobs: These can be used with latches and locks to add to security.
6. Thumb turns: Used mostly in bathrooms, it bolts in and out of the lock.
7. Cabinet cup handles: Perfect for drawers and cabinets because of the grip they provide.
8. Cabinet pull handles: These add to the design element.

One of the easiest ways to upgrade the design of your space is to select stylish door hardware. With so many designs available, choosing the best door hardware might be confusing.

Image Source: Build

To choose the correct hardware for your doors you have to keep in mind the following factors.

• Choose a style and finish that matches your preferences.
• Measure the door thickness and the backset of the door. The backset is the space between the edge of the door and the hole. A standard backset is 2 3/4 or 2 3/8 inches.
• Select the hardware as per the functionality. Privacy door handles are important for spaces where you want to limit access. You can place dummy knobs for decorative purposes in places that do not require privacy.

Read More >>

According to design experts, it is not necessary to match the main door hardware with the rest of the house. In most cases, you will find that the front door hardware has a different finish compared to the other doors. The fittings used for the front door are chosen as per its design.

Image Source: Hiatt Hardware

It is also recommended to match the hinge colour with the colour palette used in the home decor as the main door is mostly closed and the fittings are only visible from inside the house. 

A door jamb and a door frame are two different things. So, what is a door jamb vs a door frame? A door frame is made of a mix of horizontal and vertical members which are placed on all sides to provide support to a door. A jamb, on the other hand, is a flat surface that runs vertically on each side of the door frame. It is vital to the functioning of the door. This is where the hinges are placed to hang the door, and the striker plate on the opposite side helps you to open, close, and lock your door.

Image Source: WC Manet

The door frame is a combination of parts including the jamb. The parts are:

• Door Jamb
• Mullion
• Head
• Sill
• Casing

Read More >>

A drawer slide is a hardware fitting that allows a drawer to move into and out of the furniture in which it’s installed. Each drawer has a pair of slides fixed to it. When you open a drawer, it will glide along these slides. 6 different drawer slide types are available, namely:

Ball bearing

Image Source: Grass USA

Soft Close

Image Source: Hvpal Hardware

Under-mount

Image Source: Handyman’s Daughter

Side mount

Image Source: CS Hardware

Center mount

Image Source: Ubuy

Roller

Image Source: Hettich

Image Source: Home Woodworker

All drawer slide types have their own pros and cons. Ball bearing slides are inexpensive while under-mount slides are easy to install. Similarly, center-mount slides give a compact look as they stay hidden.

The door hinge is a piece of hardware that connects the door to the frame, allowing it to open and close properly. The strongest type of hinge is the butt hinge. It is designed to provide stability to heavy doors that are commonly used in residential and commercial buildings. These types of door hinges can bear heavy loads up to 120 kgs. These hinges come with two leaves and a knuckle.

Image Source:  GXT Store

The ball bearing hinge (a type of butt hinge) is considered the strongest heavy-duty hinge making it a top choice for entry doors.  These hinges can also be used for doors that are 4 feet wide.

A sliding door is easy to use, but all of its components must be aligned for it to function properly. These doors don’t require any hinges to operate. Also, they do not need extra space for the door arc. To ensure that the door construction is safe, all components should align with the rest. The names of the components of a sliding door are as follows:

Image Source: Hardware Hut

Components of a sliding door

1. Track: The track line should ideally be twice the length of the door to ensure its works effectively. Also, multiple track lines are used when the doors move side-by-side.

2. Brackets: You can choose from wall brackets or soffit brackets. Since the number of brackets is selected on the basis of the track length, check the bracket interval to ensure a perfect fit.

3. Jump Block:

The placement of a cabinet pull in the correct way is aesthetically pleasing and practical. Pulls provide a modern look and are easy to grasp. The 3 different types of cabinet pull and their proper position are described below.

Image Source: Mockett

Selecting the perfect door knob is more than simply a matter of aesthetics. It is important to make sure that the hardware you purchase is of the correct size so that the door can function properly. The standard size for a door knob is a diameter of  2 3/8 inches or 2 3/4 inches and these will fit doors that have a thickness from 1 3/8 inches to 1 3/4 inches.

Image Source: Period Homes

Before purchasing a new door knob you should consider all these standard sizes to ensure a perfect fit. Most door knobs available are adjustable and therefore can fit in with different door sizes.

Door knobs hardware is available in various different designs, and it is essential to choose the right product as per the design scheme of your home. While some people may prefer using the same style of door knobs throughout their home, others may find it redundant and want the knobs to match the interior design of the space. To combat this problem, one can go for a split finish.

The split finish is an ideal technique where your door knob hardware will have the same design as the other ones in your home but the finish will be in accordance with the design of the room. The inside and outside of the door will have the same knob but with a different finish.

Image Source: Corston

While there is no fixed rule as such, it is advised that if your hinges are exposed, they should match your door knobs. Matching door hardware is a designer’s trick to improve your home’s overall aesthetic.

Image Source:  Rocky Canyon Rustic

Although door knobs don’t have to match door hinges, there are several advantages to matching them:

• Gives a uniform look: Matching hardware in a home gives a sense of continuity and increases the aesthetic value.
• More cost-effective: Upgrading door hardware can be quite expensive so it is better to buy in bulk with matching finishes.
• Reflects your personality: An easy way to showcase your personality in a home is by selecting a preferred matching door hardware set.

When deciding whether to select a knob, a pull, or both, there are no hard and fast rules to follow. One smart solution is to use pulls for all kitchen drawer handles and knobs for all cabinet doors. Using a pull to open a drawer is significantly more pleasant. By doing this, you can grab the handle with your entire hand rather than just your fingers. With all of your pots, pans, dishes, etc., drawers may become very heavy, so this is very handy.

Image Source: TriggerPhoto

You can confine yourself to using only pulls or only knobs also. A trend that was seen in many kitchens earlier, is the usage of knobs for all the cabinet handles. In modern kitchens, mostly all pulls are used because of their contemporary look and easy operation.

To learn more about kitchen design, cabinet, and handles, read:

Take hardware finish into serious consideration when working on a new kitchen cabinet or updating an old installation; it could make or break the space! Here is a list of the 5 most common hardware finishes.

1. Polished Brass: Polished Brass is a timeless style with a retro appeal that is currently having a comeback in bathroom decor.
2. Antique Brass: Rich brown tones and a golden glow combine to make antique brass the perfect choice for traditional-styled rooms.
3. Satin Nickel: With warm undertones and gloss, satin nickel has a luxurious feel. It complements stainless steel appliances well, making it a fantastic option for kitchens.
4. Chrome: This finish provides a sleek, contemporary appearance. Its bright, tidy appearance makes it a favourite in bathrooms.
5. Matte Black: Matte Black strikes a balance between traditional and modern design that is both consistently striking and adaptable.

There are no hard and fast rules that can guide us on how to determine the right kitchen cabinet hardware size and placement, but there are a few pointers to assist you to figure out what will work for your cabinets. There are some terminologies you need to understand when looking to install cabinet hardware. They are: 

1. Centre-to-Centre is the measurement between the centres of each screw hole. When searching for new cabinet hardware, this is the most important measurement to look for. 
2. Overall Length is the distance between the pull’s ends. This measurement is always longer than centre-to-centre and should be considered when determining the length of your cabinet hardware.  
3. Projection is the area between your door and the door knob. This is vital to remember so that your handles do not obstruct the flow of doors in your kitchen. 

How to choose the right cabinet hardware size?

An otherwise flawless kitchen can severely suffer from careless hardware selection. Initially, choosing the right hardware fittings and cabinet material may seem like a simple step, but it can significantly enhance the appearance and functionality of your kitchen. When you are narrowing down your options for modular kitchen cabinet hardware, take these 6 factors into account.

Kitchen hardware style

Image Source: Emily Henderson on Pinterest

The style of your kitchen fittings should complement the other components of the kitchen’s decor. Arched panels on your cabinets will look good with rounded pulls or round knobs. Long square hardware designs will look fantastic with simple flat shutters. Curved forms are typically more classic, whilst square styles tend to look more modern.

Kitchen hardware utility and comfort

All other considerations should come after comfort and functionality. Before making a purchase, make sure you use the hardware rather than just choosing it from a catalogue solely based on appearance. Check if the edges are jagged or sharp. Does it have enough room to fit your fingers through? Do “soft close” mechanisms actually close softly?

Kitchens are the heart of the home and cabinets are an important element of creating a bespoke designer kitchen. However, at times the cabinet style can leave you feeling underwhelmed. The main mistakes people tend to make while designing custom cabinets are:

Image Source: Laurysen Kitchens

1. Overlooking the design layout: It’s vital to follow the work triangle while customising cabinets. Also, filling walls with too many cabinets is a designing mistake that may make the place feel stuffy. 
2. Making poor colour choices: The colour scheme will affect the overall look of the space. Therefore, cabinets should blend with the kitchen decor. 
3. Failing to raise cabinets to the ceiling height: It results in a gap where dust might gather, making the space difficult to maintain. 
4. Compromising the hardware quality: It is important to choose good-quality hardware (hinges, knobs, etc.) as per the cabinet style. 

While selecting cabinet hardware we have to take into consideration the design elements of the space. But many people tend to overlook a few important factors which can hamper the functionality of the cabinet.

Image Source: Signature Home Services

The most common mistakes made when selecting cabinet hardware are: 

1. Not trying and testing the hardware before purchasing. 
2. Failing to stick to the budget and compromising on quality. 
3. Using mismatching hardware, resulting in an uncoordinated look.  
4. Following trends because what works for someone else may not work for you. 
5. Overlooking the finishing; be cautious as sharp edges can hurt you. 
6. Buying products that don’t fit in with the standard screw sizes. 
7. Choosing style over comfort, pick products that are a blend of both. 

Are your kitchen cabinet handles misaligned? Don’t worry this can be fixed, giving your kitchen the desired aesthetic appeal. Here are some top tips to re-align your cabinet handles and knobs:

Image Source: Renovated Faith

1. Use masking tape to measure the spirit level. Mark the centre points of the hole on the tape. Remove the tape and apply it to your cabinet, using a spirit level to re-adjust.
2. Drill a hole on the marked point.
3. Fill the old hole with an elegant backplate.

It is always ideal to mark the dimensions of the handles on the cabinet door. As a rule of thumb, you want your cabinet hardware to be placed 50 mm away from the top and sides of the door.

Click here to learn more about furniture fittings.

Cabinet hinges are crucial parts of storage systems. Choosing the right cabinet hinge type can be a little daunting because of the many styles available. To ensure the right choice you have to consider 2 things:

1. Construction type: There are two types of cabinets – face frame and frameless cabinets. Both of them require different types of hinges, such as corner hinges, concealed hinges, etc.

2. Cabinet door type: Based on the type of door, hinges can be of the following types:

• Overlay hinges
• Butt hinges
• Surface-mounted cabinet hinges
• Inset hinges
• Offset hinges

Image Source: Rockler

Click here to learn about the different cabinet hinge types in detail.

A door latch is attached to the frame of the door, to help keep it closed. Door latches fasten the door to other types of surfaces like walls or wooden frames.

Image Source: Adobe Stock

Door latches add security and keep away trespassers. The latches are available in different sizes as per usage. The commonly available types of door latches are:

• Internal Door Latch
• Tubular Latch
• Flat Latch
• Roller Bolt Latch
• Spring Loaded Latch
• External Door Latch
• Sliding Bolt Latch
• Rim Latch
• Hook and Eye Latch
• Chain Latch
• Swing-Bar Latch
• Gravity Latch
• Mortise Latch

To learn more about door latches, click here.

Door handles come in many different types and finishes. Most are easy to install and add the final finishing touch to your home.  The different types of a door handles are:

Image Source: Ironmongery Experts 

1. Lever on backplate handles: Traditional in style, these have a lever and a backplate.
2. Lever on rose handles: These have levers with a square or circular rose.
3. D pull handles: Fitted externally on a door. these come in different designs.
4. Flush pull handles:  Mostly used for sliding doors.
5. Doorknobs: These can be used with latches and locks to add to security.
6. Thumb turns: Used mostly in bathrooms, it bolts in and out of the lock.
7. Cabinet cup handles: Perfect for drawers and cabinets because of the grip they provide.
8. Cabinet pull handles: These add to the design element.

One of the easiest ways to upgrade the design of your space is to select stylish door hardware. With so many designs available, choosing the best door hardware might be confusing.

Image Source: Build

To choose the correct hardware for your doors you have to keep in mind the following factors.

• Choose a style and finish that matches your preferences.
• Measure the door thickness and the backset of the door. The backset is the space between the edge of the door and the hole. A standard backset is 2 3/4 or 2 3/8 inches.
• Select the hardware as per the functionality. Privacy door handles are important for spaces where you want to limit access. You can place dummy knobs for decorative purposes in places that do not require privacy.

Read More >>

According to design experts, it is not necessary to match the main door hardware with the rest of the house. In most cases, you will find that the front door hardware has a different finish compared to the other doors. The fittings used for the front door are chosen as per its design.

Image Source: Hiatt Hardware

It is also recommended to match the hinge colour with the colour palette used in the home decor as the main door is mostly closed and the fittings are only visible from inside the house. 

A door jamb and a door frame are two different things. So, what is a door jamb vs a door frame? A door frame is made of a mix of horizontal and vertical members which are placed on all sides to provide support to a door. A jamb, on the other hand, is a flat surface that runs vertically on each side of the door frame. It is vital to the functioning of the door. This is where the hinges are placed to hang the door, and the striker plate on the opposite side helps you to open, close, and lock your door.

Image Source: WC Manet

The door frame is a combination of parts including the jamb. The parts are:

• Door Jamb
• Mullion
• Head
• Sill
• Casing

Read More >>

A drawer slide is a hardware fitting that allows a drawer to move into and out of the furniture in which it’s installed. Each drawer has a pair of slides fixed to it. When you open a drawer, it will glide along these slides. 6 different drawer slide types are available, namely:

Ball bearing

Image Source: Grass USA

Soft Close

Image Source: Hvpal Hardware

Under-mount

Image Source: Handyman’s Daughter

Side mount

Image Source: CS Hardware

Center mount

Image Source: Ubuy

Roller

Image Source: Hettich

Image Source: Home Woodworker

All drawer slide types have their own pros and cons. Ball bearing slides are inexpensive while under-mount slides are easy to install. Similarly, center-mount slides give a compact look as they stay hidden.

The door hinge is a piece of hardware that connects the door to the frame, allowing it to open and close properly. The strongest type of hinge is the butt hinge. It is designed to provide stability to heavy doors that are commonly used in residential and commercial buildings. These types of door hinges can bear heavy loads up to 120 kgs. These hinges come with two leaves and a knuckle.

Image Source:  GXT Store

The ball bearing hinge (a type of butt hinge) is considered the strongest heavy-duty hinge making it a top choice for entry doors.  These hinges can also be used for doors that are 4 feet wide.

A sliding door is easy to use, but all of its components must be aligned for it to function properly. These doors don’t require any hinges to operate. Also, they do not need extra space for the door arc. To ensure that the door construction is safe, all components should align with the rest. The names of the components of a sliding door are as follows:

Image Source: Hardware Hut

Components of a sliding door

1. Track: The track line should ideally be twice the length of the door to ensure its works effectively. Also, multiple track lines are used when the doors move side-by-side.

2. Brackets: You can choose from wall brackets or soffit brackets. Since the number of brackets is selected on the basis of the track length, check the bracket interval to ensure a perfect fit.

3. Jump Block:

The placement of a cabinet pull in the correct way is aesthetically pleasing and practical. Pulls provide a modern look and are easy to grasp. The 3 different types of cabinet pull and their proper position are described below.

Image Source: Mockett

Selecting the perfect door knob is more than simply a matter of aesthetics. It is important to make sure that the hardware you purchase is of the correct size so that the door can function properly. The standard size for a door knob is a diameter of  2 3/8 inches or 2 3/4 inches and these will fit doors that have a thickness from 1 3/8 inches to 1 3/4 inches.

Image Source: Period Homes

Before purchasing a new door knob you should consider all these standard sizes to ensure a perfect fit. Most door knobs available are adjustable and therefore can fit in with different door sizes.

Door knobs hardware is available in various different designs, and it is essential to choose the right product as per the design scheme of your home. While some people may prefer using the same style of door knobs throughout their home, others may find it redundant and want the knobs to match the interior design of the space. To combat this problem, one can go for a split finish.

The split finish is an ideal technique where your door knob hardware will have the same design as the other ones in your home but the finish will be in accordance with the design of the room. The inside and outside of the door will have the same knob but with a different finish.

Image Source: Corston

While there is no fixed rule as such, it is advised that if your hinges are exposed, they should match your door knobs. Matching door hardware is a designer’s trick to improve your home’s overall aesthetic.

Image Source:  Rocky Canyon Rustic

Although door knobs don’t have to match door hinges, there are several advantages to matching them:

• Gives a uniform look: Matching hardware in a home gives a sense of continuity and increases the aesthetic value.
• More cost-effective: Upgrading door hardware can be quite expensive so it is better to buy in bulk with matching finishes.
• Reflects your personality: An easy way to showcase your personality in a home is by selecting a preferred matching door hardware set.

When deciding whether to select a knob, a pull, or both, there are no hard and fast rules to follow. One smart solution is to use pulls for all kitchen drawer handles and knobs for all cabinet doors. Using a pull to open a drawer is significantly more pleasant. By doing this, you can grab the handle with your entire hand rather than just your fingers. With all of your pots, pans, dishes, etc., drawers may become very heavy, so this is very handy.

Image Source: TriggerPhoto

You can confine yourself to using only pulls or only knobs also. A trend that was seen in many kitchens earlier, is the usage of knobs for all the cabinet handles. In modern kitchens, mostly all pulls are used because of their contemporary look and easy operation.

To learn more about kitchen design, cabinet, and handles, read:

Take hardware finish into serious consideration when working on a new kitchen cabinet or updating an old installation; it could make or break the space! Here is a list of the 5 most common hardware finishes.

1. Polished Brass: Polished Brass is a timeless style with a retro appeal that is currently having a comeback in bathroom decor.
2. Antique Brass: Rich brown tones and a golden glow combine to make antique brass the perfect choice for traditional-styled rooms.
3. Satin Nickel: With warm undertones and gloss, satin nickel has a luxurious feel. It complements stainless steel appliances well, making it a fantastic option for kitchens.
4. Chrome: This finish provides a sleek, contemporary appearance. Its bright, tidy appearance makes it a favourite in bathrooms.
5. Matte Black: Matte Black strikes a balance between traditional and modern design that is both consistently striking and adaptable.