6 Tips: Adding Gold Hardware To Kitchen Cabinets

jaelprothro@comcast.net

3 years ago

I had been wanting to warm up our white kitchen cabinets by adding gold hardware for a long time. So, I finally decided to take the plunge. But I had no idea how many “golds” there would be! Trying to decide between brushed brass, bronze, polished or lacquered gold, and champagne bronze was making me want to pull my hair out!! And then there were all of the different styles too – ugh! So I wanted to share some tips with you in case you’re also feeling overwhelmed. Let’s get to it! 6 Tips: Adding Gold Hardware To Kitchen Cabinets.

Our Reveal, Before & After, & Shopping Links at end of the post!

New Post (part 2) is Ready – with all of my Favorite Picks!

Best Gold & Champagne Bronze Hardware

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6 Tips: Adding Gold Hardware To Kitchen Cabinets

Since we just gave our kitchen a little hardware makeover (lol), I wanted to share some tips with you that I learned along the way.

And I really mean a-LONG way…. because this was a one-MONTH long ordeal!!
But I love how the new gold hardware updated our kitchen, and hope you will love your new hardware update also!

FYI: I know you probably already know some of these tips/steps that are mentioned, but hopefully there’s some new info for you too!

And of course – it’s your kitchen, so feel free to use what works best for you!

Let’s get to the 6 Tips: Adding Gold Hardware To Kitchen Cabinets!

6 Tips: Adding Gold Hardware To Kitchen Cabinets

6 Tips:

Count & Measure Your Knobs/Handles/Pulls
Choose Your Color
Choose Your Style
Test & Label Your Knobs
Choose Your Brand(s)
Buy Your Knobs Wisely

6 Tips: Adding Gold Hardware To Kitchen Cabinets

Tip #1: Count & Measure Your Knobs/Handles/Pulls

This tip probably sounds unusual to begin with, but it actually sets the stage for the entire process.

Count all of your knobs/handles/pulls that you will need – in total.
Then count them – individually.

Quantity Matters

How many knobs + handles/pulls do you need?

In our kitchen we needed:

22 knobs + 26 handles/pulls = 48 Total

Measurements Matter

What sizes do you need?

Unfortunately (ugh) we needed 5 different sizes, but to make it look better – actually 6 sizes.

It’s good to know the quantity and measurements at the beginning (so you have an idea of what you’ll need) when you start your search.

6 Tips: Adding Gold Hardware To Kitchen Cabinets

Tip #2: Choose Your Color

Just in case you haven’t noticed, NOT all golds are the same – lol!

Color Matters

Some are yellow-toned, some are brown-toned, some are orange-toned.
Some are even rose gold or more copper (but still listed as gold).

You’ll learn more about this in Tip #5: Testing.

Tip #3: Choose Your Style

Now it’s time to choose the size, shape, and style that you like.

Size & Shape Matter

Round or square knobs? Small or Large?
Curved handles, t-bar, or cup pulls?
Sleek & simple or beveled & intricate?
Traditional, transitional, modern, cottage, or farmhouse?

Here are some examples of “straight rectangular” style handles – one sleek, one beveled.

Tip #4: Choose Your Brand/(s)

So by this time you are feeling pretty good about yourself. 😉

You have searched for colors and styles – and think you have a good idea of what you want….
Until you start ordering some samples to test out and realize that some brands only carry “specific” sizes.
But you may luck out because your kitchen only needs 2 sizes (or maybe you decide to keep things simple) – and then you are actually “golden” – literally – lol!!

More about brands in Tip #5: Testing.

Options Available Matters

We needed 6 different sizes (like mentioned above), and this made it very challenging to find “similar” knobs/handles/pulls – all in the same color!

Tip #5: Test & Label Your Knobs

This is the most important part of the process – testing all of the knobs/handle/pulls – in your kitchen – BEFORE you commit.

Why is this so important?

Well, sometimes a knob or handle looks great, but doesn’t function like you want.

Does the knob stick out too far?
Is the handle not deep enough for your hand to grab it easily?
Is the knob too small to grab onto?
Does your clothes get caught onto the handle as you walk by?
Are the edges too sharp on the corners?
Do some handles work on the upper cabinets, but not as well on the lower cabinets?

Testing Matters

So the actual handle that I started with (to test), is the handle we chose (yes, the family voted – LOL)!

But this testing allowed us to compare it with all of the other “possibilities.”

Test Different Colors

I also highly recommend testing a couple different “gold” shades because you never know which color looks the best in your kitchen.

I always thought I wanted either gold or brass – until I saw the champagne bronze.

Test Different Styles & Sizes

And even though I liked the cleaner, straight lines of the handle we ended up choosing, I bought a couple other styles – just to make for sure.

Testing sizes also helped me pay more attention to the measurements of length – even on the round knobs.

The small round knob on the left below stuck out a little too far & caught on our clothing.
And both of the knobs helped me choose a different knob with a wider base.
Otherwise I would have had to retouch paint on every.single.knob. NO thank you!

Test Different Brand/(s)

It is also good to buy a couple different brands as well.

All “champagne bronze” colors – are not exactly the same.
You might end up liking another style/brand more than the one you “think” you like!

I really fell in love with this one below (on top 2 drawers)…. but it didn’t come in all of the different sizes we needed – ugh!!

Label Your Knobs

This is the best tip I can give you for the entire post – label and record each knob/handle you test out.

It helps you narrow down what you really like (too champagne, too orange, too small, etc.).
And helps you keep the correct knobs in the correct packages – for returning – trust me!!