The quickest way to lose the new look of your cabinetry is to open your doors and drawers by pulling directly on the wood rather than using pulls and knobs. That’s because the oils on your hands will damage the finish over time. The right knobs and pulls also make it easy to open and close your cabinet doors and drawers as you focus on working in your kitchen.
Hardware in some ways is the jewelry of your cabinetry. It adds a bit of shine and connects your cabinets to other metallic elements such as lighting, faucets, bath hardware and decorative accessories. The right hardware can provide the finishing touch to a cabinetry installation. And if you’re looking for a quick and inexpensive way to update your cabinets, consider upgrading hardware. With one visit to your local big box store or design center and an afternoon with a screwdriver, your kitchen or bathroom can have a whole new look.
When you’re choosing the right hardware for your home, keep these things in mind:
Hinges: The type of hinge you want depends upon the type of door you have. The three basic types of doors each require different hinges.
Flush doors: These doors are set into their frames so that doors and frames are evenly matched.
Inset doors: Part of these doors is set into the frame of the cabinet and part overlaps the outside of the cabinet box.
Overlay doors: Doors are flat in the back and set against the front of the cabinet box.
Hinges can vary from completely hidden to adding a decorative element in a cabinet. Your selection depends upon the type of door and your personal preference. Here are your choices.
Maintaining your Cabinet Hardware: