How to Choose Cabinet Hardware

Cabinet hardware is the jewelry of the kitchen and bath — the fastest, most affordable way to change how a room feels. This guide walks through every decision, from knobs versus pulls to measuring center-to-center and choosing a finish that lasts.

1. Decide between knobs, pulls, or both
Knobs work best on cabinet doors and smaller drawers; pulls are easier to grip on wider or heavier drawers. There's no rule against mixing — a very common, designer-favorite look is knobs on doors and pulls on drawers, all in one finish.
2. Measure center-to-center for pulls
Center-to-center (c-c) is the distance between the centers of a pull's two mounting holes. If you're replacing existing pulls, measure that spacing and match it so you reuse the same holes. Buying new? Pick a c-c proportional to the drawer width. Appliance pulls for refrigerators and panel-ready dishwashers run larger — commonly 8 to 18 inches c-c.
3. Choose a finish that coordinates
Match your hardware to nearby fixtures — faucet, lighting, and appliances. Popular finishes include matte black, brushed gold, satin brass, polished and brushed nickel, polished chrome, and oil-rubbed bronze. Finishes look different in person and under your lighting, so on qualifying Top Knobs and Atlas knobs and pulls you can order a finish sample before committing.
4. Match the style to your cabinets
Shaker and transitional kitchens pair well with bar and cup pulls; modern flat-panel cabinets suit sleek edge or tab pulls; traditional cabinets work with ornate knobs and backplates. Keep one finish consistent across the room, and consider backplates to dress up plain door fronts or cover existing holes.
5. Count your hardware and order a little extra
Count every door and drawer, then add a spare or two in case of a damaged or dropped piece. Order from a single collection so finishes match exactly. Orders over $99 ship free in the continental US, and decorative hardware carries easy 30-day returns.

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1. Decide between knobs, pulls, or both

Knobs work best on cabinet doors and smaller drawers; pulls are easier to grip on wider or heavier drawers. There's no rule against mixing — a very common, designer-favorite look is knobs on doors and pulls on drawers, all in one finish.

2. Measure center-to-center for pulls

Center-to-center (c-c) is the distance between the centers of a pull's two mounting holes. If you're replacing existing pulls, measure that spacing and match it so you reuse the same holes. Buying new? Pick a c-c proportional to the drawer width. Appliance pulls for refrigerators and panel-ready dishwashers run larger — commonly 8 to 18 inches c-c.

3. Choose a finish that coordinates

Match your hardware to nearby fixtures — faucet, lighting, and appliances. Popular finishes include matte black, brushed gold, satin brass, polished and brushed nickel, polished chrome, and oil-rubbed bronze. Finishes look different in person and under your lighting, so on qualifying Top Knobs and Atlas knobs and pulls you can order a finish sample before committing.

4. Match the style to your cabinets

Shaker and transitional kitchens pair well with bar and cup pulls; modern flat-panel cabinets suit sleek edge or tab pulls; traditional cabinets work with ornate knobs and backplates. Keep one finish consistent across the room, and consider backplates to dress up plain door fronts or cover existing holes.

5. Count your hardware and order a little extra

Count every door and drawer, then add a spare or two in case of a damaged or dropped piece. Order from a single collection so finishes match exactly. Orders over $99 ship free in the continental US, and decorative hardware carries easy 30-day returns.