You may think that the fixtures and hardware are the least important part of your kitchen remodel in Springfield, VA. You’re too busy focusing on appliances, cabinets, countertops, and a million other things. But these little pieces can make or break your new kitchen. Cabinet Discounters, provider of Columbia kitchen cabinets and remodels, discusses why hardware is so important.
The Transformative Power of Fixtures and Hardware
Hardware Finalizes the Style
You may have the perfect kitchen cabinets for your remodel. But the hardware for them is what can bring it all together or completely ruin the look you’re going for. The shape and finish of them can signify the style you’re going for. If you’re looking to have a beautiful farmhouse kitchen but choose extremely modern fixtures, it can throw everything off.
You want to make sure they fit well in the kitchen. For example, if you have a lot of straight lines highlighted in your kitchen, you probably want straight handles as well.
Finishes are important too. You want them to fit with the lighting fixtures, appliances, and other features in your kitchen. If you have stainless steel everywhere, you may want to get stainless steel finishes for your hardware as well.
Plumbing Fixtures Need Style Too
Hardware isn’t the only place that you want to be stylish. What you choose for your plumbing elements and kitchen faucet is important too. Like the hardware, you want the finish to match the other things that are going on in the kitchen. While it doesn’t have to be exact, it’s important that it doesn’t clash with the rest of the things that are in your kitchen.
But They Also Need to Function Well
With hardware, the function is pretty simple. You just need to be able to open up cabinet doors easily. Faucets can have a variety of features that you may want to integrate into your kitchen. Whether you want a simple or high-tech faucet will be something that you’ll have to decide on.
For starters, Moen faucets notably have a Spot Resist finish. This helps with both water spots and fingerprints. This is a good option if you have a lot of little kids running around, coming in from playing, and doing arts and crafts, and using the sink after. Moen is also noted for a finish that’s guaranteed for life.
American Standard and Kohler both have a very wide range of styles for their products to help fit even the most unique kitchen design. American Standard has a limited lifetime warranty available for its products as well. Kohler focuses on features that are simple and easy to use. All their finishes also meet twice the durability standard.
Lastly, we offer Delta faucets. If you’ve seen any of their commercials, you know that they have stylish hardware. They want to give you both maximum style and flexibility with their products. Many of the features on Delta faucets are designed with the user in mind, because they anticipate your needs.
The Right Feel: How Hardware Impacts Your Daily Experience
While style is important, the way your cabinet hardware feels in your hand is something you’ll notice every single day. This is where ergonomics comes into play. The size, shape, and texture of a knob or pull can make your kitchen feel more luxurious and easier to use.
For example, if you or a family member has arthritis or limited hand strength, a large, sturdy pull offers more to grip than a small slippery knob. The texture also matters. A deeply grooved or brushed finish provides more grip than a highly polished, smooth one. Think about how it will feel when your hands are wet or greasy from cooking.
Testing out different styles in a showroom is the best way to find hardware that isn’t just beautiful, but is also a joy to touch and use.
The Perfect Placement: It’s All About Proportion
You’ve picked the perfect hardware, but where do you put it? The placement on your cabinet doors and drawers is a small detail that makes a huge visual difference.
A good rule of thumb is that longer drawers need longer pulls. A massive pantry drawer can handle a bold, 10-inch pull, while a small vanity drawer might only need a 3-inch one. Using pulls that are proportional to the size of the cabinet front creates a balanced and professional look.
For cabinet doors, the placement is usually in the corner. But should it be vertical or horizontal? This often depends on the door’s style. On a tall, shaker-style cabinet door, a vertical pull can emphasize its height and make the room feel taller.
On a wider drawer, a horizontal pull reinforces its width. Your design expert at Cabinet Discounters in Springfield can help you visualize the placement before any holes are drilled. We’ll make sure the final look is cohesive and intentional.
Mixing Metals: A Guide to a Modern, Layered Look
You might have heard that all your metals must match perfectly, but that’s an old-school rule. Today, many designers create a more dynamic and personalized kitchen by mixing two different metal finishes. The key to doing this successfully is to have a plan so the look is intentional, not random.
A simple strategy is to choose one dominant metal and one accent metal. For instance, you might choose brushed nickel for your faucet and cabinet pulls, and then use warm brass for your pendant lights above the island.
To tie everything together, make sure the finishes have a common element. For example, pair metals that are all brushed or matte instead of mixing a brushed nickel with a high-polished chrome. Repeating your accent metal in at least two other places in the kitchen helps the look feel cohesive and thoughtfully designed.
Your Kitchen Cabinets and Remodels in Springfield, VA
At Cabinet Discounters, we’re here to provide everything you need to get the kitchen of your dreams. Call us or request a showroom appointment online!