The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Kitchen Cabinet Hardware

Kitchen cabinetry is an integral part of your space. However, with hardware being the primary touchpoint between you and your cabinetry, it is just as important, and therefore the pieces you select should be equally functional and beautiful.

In our almost century-long history of designing and manufacturing the finest solid brass hardware, ‘How do I choose the right hardware for my kitchen?’ is a question we hear repeatedly at Armac Martin. With so many different options to explore, from pulls and knobs to T-bar styles and more, we’re pleased to share our expertise with you to make choosing your kitchen cabinet hardware an effortless and enjoyable process.

Project by Laura Butler-Madden | Features our Sutton and Cotswold collections & Brindley Hanging Wine Glass Rack, all in our aged brass (BEL) finish.

Choosing your kitchen cabinet hardware begins with identifying the aesthetic you hope to achieve within your kitchen. This will enable you to select styles that work in harmony with your chosen design. For example, organic-inspired designs such as our Oldbury or Cotswold collections are an excellent choice if you desire classic shaker cabinetry. If you opt for contemporary cabinetry design, linear styles that feature sleek details, such as our Barwick or Digbeth collection, will elevate the overall look.

Project by Well By Design and Brooks & Falotico | Photography by Caroline Sharpnack | Features our Latchford and Longbridge collections, both in our aged brass (BEL) finish.

When you begin to explore choosing your kitchen cabinet hardware, we recommend first getting to know the different kitchen hardware types available; this will give you a feel for the intended purpose and the expected form of each design.

Once you’re familiar with the main kitchen hardware styles, you can then identify the pieces that will be most suitable within your space.

Kitchen cabinet pull handles

These are cabinet handles designed to be pulled to open doors or drawers, and there are several styles to choose from, including classic pull handles, recessed designs, finger pulls, and cup pulls.

Cabinet pull handles can be placed vertically and horizontally; as a general rule, they sit vertically for doors and horizontally for drawers.

Some of our pull handles are available with a backplate to add real impact to a scheme, particularly if a different finish is chosen for the backplate and hardware.

Project by Lori Paranjape | Photography by Amy Lamb, Native House Photography | Features our Digbeth collection in our aged brass (BEL) finish.

Kitchen cabinet knobs

Like cabinet handles, cabinet knobs are also designed to be pulled open. These come in a wide array of shapes and sizes, from classic bun and mushroom knobs to minimal modern styles in square designs.

Some of our cabinet knobs are also available with the addition of a backplate to add additional visual appeal to your cabinetry.

Kitchen cabinet T-bar handles

As the name suggests, T-bar handles are shaped like the letter ‘T’. These provide excellent grip to open smaller cabinets and drawers where other handle styles may be too large.

Project by Sophie Paterson Interiors | Photography by Ray Main | Features our Grove collection in our satin antique satin lacquered (SAS) finish.

Kitchen cabinet appliance pulls

Similar to kitchen cabinet pull handles, appliance pulls are designed to withstand the weight of integrated appliances like fridge freezers and dishwashers.

Our appliance pulls mirror the same design as pull handles within each collection with slightly different proportions to ensure your hardware choices flow impeccably.

Project by McCroskey Interiors | Photography by Nate Sheets | Features our MIX & Latchford collections in our aged brass (BEL) finish.

Kitchen cupboard latches

The premise of a cupboard latch is to act as a mechanised piece of hardware that allows for cupboard doors to be securely closed whilst also adding the perfect finishing touch to any scheme.

Project by Rachael Somerville Interiors | Photography by Handover UK | Features our Cotswold collection in our aged brass (BEL) finish.

Follow our step-by-step guide to choosing the right cabinet hardware for your kitchen:

1. Understand your kitchen aesthetic

Consider the style of your cabinetry and the rest of your kitchen decor. Do you want hardware that complements the design, or do you want to create a contrast? Either way, your kitchen hardware should create a cohesive feel throughout the space.

2. Assess your cabinetry

Count how many pieces of hardware you'll need and note whether these are for cabinet doors or drawers. Cabinet handles and appliance pulls suit cupboards and integrated items such as fridges and dishwashers, whereas knobs or T-bars work well for drawers.

If your kitchen cabinetry requires a combination of hardware pieces, choose a hardware collection that features each of the various product types and offers varying sizes to ensure a united look is achieved throughout your whole space.

3. Determine sizing

Once you’ve decided on the different hardware pieces you need, consider the sizing of each - many of our cabinet hardware designs come in various size options. Some pieces are also designed with the option of an additional backplate to frame each piece.

4. Find your finish

The final step is to select your brass hardware finish. The finishes throughout your entire kitchen design scheme should be considered to inform your choice. Evaluate all the other functional details, like tapware and lighting, to see the different finishes you have within your space.

You may want your hardware to stand out in a contrasting finish or opt for a single finish for all fixtures and fittings. For some designs, when you have a mix of finishes in your space, our innovative MIX collection gives you more control over the design as you can mix and match finishes.

When selecting your kitchen hardware finish, it’s essential to decide whether you want unlacquered living finishes that will develop a beautiful patina as they age or whether you prefer plated or lacquered finishes that offer levels of protection.

To see our portfolio of luxurious brass finishes, we are pleased to offer sample finish chips available for order so you can experience the various finish tones and textures in person.

Now you are equipped with the knowledge to choose your kitchen cabinet hardware and accessories, all that’s left to do is explore to find your perfect pieces.