5 Tips to Follow When Choosing Your Cabinet Hardware

Think about the best kitchens you have seen. Chances are it was a clever or sophisticated detail that caught your eye and made it memorable. Something unique that you hadn’t seen a thousand times before.

While every kitchen relies on appliances, bench space, and storage to perform, it’s the finishes and fixtures that create personality and atmosphere. Whether your kitchen is a hub for family gatherings, a creative cooking space to experiment with your favourite recipes, or a design showpiece, the hardware you choose plays a key role.

Beyond its practical application, the hardware you choose acts as the jewellery for your joinery. Yes, it’s important to get the ergonomics, functionality and ease of cleaning right. The best hardware combines this functionality with beautiful aesthetics. As something you touch each day, investing in luxury cabinet handles will elevate your cabinetry beyond the ordinary.

1.      1. Consider your overall aesthetic

Whether it’s modern farmhouse, classic, mid-century or sleek contemporary, don’t make your handles an afterthought, or worse, a clash with your interiors and joinery style.

2.      2. Prioritise functionality

 There’s nothing worse than a handle that catches on your clothing every time you brush past, which can happen with some styles that protrude further than the screw location. If you have young children, consider a curved handle that eliminates the risk of sharp edges causing injury. Finally, consider ease of cleaning – handles with a smoother finish are easier to clean and maintain than highly textured ones.

3.     3. Size matters.

For a cohesive, high-end appearance, match handle size to cabinetry scale.

-          Small drawers pair well with knobs or short pulls.

-          Larger cupboards and drawers suit longer handles.

-          Oversized pulls (up to 300mm) are ideal for integrated appliances.

Keep sizing consistent across similar cabinetry types to maintain balance and visual harmony.

4. Choose finishes that suit your style

There’s a wide range of finishes available — from classic chrome and nickel to warmer brass and bronze tones, which are currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Consider the mood and style of your kitchen:

• Polished nickel suits contemporary or modern Hamptons styles.
• Matte black adds contrast and works beautifully in industrial designs.
• Brass and gold tones bring warmth to minimalist, Japandi, or traditional kitchens.
• Dark bronze adds depth to farmhouse or eclectic styles.

 

 5. Mix metals thoughtfully

While many people match their handles to tapware and fixtures, mixing complementary metals can add character and depth. Choose one dominant finish and a secondary accent tone — but limit yourself to no more than three finishes in one space.

When planning your palette, consider all the metal elements in the room, including:

• Tapware
• Sinks
• Handles and knobs
• Appliances (ovens, cooktops, fridges, dishwashers)

Many fittings such as sinks can now be obtained in black, white or other colours, or you can incorporate integrated appliances to limit the amount of metal tones in the room.

 

At Trego, we offer a range of high-quality cabinetry. Our team of design enthusiasts are  always happy to help you select pieces that suit your home, lifestyle, and vision.

We hope this guide inspires you to create a kitchen or bathroom that feels as good as it looks.