Cabinet hardware can be one of the most difficult things to make a purchase about in your home. Many people are unsure of whether the hardware they purchase will perfectly match their cabinets, or be the kind of cabinet hardware that they will want further down the road. However, there are a couple of things you can do in order to help pick out the right type of cabinet hardware without having any additional problems.
The first thing you need to look at with a cabinet hardware decision is what type of finish you will want on your cabinet hardware. One of the most popular styles is traditional. This style is used by people who are looking for a tried and true look to their kitchen. However, if you are more radical, you may want something that is contemporary and trendy.
How do you want to pull open your cabinet? There are both pulls and knobs that you can use, depending on what you want with your cabinet. Pulls are more bulky, and can affect the appearance of your cabinet. With a knob, less space is taken up and the overall image of the cabinet is not as greatly affected. Additionally, what will be contained within your cabinet will have an effect on the type of cabinet doors (pulls, sliding, etc). Will your cabinet be for storage, or will it contain the typical VCR TV DVD Combo? Consider the cabinet contents when deciding on your cabinet hardware.
With the finish and method of opening decided, now may be the time to get a back plate. A back plate protects the cabinet from any damage by the opening mechanism, and adds an additional bit of decoration to really bring out your cabinets. Back plates are typically used when there is a pull, however, they can be used for knobs as well.
Hinges are the next part of your cabinet hardware journey. You cannot have a cabinet that opens without hinges. Mortise hinges are the type of hinges that have been actually prepared for the cabinet, usually the cabinet is cut to prepare for their installation by the cabinet manufacturer. Non-mortise hinges are fastened in using a screw., and are not typically made for the exact cabinet they are put into.
With cabinets, there are so many more things that can be done. Drawers that slide out, magnetically latch, and have several different types of hinges are all able to be done quite easily. It is important to take a look at all of the options for your cabinet hardware, and chose the type that will match your cabinets best. Do not chose hardware that stands out, or that is nonfunctional!