Decorative hardware is often referred to as the jewelry of the kitchen or bathroom. Whether it is a knob, pull or some other innovative shape, the smaller elements can help the cabinetry stand out as the highlight of these spaces.
On the other end of the spectrum, functional hardware – albeit an often-hidden element in the cabinets – is really the star of the show. Hinges and slides are incorporated to make hard-to-reach corners easier to reach and to provide kitchens and baths with a customized level of accessibility.
In our recent survey on hardware in kitchens and baths, we took a closer look at the desire for integrated and/or statement hardware, custom appliance pulls and pocket doors. We also discovered which finishes are most popular, as well as which accessible decorative and functional hardware options are most specified.
Innovative Hardware Options: Quick Stats
- 6% of kitchen and bath projects in the last year specified soft-close functional hardware
- Matte black is the top K&B cabinet hardware finish, with gold and nickel following closely behind
- Knurled detail is the most coveted type of “statement” hardware for kitchens and baths
- At 65.6%, levers/pulls are the most popular asks for ADA-compliant/accessible hardware options
Fabulous Finishes
When it comes to hardware in the kitchen and bath, matte black was the top choice with 52.4% of respondents. Gold, nickel (polished) and brass (aged, brushed, satin, and lacquered) took second, third and fourth places, respectively. Bronze (brushed and champagne), stainless steel and chrome rounded out the list. Write-in answers included antique silver, pewter, white matte and woodgrain.
For Krista Agapito, director of design and sales at S&W Kitchens in Orlando and Tampa, her clients are requesting black, brushed-bronze finishes and classic brushed or polished nickel to match coordinating fixtures in a space.
This kitchen by Epic Interiors features Hampton Collection cabinet pulls from RK International in matte black, this year’s most popular hardware finish.
Photo credit: Erin Dwyer Photography
Hardware Trends – In or Out?
Some homeowners like a bold statement when it comes to their cabinet hardware, while others believe less is more. Minimalist looks integrated in the cabinetry are catching on gradually on our side of the pond, but still 36.7% of respondents said they did not use this look in any of their kitchen and bath projects over the last year. Only 2.7% said they specified it in all projects.
“We see integrated hardware as an upward trend and use it in 50% of our projects,” said Jeannine Bogart, owner and principal designer of Epic Interiors in Evanston, Ill. “One current project is a loft space, and the others is a historic Arts & Crafts home. We love mixing the genres by bringing in the minimalism.”
When it comes to “statement” cabinetry hardware, the most popular choices in the kitchen and bath were knurled details (42-46%) and glass options (31-40%). Wood and leather materials, fun shapes, bold colors and acrylic pieces rounded out the list for statement hardware options, and other choices included gemstones; oversized knobs and pulls; faux, two-tone and metal finishes and rhinestone accents.
Personalization is always a top wish list item in today’s kitchens, but custom appliance pulls are not yet quite following suit. A third of our respondents said they did not specify these in any of their projects in the last 12 months, and only 5.5% said they did in all of them.
The same can be said for pocket, sliding or barn doors in the kitchen or bath. About 60% of designers incorporated this into their projects over the last year, while only .7% said they specified this type of hardware in all projects.
“Pocket doors – though they can be limiting in small spaces where you need to hang cabinets or add a showerhead – have more privacy than decorative bard doors, which leave a small gap between the wall and the door,” said Agapito.
This modern and eclectic mix of rectangular gold, rectangular “nugget” knobs and crescentshaped, brushed-gold pulls make this key drop area designed by S&W Kitchens a real statement piece. It even has round hooks for purses. Photo credit: Rickie Agapito of AOFOTOS
All-Access Innovative Hardware Options
When it comes to decorative and functional hardware features that fit the bill for the most accessible and ADA-compliant kitchen and bath projects, levers/pulls were the most specified over the last year. Integrated lighting came in at a close second, while push-type mechanisms, pull-down shelves and D-shaped pulls all came in around third place. U-shaped handles and motorized counter heights rounded out the list, while grab bars was the only write-in answer.
Tomato, Tomahto
Our survey asked respondents how they feel about the measurement gap between European (metric/mm) and U.S. (imperial/inches) when specifying functional hardware. While some appreciate having both options and report that a lot of hardware brands give both dimensions, others say they must make the necessary conversions for contractors. Design professionals should always use a conversion chart to ensure the correct proportions. Other challenges with this measurement gap include parts not matching the available drill bit sizes, reusing cabinet doors with pre-determined holes and when retrofitting hardware.
“It often feels like an unnecessary step to the process, and our goal is always to simplify things for the builder,” said one respondent. “It can definitely cause frustration since it requires constant conversions and double-checking.”
Advances in Hardware
When asked about innovations seen over the last 12 months, many respondents noted a variety in colors, textures and shapes, including warm woods, mixed metals and other materials, leather cup pulls, C-curved or finger pulls and handles that match the cabinets. In terms of function, push-to-open, foot pedal and swivel options; sliding hardware that allows for cabinetry or countertop cladding; self-close capabilities; fingerprint locking pulls; sliding hardware integrated into the door; and reverse hinges to create an inward swing were all noted.
Whether the belle of the ball in the kitchen and bath or as more of a backstage role behind the scenes, decorative and functional cabinet hardware has come a long way. Clients can choose simple – even hidden – or bolder looks for decorative options, and the possibilities are endless when it comes to truly customizing a space and making it more accessible.
