When designing a kitchen with white cabinets, one of the most important design considerations is choosing hardware that complements the crisp, clean look. The hardware finish you choose will make a major impact on the overall style of the space. There are several hardware finishes that work well with white kitchen cabinets, depending on the look you are trying to achieve.
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Brushed Nickel
Brushed nickel is a popular choice for hardware to pair with white kitchen cabinets because it has a soft, understated look. The brushed finish adds visual interest without competing with the white cabinetry. Brushed nickel hardware comes in a range of designs, from simple bar pulls to more ornate knobs. It works equally well in traditional and contemporary kitchens.
The cool silvery tones of brushed nickel complement white cabinets nicely. Brushed nickel also works well with stainless steel appliances, lighting fixtures, and metal accents. It can help unify these metallic finishes throughout the kitchen design. The finish is versatile enough to work with many other materials and colors as well, including granite countertops, subway tile backsplashes, and painted accent walls.
Benefits of Brushed Nickel Hardware
- Understated, neutral look
- Versatile for traditional and contemporary designs
- Complements stainless steel appliances
- Coordinates with varied materials and colors
Matte Black
For a more dramatic, high-contrast look, matte black hardware is an excellent match for white kitchen cabinets. The deep black finish looks bold against the clean white cabinetry. Matte black has a flattened finish that absorbs light, creating a rich, velvety effect.
Matte black hardware can create a sophisticated, contemporary kitchen design. It works best with other dark accents like black countertops or floors. You can also temper the strong black accents with warm metals, natural wood tones, and pops of color. Matte black knobs and pulls make a stylish statement and add dimension to simple white cabinetry.
Benefits of Matte Black Hardware
- High-contrast, dramatic look
- Sleek, modern style
- Rich, velvety finish
- Complements dark countertops
Oil-Rubbed Bronze
For a more traditional kitchen design, oil-rubbed bronze offers a handsome vintage look. The dark brown finish has depth and dimension that pairs nicely with crisp white cabinets. Oil-rubbed bronze developing a patina over time that adds to the antique character.
The warm, earthy tones of oil-rubbed bronze balance out the stark white cabinets. It can help create a welcoming, homey aesthetic. Intricate bronze pull designs with an aged, timeworn look complement traditional styled cabinetry. Oil-rubbed bronze works well with natural materials like granite, marble, and wood accents.
Benefits of Oil-Rubbed Bronze Hardware
- Vintage, antique look
- Warm, earthy finish
- Develops patina over time
- Complements traditional kitchen designs
Chrome
For a sleek, contemporary kitchen, chrome hardware is a perfect match for white cabinets. The high-shine, mirrored finish looks clean and modern against the bright white cabinetry. Chrome has a lighter, silvery tone compared to brushed nickel that pairs well with white.
Chrome hardware comes in a range of modern, minimalist styles that complement contemporary kitchen designs. Simple bar pulls or straight, rectangular handles in chrome have an ultra-modern look. The reflective finish adds eye-catching brilliance and pairs nicely with other shiny surfaces and metals.
Benefits of Chrome Hardware
- Sleek, modern style
- Bright, mirrored finish
- Eye-catching brilliance
- Pairs well with other metals
Antique Bronze
For a more eclectic, vintage-inspired kitchen, antique bronze hardware brings out the distressed charm against white cabinets. The mottled dark brown finish has depth and patina that creates an aged, timeworn look.
Antique bronze hardware comes in traditional designs like wrought iron pulls and intricate knobs. The dark bronze pops against the clean white cabinets and adds an extra layer of texture. You can accent with other reclaimed or salvaged materials to complement the antique bronze hardware.
Benefits of Antique Bronze Hardware
- Distressed, vintage look
- Aged, timeworn finish
- Traditional, intricate designs
- Complements salvaged accents
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel hardware brings a sleek industrial edge to white kitchen cabinets. The silvery tone and subtle sheen pair nicely with the clean white cabinetry. Stainless steel has a lighter tone than brushed nickel that complements the bright white.
Simple stainless steel bar pulls or handles have a streamlined, contemporary look. Matching the hardware finish to stainless steel appliances can create a unified, modern style. Stainless steel works well in industrial inspired kitchens with concrete accents and black stainless steel appliances.
Benefits of Stainless Steel Hardware
- Sleek, industrial style
- Matches stainless appliances
- Subtle sheen
- Streamlined, contemporary designs
Gold
For a touch of glamour and sophistication, gold hardware shines against white kitchen cabinets. The warm, buttery gold tones create an elegant contrast against the crisp white. Polished gold in a champagne finish pairs beautifully with white.
Ornate gold hardware featuring filigree or crystal accents can lend a luxurious, opulent look. Gold works well in traditional kitchens, creating an upscale aesthetic. You can also use matte gold hardware for a more subtle, on-trend look. Gold pairs nicely with marble counters and glass cabinet accents.
Benefits of Gold Hardware
- Luxurious, glamorous look
- Warm, buttery finish
- Elegant contrast to white
- Traditional or contemporary styles
Copper
Copper hardware brings a warmth and vibrancy to white kitchen cabinets. The soft orangey-pink tone complements the crisp white beautifully. Solid copper or antique copper with a verdigris patina both pair nicely with white.
Copper hardware comes in traditional hammered pulls and modern tubular styles. The finish adds a pop of color without overwhelming an all-white kitchen. Copper pairs well with light granite or quartz counters for contrast. Use copper accents and fixtures to tie the look together.
Benefits of Copper Hardware
- Warm, vibrant finish
- Verdigris patina effect
- Traditional or contemporary styles
- Pops against white cabinets
Conclusion
The hardware finish you choose for white kitchen cabinets makes a big impact on the overall style of the space. Matte black and chrome have an ultra-modern look, while oil-rubbed bronze and antique bronze lean traditional. For something in between, popular choices like brushed nickel, stainless steel, and copper offer versatility.
The key is choosing hardware that complements the white cabinets rather than blends in. Go for finishes with contrasting tones and visual interest. Stay away from white, silver, or nickel that match too closely. The hardware should provide accent to the white cabinetry without competing too much. Consider the overall kitchen design and style you want to achieve.
With so many options, you can find beautiful hardware finishes to complete your white kitchen cabinets. Just keep in mind the look you want and choose hardware that enhances the crisp, clean lines of those bright white cabinets.
| Hardware Finish | Style | Tone | Texture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brushed Nickel | Traditional or Contemporary | Silvery, Cool | Brushed |
| Matte Black | Contemporary | Deep, Velvety | Matte |
| Oil-Rubbed Bronze | Traditional | Warm, Earthy | Textured |
| Chrome | Contemporary | Silvery, Bright | Mirrored |
| Antique Bronze | Traditional | Dark, Distressed | Weathered |
| Stainless Steel | Contemporary | Silvery, Sleek | Smooth |
| Gold | Traditional or Contemporary | Warm, Buttery | Polished or Matte |
| Copper | Traditional or Contemporary | Warm, Vibrant | Smooth or Textured |