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Remodeling Guide

Remodeling Home
Remodeling Intro
Kitchen Colors
Kitchen Styles
Kitchen Layouts
Designing around Limitations
Tips for Hiring a Contractor
Shopping for Accessories
A Feng Shui Kitchen
Kitchen Redo For Less
Fireplace Accessory Info
Preparing Your Fireplace
Designing a Home Bar
Increase Kitchen Storage
Organize Your Laundry Room
Creating Your Own Wine Cellar
Bathroom Storage Options
Kitchen Islands and Kitchen Carts
Accessorizing Your Bathroom
Outdoor Living
Outdoor Kitchens
Cabinet Hardware
Kitchen Sinks and Faucets
Bathroom Ventilation
Create Your Own Mudroom
Baker's Racks
Keeping Trash in Order
Bathroom Sinks and Faucets
Father's Day Gifts
Feng Shui For the Garden
A 4th of July Celebration
Choose the Right Bar Stool
Choosing a Countertop
Pot Racks
Range Hoods
Choosing a Bath Vanity
Turn Your Closet Into a Pantry
Cabinet Lighting
Installing a Bathroom Fan
Choosing a Medicine Cabinet
Outdoor Fireplaces
Built-In Ironing Boards
Lazy Susans

  
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Cabinet Hardware
 by Shannon McMahon Bruchal

Cabinet hardware is an accessory that is often overlooked in today's kitchens and bathrooms, yet it is 
the easiest element in the room to update, and by far the most expressive.  You don't need a builder or a contractor to install it.  A simple change of knobs and pulls in your kitchen or bathroom can alter the whole mood of the room in minutes. Cabinet hardware is a functional and personal design component that can unite the various styles in the room.

There are no real rules for choosing cabinet hardware. Many people do like to match the finish of their knobs and pulls with that of their faucet to create a coordinated look.  Let your own sense of style along with the design of the room help you determine what kind of cabinet hardware works best for you. Knobs aren't just round anymore, they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. In addition to regular pulls, there are cup pulls (also called bin pulls), bail pulls, both of which are made for drawers, and pendant pulls, which consist of a backplate with a ring attached to it. The cup pull is shaped like a half circle and has a hollow space for your fingers. Bail pulls have a backplate on both ends where the bail is mounted. Bails can be movable or stationary.  Backplates sit behind the knob or pull and can add an extra bit of  color to your cabinets. When replacing pulls, make sure you measure the distance between the holes made for the old pulls before you decide on a design -- there are different sizes -- ordering incorrectly could be a costly mistake. 

The choices for cabinet hardware these days are endless. From sleek and simple to elegant and elaborate, there are thousands of designs on the market.  You can use cabinet hardware to introduce an accent color in your kitchen, or to compliment your wood cabinets. If your house has a rustic feel, consider knobs and pulls in primitive shapes with antiqued finishes. Mission style cabinet hardware adds texture, with its rich finishes and hammered designs. Contemporary and modern kitchens and baths shine with cabinet knobs and handles of stainless steel in streamlined forms.  Crystal knobs make a refined, elegant statement, while materials like ceramic and Corian® and wood have an earthy, understated feel.  

Your cabinet hardware can reflect your interests and hobbies. Show your love for golf with knobs shaped like a golf ball.  Orchestrate nautical items in a room with a set of lighthouse cabinet hardware. Kicky cowboy boot knobs suggest you'd rather be riding the range. Showcase what you collect  --  chances are there's cabinet hardware out there that represents your interests.  If you're into art, try using knobs and pulls that appeal to your sense of design and color.  Decorative hardware that combines metal and semi-precious stones creates the look of fine jewelry. Knobs with a wood base and metal accents have a multidimensional effect. 

Like jewelry for the home, cabinet hardware has the ability to change the atmosphere of any room. With so many choices, there's no doubt you'll find the right knobs and pulls to express your personality and taste.