Handles, Knobs & Pulls: Cathedral, Arched, Flat or Shaker Cabinets
Are you looking for ideas to update your kitchen or bathroom cabinets without spending a fortune? Or maybe you’ve ALREADY spent a fortune on your space and NOW you want to save! Regardless of whether you’re starting your journey or ending it, this kitchen hardware will give you some major bang for buck (non-street-corner style – sorry to disappoint).
The first thing you need to do is figure out what type of cabinets you’re working with…
SHAKER STYLE CABINETS
CAN BE A VARIETY OF WOODS INCLUDING OAK, MAPLE, PINE, OR CHERRY
This type of cabinet has a square/rectangle door profile with a ‘frame’ around it. It can be fresh outta the 80s oak or a simple recessed maple panel, but the great thing about this profile is that it’s super timeless (it’s usually the finish of the cabinet that gives its age away).
There are shaker styles that have more detail and some that have less. Some have a raised panel with a bit of detail, and some have a flat recessed panel. Regardless, the MAIN idea is that your door panel has a square or rectangular-shaped ‘frame’ around it.
ARCHED & CATHEDRAL STYLE CABINETS
USUALLY OAK OR MAPLE
Of the two, arched is an easier style to update than the cathedral style. Arched is just a bit more subtle, a bit less…churchy. Cathedral-style cabinets are trickier to update as their shape is much more pronounced (passive-aggressive word for dated). In this case, regardless of the finish (wood or painted), it’s the STYLE of the cabinet that gives its age away. And while most of us get curves as we age, these aren’t the type of curves that are easy to camouflage.
And I’m not trying to be mean, I’m trying to be realistic so that I can help you embrace what you have and make the best choices moving forward (I swear)!
Left: Double Cathedral / Right: Single Arch
There is a single arch and double arch, a single cathedral and double cathedral and curse thee who has the double cathedral. The DC is just a bugger to update as its style is hard-pressed to step out of the ’80s UNLESS you want a more country look.
Should You Paint Your Wood Cabinets or Leave Them Stained – A QUESTIONNAIRE
But I digress; let’s stay on track here and start looking at hardware…
Let’s Give it a Name – Transitional
When I’m hardware shopping for clients who want to update their kitchen cabinets, I’m looking for styles that transition the cabinets from where they currently are to a more updated, modern version. I want flexible hardware, that can nod to one style while kindly humouring another – make sense? And we’re going to call this hardware style ‘transitional’.
But before we get into my favorite hardware, you need to figure out which metal finish you want…
BLACK HARDWARE ON WOOD CABINETS
Matte black is HANDS-DOWN, the top choice for updating wood cabinets these days. However, if you have FULLY exposed hinges (in other words, it’s not just the little edge showing), it’s a hard no from this cowgirl. Exposed hinges, especially ones that are in high contrast to your wood finish, can look harsh and show the age of the cabinets (as modern cabinets have hidden hinges).
While black is a great finish for these oak cabinets, for the scale of the doors, I’d love to see handles with a bit more thickness and fewer curves…
In the above photo, notice how the new white subway tile backsplash and updated countertop give NEW life to the original oak cabinets – MAD LOVE!
This next kitchen has ALL of my heart and I love the simplicity of the black cabinet knobs on the doors (although I miiiiight’ve done handles or cup pulls on the drawers)…
Is it updated to today’s standards? Nope, but it’s homey, cozy, and inviting – works for me! The only things I might change would be light fixtures that aren’t hanging on chains and maaaybe a subway tile backsplash in a muted neutral that matches the countertops. But even as it is, I love it.
While this next kitchen has all the original features (likely late 80s), the coordinated hardware and light fixtures help the space feel pulled together and purposefully designed. To REALLY update this space, here are a few ideas…
- Paint the island a color that complements the countertop and surrounding wood finishes – the red stain is a bit off.
- If the pendants are staying, choose a coordinating chandelier with fewer curves. While the look suits the pendants, fewer curly cues would be better.
- Even better, I’d love to see black hardware, modern pendants in a black finish, and a coordinating chandelier.
- Brighten the walls with a modern beige paint color.
- Budget allowing, I’d LOVE to see a subway tile backsplash, which is one of the BEST ways to update a kitchen with oak cabinets and granite countertops.
POLISHED NICKEL HARDWARE ON WOOD CABINETS
Polished nickel is in HOT second place to black, especially if you want a slightly more modern approach that coordinates with stainless appliances.
These next cabinets are gorgeous in their orange-red glory, but if it were MY home, here’s what I would do…
- I’d paint the cabinets (sorry #notsorry). HOWEVER, it would hurt me as the wood IS so darn pretty (it’s just overwhelming with the floor).
- But because painting wasn’t an option with this client, I’d put a rug on the floor (a washable one) to get a bit of a visual breather between the wood floor and the cabinets.
- Try black hardware and see which is better (I don’t mind the polished nickel, but I am curious to see black, considering the black granite counter).
- Paint the walls so they don’t compete with the cabinets as much.
- Add a subway tile backsplash.
- Remove the single pendant.
- Add a striking, larger piece of artwork on the wall beside the back door, creating a focal point.
ANTIQUE BRASS HARDWARE ON WOOD CABINETS
If you’re looking for a low-contrast look, antique brass is a beautiful finish with oak cabinets, but it’s tougher to pull off unless you have mad style (think Studio McGee) and the right cabinets (shaker style). The bonus is that most oak cabinets (if they have their original hardware) have hinges in this finish, so that’s one less thing to worry about.
Although it’s at a distance, it’s easy to see how low-contrast and subtle the hinges and hardware look on these oak cabinets – perfect…
The cabinet hardware in this next kitchen isn’t antique brass or gold, but they do have an aged look that’s softer than black…
OIL-RUBBED BRONZE HARDWARE ON WOOD CABINETS
Oil-rubbed bronze is another beautiful finish with wood cabinets but is usually better with oak than cherry or maple (depending on the stain color).
However, of the four finishes, oil-rubbed bronze is usually the LEAST modern-looking.
To update this next kitchen without painting the cabinets, I would change the light fixtures for sure, going down to two slightly larger ones and capping off the middle one. I would also update the backsplash with a creamy beige subway tile.
GOLD OR BRASS HARDWARE ON WOOD CABINETS
While gold and brass are POPULAR finishes these days, they aren’t always a hit with wood cabinets.
Why?
Gold/brass is usually a yellow-toned metal finish, and some cabinets are too orange/red-toned for this yellow-gold look. Aged brass (antique brass) is often a better fit, but both can be considerably more expensive than black or polished nickel.
WHAT HARDWARE LOOKS BEST TO UPDATE WOOD CABINETS?
When choosing your type of hardware and style, consider the lines of your cabinets…
CATHEDRAL OR ARCHED DOORS. You might choose hardware with a slight curve or softer lines (eg. listed below #3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12).
SHAKER STYLE CABINET DOORS. Sure, you can do a little curve (listed above) or choose hardware with slightly cleaner, smoother lines (eg. listed below #1, 2, 5, 11).
FLAT PANEL DOORS (no detail). Stay away from curves – keep things reasonably simple with minimal to no decorative detail. Interestingly enough, I don’t even have one simple enough shown below (maybe #2), so here are a few…
- My fave 5″ CENTER BAR PULL HERE
- KINGSTON SQUARE BAR PULL HERE
- PAROW CENTER BAR PULL HERE
- LOMBARD PULL HERE
And, of course, you can get most of these styles in whichever finish you like; these are just the shapes to get you on the right track. And while some of these are a BIT pricier than I’d like, you can take the idea and shop at your local store to see if you can find a better deal.
Click on the links below to see the different available finishes.
- Cup Pull – Black | 2. Bar Pull – Black | 3. Arch Pull – Black | 4. Cup Pull – Polished Nickel | 5. Bar Pull – Polished Nickel | 6. Arch Pull – Polish Nickel | 7. Cup Pull – Oil Rubbed Bronze | 8. Bar Pull – Oil Rubbed Bronze | 9. Center Bar Pull – Oil Rubbed Bronze | 10. Cup Pull – Brass | 11. Center Cup Pull – Brass | 12. Center Pull – Brass
Truth be told, I’m disillusioned about #8 as it’s quite the pocket-catcher (but you do you, boo).
UGH, YOU’RE SUCH A KNOB
Some cabinets look best with knobs rather than cabinet pulls (especially doors over drawers), particularly when you only have one knob hole and aren’t inclined to bust out the drill.
Knobs are a bit more unisex when it comes to working with shaker and cathedral-style cabinets and one knob can often suit both profiles. And really, can you believe I haven’t made a rude joke about knobs yet? I know, it’s disturbing, isn’t it?
Click on the links below to see the different available finishes.
- Classic Mushroom Knob – Black | 2. Mushroom Knob – Black | 3. Geometric Square Knob – Black | 4. Square Knob – Black | 5. Basic Mushroom Knob – Polished Nickel | 6. Mushroom Knob – Polished Nickel | 7. Round Knob – Polished Nickel | 8. Square Knob – Polished Nickel | 9. Mushroom Knob – Oil Rubbed Bronze | 10. Basic Mushroom Knob – Oil Rubbed Bronze | 11. Detailed Mushroom Knob – Oil Rubbed Bronze | 12. T-Bar Knob – Oil Rubbed Bronze | 13. Mushroom Knob – Brass | 14. Simple Mushroom Knob – Brass | 15. Square Knob – Brass | 16. Rectangle Knob – Brass
A FEW CONSIDERATIONS
- If you opt for a square/rectangle knob (or number 12), you have to tighten them VERY WELL or you’ll constantly be straightening them – no biggie though.
- Number 12 is a pocket-catcher.
And you might be thinking, ‘umm Kylie, there are a lot of mushroom-shaped knobs in that image?’ That’s because I love you and am trying to save you from the freakin’ AGONY of oval and square knobs that inevitably loosen up and go off-kilter so you spend half your time in the kitchen tweakin’ your knobs so they all line up. I’ve got a few in there, but consider yourself warned. And no Mom, I’m not going to make a rude joke to finish the ‘tweakin’ your knob‘ sentence off but you KNOW I thought about it.
WHAT METAL FINISHES LOOK GOOD TOGETHER
It’s not easy to mix and match metal finishes. Between light fixtures and door and cabinet hardware, you can end up with a hot mess on your hands. While you can get a bit more creative than this list shown below (depending on the style of your home), it’s a great place to start for the average homeowner…
Want more?
6 Ideas to Update Oak Cabinets – (PART 1)
4 Ideas to Update Your Wood Cabinets – WITHOUT a Drop of Paint! (PART 2)
The 16 Best Paint Colours to Update Oak or Wood Cabinets or Trim (PART 4)
Need to get a ‘handle’ on things?
Get the Online Paint Color & Update Expert that DESIGNERS hire!
READ MORE
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The 4 Best Gray & Greige Paint Colours for Kitchen Cabinets & Vanities
The 7 Best Paint Colours to Update Dark Wood Trim
4 BUDGET-FRIENDLY KITCHEN UPDATE IDEAS
The Best Paint Colours for Kitchen Islands & Lower Cabinets
6 Questions to Ask BEFORE You Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets White
ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2018, UPDATED IN 2023
Hi Kylie, I just had my kitchen cabinets painted with BM White Dove. What color would you recommend for the walls. I want to keep the walls a light color. The painter is doing this next week so I’m in a panic! Any recommendations are appreciated , thanks so much!
Hi Gale, thank you for the note! When it comes to wall colour it will be less about the cabinet colour and more about the countertop/flooring/backsplash (as White Dove is pretty versatile). I’d recommend you check out my e-design, it’s affordable and I do have the 3 day turnaround option. This way I can look at your photos/products and give you options that suit your space! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/product-category/interior-paint-colors/
~Kylie
Hi Kylie! I’ve found your blog invaluable as I’ve started the remodel process on our 13 year old home. Does the size of the bar pull matter? I noticed most of the ones you posted were 4-5″ but it seems 3″ is the most common sold. Thank you!
Author
Hi Liz, for cabinet handles, I’d say 4-5″ is the common one when remodelling, as that’s a common width for the old hardware (so the holes are already there). I find that with most new kitchens that when they have a choice, my clients are choosing 5-7″ more commonly 🙂
Thanks!
What are your thoughts about knobs vs handles? Obviously I will do handles on the drawers, a curved handle (as I have dated cathedral doors). I am torn about the cupboard doors though…
Author
Hi Laura! I’ve always been a handle fan, but lately I’ve fully embraced knobs on doors (round ones for sure) – I say DO IT!
I’m going for a whole new kitchen in our 35 year old home. I’m looking for something classic because we’re retired and this has to last until they carry me out! 😉
I love white but worry that it will look dated in a few years. Can you address that? Same with. the shaker style. Which style is going to be the most classic? Has the white cabinets run most of its fashion cycle?
Also, I like the look of dark knobs and handles, but everything else in our house is polished nickel. Can I have dark pulls and knobs in the kitchen without changing the rest of the hardware throughput the house. Or can I have polished nickel cupboard hardware but use dark curtain rods and light fixtures?
I have the DC cabinet in honey oak. What knobs do you recommend.
Hello! I have totally flat cabinet doors with rounded edges and nothing in the middle (not cathedral or curved). I think the style is from the 80’s, but I’m having a hard time finding what they’re called. I’ve thought about painting them, but now I think I might just re-stain and put handles/knobs on. What are your thoughts – what would you recommend for updating those? Please let me know what you think!
Author
Oooo, this could be a good blog post, or atleast an addition to an existing one! BTW, I would just call those flat panel cabinets if I were Googling them. Off the top, I would go for simple, sleek, clean-lined hardware – nothing frivolous and no details at all ;). If you’d like, email my some photos of your kitchen and when I have time, I’ll see if I can do a blog post or AT LEAST add them to an existing blog with some tips for you! kylie@kylieminteriors.ca
Just make sure the email subject line says ‘flat panel example photos’ otherwise my hubby (who sorts my emails) might be confused as to what they’re for 🙂