How to Select the Ideal Cabinet Hardware for a Contemporary Kitchen

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One of the biggest enemies of a clean kitchen lies in careless cabinet hardware selection. Apart from choosing a gaudy color or ill-fitting shape, the one detail that can make or break the look of a cabinet door actually is the humble piece of hardware that is chosen to open and close it. From round knobs to long pulls and magnetic mechanisms, there’s a world of choices to make when it comes to honing in on the perfect hardware for kitchen cabinets. Some can stick out like a sore thumb, while others can be completely invisible.

As latches like these are elements that people come into contact with every day — literally gripping them for support or activating them with a gentle nudge — architects should keep both aesthetics and functionality in mind when specifying these seemingly simple components. To help you as you search for kitchen hardware, here are a few savvy choices that fit well with modern clean spaces; ones that, even when situated in repetitive rows, won’t take attention away from sleek cabinetry design:

Image via Louise Ansay

Hidden or Edge Pull

For easy access to below-counter drawers and cabinets with minimal aesthetic impact, hidden pulls can be a great option. They’re usually attached to the top edge of each door and designed as small slivers of metal that jut out of the flush portion. They are designed to be largely concealed by the work surface above, forming a subtle lip that does not deter from the material and design of the cabinetry itself.

Push Latch

With the magic of a gentle touch, push latches can easily open a door via a mechanical or magnetic device installed on the inside of the cabinet. Well-engineered push latches are satisfying to open and close and evoke a controlled slow-motion effect as they fall back into place, leaving the door perfectly flush with the adjacent cabinets.

Via Houzz

Integrated Handles

Ultra-sleek cabinets might include integrated handles with an inwardly beveled edge that’s easy for fingertips to wrap around. The recessed gap present between the stacked cabinets or drawers can be accentuated with a different paint or metallic band for added attention.

Via HGTV

Bar Pulls, Flat Bar Pulls and Cutout Flat Bar Pulls

Unlike the minimal mechanisms listed above, bar pulls are statement-making pieces of hardware. Often running as long as possible on flat-panel cabinet doors or drawers, they give off an industrial and science lab–like appeal. One of the most popular bar pull options features ends that stick out past the screw holes attached to the cabinet.

For a more streamlined look, flat bar pulls are also attractive and work well with horizontal wood grain and long drawers. Cutout flat bar pulls are typically smaller in size and are designed as both a functional and decorative element. Some are designed to be as long as a four-fingered grip.

Recessed Pulls

Recessed Pulls mimic the utilitarian style of traditional office cabinetry. They’re built into the cabinet door and can be crafted from the same material to blend in or a contrasting material to highlight their presence. They’re also great for high-traffic kitchens because they don’t protrude from the doors, meaning there is little risk of them snagging on clothing.

Via Curbed

Picking the perfect cabinets for a project is hard enough, but the effort it takes to research, test and finally decide on the best piece of outward-facing cabinet hardware calls for even further inspection. While the main material for the cabinet door heavily contributes to a kitchen’s character, its hardware serves to accentuate that character further still. A key detail within one of the most important spaces of a residence, cabinet hardware sits squarely at the intersection of form and function, and making the right choice here can elevate the design of the entire kitchen.

Architizer's A+Product Awards is open for submissions, with the Extended Entry Deadline fast approaching on Friday, February 23rd. Get your products in front of the AEC industry’s most renowned designers by submitting today.

 

Header image via Euro Kitchens & Bath