Upgrade Your Kitchen Cabinets: 3 Tips

Kitchen cabinets set the tone for your kitchen area, and if you have an open floor plan, they impact the overall design of your home. If you’re planning a kitchen remodel, revamping your cabinets can make a world of a difference! Adding a layer of wood veneer or laminate over existing cabinet surfaces can make for an instant new outward appearance. Bold colours, open shelving, beautiful kitchen handles, cabinet pulls, and new kitchen hardware can all create an exciting look and increase the value of your home. If you feel inspired about upgrading your cabinetry, here are some ways you can add style and functionality to your kitchen:

1. Invest In Gorgeous Hardware

Buying kitchen handles, knobs, door stops, and other contemporary hardware is a great way of upgrading your kitchen cabinets without having to break the bank. The shape, colour, and finish of your pulls also make a huge difference. Here are some cabinet hardware styles that you can incorporate:

Traditional

Go for bronze pulls and kitchen knobs with exposed screws to give your cabinet doors a traditional raised-panel look. The bronze finish with the glazed cabinet wood underneath adds warmth and texture to your space. Traditional hardware often features intricate detailing, such as beaded edges or floral motifs, which pair excellently with Shaker-style doors or cathedral-arch cabinetry.

Contemporary

Add tubular drawers with handles finished in brushed nickel to complement the blonde-wood look of a contemporary kitchen. Lightweight, sleek, and horizontal in design, these cabinet pulls are ideal for custom wood countertops. For a truly minimalist aesthetic, consider T-bar handles or slim profile pulls that offer a clean line across your cabinetry bank.

2. Paint Your Cabinets For A New Look

Do your dark kitchen cabinets suck all the light out of the room? It’s time to give your kitchen a bright makeover with a fresh coat of paint! You can either choose to complement your dark wood floor with chic, all-white kitchen cabinets or you can go for a bold, unexpected colour in a smooth finish to change up the look entirely. Colourful design palettes are actually trending this year!

Painting your cabinets will take your space from dreary to sunny and make a statement without overwhelming the space. Pair your new kitchen area with stainless steel hardware and new appliances for a modern look. When selecting paint, ensure you use a high-quality satin or semi-gloss finish specifically designed for cabinetry; these finishes are more durable and easier to wipe clean from grease and fingerprints than standard matte emulsions.

3. Add Task Lighting

Shed light on kitchen tasks by installing under-cabinet LED light fixtures. These can brighten up the entire space while adding a touch of class. We recommend adding dimmable task lights that you can dial down for an evening mood setting. LED strips are a popular choice as they provide a continuous run of light, eliminating dark spots on your worktops. For a more focused beam, recessed puck lights can be installed into the base of the wall units to highlight specific prep areas or decorative backsplashes.

4. Master the Art of Mixing Finishes

Modern kitchen design no longer requires every piece of metal to match perfectly. Mixing finishes can add depth and a "curated" feel to your home. For example, you might pair matte black cabinet hardware on your perimeter cupboards with warm brass or bronze handles on a central kitchen island. This creates a focal point and breaks up the visual monotony of a large kitchen.

When mixing finishes, the general rule is to keep the "vibe" consistent. If you choose a modern, sleek handle shape, keep that shape consistent even if the colours change. Alternatively, keep the finish the same (e.g., all brushed nickel) but vary the styles between bow handles on drawers and knobs on upper cabinets.

5. Upgrade to Soft-Close Functionality

Functionality is just as important as aesthetics. Upgrading your internal cabinet hardware can significantly improve the user experience. Replacing standard hinges with soft-close versions prevents doors from slamming, reducing wear and tear on the cabinet frame and lowering noise levels in the home. Most modern soft-close hinges are adjustable in three dimensions (height, side-to-side, and depth), allowing you to align your cabinet doors perfectly for a professional, symmetrical finish.

6. Incorporate Open Shelving

If your kitchen feels cramped, consider removing the doors from a few upper cabinets or replacing them entirely with floating shelves. This creates an airy, open feel and allows you to display decorative glassware or cookbooks. To maintain a cohesive look, ensure the hardware on the remaining lower cabinets—such as high-quality cabinet handles—is striking enough to draw the eye and anchor the design.

The Ultimate Cabinet Hardware Buying Guide

Choosing the right hardware involves more than just picking a style you like. You must consider ergonomics, scale, and technical specifications to ensure a long-lasting installation.

Understanding Measurements

When replacing existing handles, the most critical measurement is the "Centre-to-Centre" distance. This is the distance between the centres of the two screw holes. Standard UK sizes often include 96mm, 128mm, 160mm, and 192mm. Always measure twice before ordering to avoid having to drill new holes and fill old ones.

Knobs vs. Pulls

• Knobs: Best suited for cabinet doors. They are easy to install (requiring only one hole) and work well in traditional or transitional kitchens.
• Pulls/Handles: Ideal for heavy drawers or integrated appliances. They provide more surface area for your hand, making them more ergonomic for pulling weight. Bow handles are particularly popular for their comfortable grip and timeless curve.

Material Durability

Kitchens are high-moisture, high-traffic environments. Look for hardware made from solid brass, stainless steel, or high-grade zinc alloy. These materials resist corrosion and can withstand the oils and acids transferred from hands during cooking.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Incorrect Scale: Using tiny knobs on very large, heavy pantry doors can look disproportionate and make the door difficult to open. Conversely, oversized handles on small spice drawers can look cluttered. Aim for a handle length that is approximately 1/3 the width of the drawer front.
• Ignoring Clearance: Before committing to a handle style, ensure that when a door or drawer is opened, the handle won't hit an adjacent wall or another handle. This is especially common in corner cabinets.
• Mixing Too Many Styles: While mixing finishes is a trend, mixing more than three different styles of hardware in one room can make the space feel disjointed rather than intentional.
• Poor Placement: For a modern look, handles are often placed horizontally on drawers and vertically on doors. Placing handles in the very centre of a door is a dated look; instead, align them with the stiles (the vertical frame of the door).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I replace my cabinet handles without drilling new holes?

Yes, provided you buy "like-for-like" sizes. Measure the distance between the centres of the existing screw holes. If your current handles are 128mm apart, search specifically for 128mm cabinet handles. If you are switching from knobs to handles, you will inevitably need to drill at least one new hole per unit.

2. What is the best finish for a busy family kitchen?

Brushed finishes, such as brushed nickel or satin brass, are excellent at hiding fingerprints and water spots. Polished finishes (like chrome) look stunning but require more frequent cleaning to maintain their mirror-like shine.

3. How do I clean my new kitchen hardware?

Avoid harsh chemical cleaners or abrasive pads, as these can strip the protective lacquer off the metal. A soft cloth dampened with warm water and a mild dish soap is usually sufficient. Always dry the hardware thoroughly after cleaning to prevent water spotting.

4. Should I use knobs or handles for my upper cabinets?

This is largely a matter of preference. Many designers use knobs for upper wall cabinets to keep the eye level looking "light," while using sturdier handles for lower base cabinets and drawers where more force is required to open them.

Conclusion

Upgrading your kitchen cabinets doesn't require a full demolition. By focusing on high-impact changes like fresh paint, strategic lighting, and premium cabinet hardware, you can achieve a designer look on a modest budget. Whether you prefer the rustic charm of bronze door handles or the sleek silhouette of modern bow handles, the right details will elevate your kitchen's functionality and aesthetic appeal for years to come.

Get your hands on stylish and high-end furniture fittings for your kitchen from Décor and Décor. Buy kitchen door stops, external door handles, doorknobs, cupboard door handles, and door hinges. Browse our collection today and transform your home with quality hardware!