Whether you’re in the process of a massive renovation or you’re just looking for a quick and easy way to add a little bling to your home, there’s no better way to spice up your look than with new pulls and knobs for your cabinets. Seriously, it’s easy. Just arm yourself with a screwdriver and you’re good to go. Here’s a few things you might want to take into account before you run off to the hardware store with a wad of cash:
1. What do you want your cabinets to look like? Now that you’re updating your cabinetry by changing out the hardware, you’ve got an awesome opportunity to revamp the whole look of your kitchen or bathroom. Before you rush out and buy new knobs or let yourself be seduced by a great sale, take a minute to think about what you want your “new” space to look like. Are you drawn towards the clean lines of modern architecture? If so, sleek oversized chrome pulls like these might be for you:
Prefer a look that’s a little more traditional? These classic cup pulls would be just the ticket:
And if your look is clean and understated, try these simple knobs:
2. What is your price range? Once you’ve decided on your new look, decide on a budget for your mini-makeover. While new hardware can be a very affordable update, there are some beautiful (and tempting) options out there that can really break the bank. So before you get your heart set on a specific pricey knob, count the number of knobs and/or pulls that you would need for your space and determine how much you can afford to spend per piece of hardware. Keep in mind that you can often achieve a high-end look for less just by switching out the material that the knob is made of – for example, chrome is an excellent and much cheaper substitute for polished brass. If you’re looking for cheap but chic hardware, stores like Ikea, Target, Home Depot and Lowes are great resources. You may want to consider some of these babies which will surely look gorgeous in any kitchen:
Stores like Anthropologie and Restoration Hardware offer selections that are a little less budget-friendly but are truly unique conversation pieces:
3. Knobs or pulls – or a combo? A great way to give your kitchen or bath an interesting and eclectic look is to use knobs on some cabinets and pulls on others. For example, in our kitchen we used knobs on every cabinet, but kept things interesting by using pulls on all of the drawers. When using pulls, you can emphasize the proportions of your cabinets or drawers by using oversized pulls on large drawers and petite pulls for those small drawers. We kept our traditional cabinetry from feeling stale by mixing both knobs and pulls and the sizes of the pulls in our kitchen:
4. Do you like where the existing knobs and pulls are? Lots of older cabinetry has knobs and pulls in strange locations – our bathrooms used to sport pulls right in the middle of the cabinets and drawers, instantly dating the space:
Luckily, it’s totally easy to change the location of hardware on painted cabinets (not so for stained cabinets). All you have to do is remove the old hardware, fill in the holes with wood filler, sand down the excess wood filler, and then repaint the cabinet door. Once your cabinets are dry, you can drill holes for the new hardware in the exact location that you want them. Easy, right?!?
Have you transformed your cabinets or furniture with new hardware? Want to let us know where you scored a great deal on new knobs? Fill us in!!
Images courtesy of me, Domino, Ikea, Restoration Hardware and Anthropologie.
If you haven’t already tried it on Bower Power, check out Anthropologie’s interactive DIY hardware tool. You can pick a piece of furniture that looks like something you own and try out Anthropologie’s awesome collection of knobs to see how they would look on your own stuff! Pretty awesome, if you ask me. Go forth and knob!!
You are right, hardware is an easy update that will give you a lot of bang for your buck. I’m about to change out the knobs on my buffet. I’m still looking for just the right knobs.
Nikki,
I hope you’ve gotten a little inspiration for the new knobs – keep us posted on what you decide to do with your buffet!
Guys, be sure to check out Nikki’s blog for an awesome fireplace update: http://nikkisnacs.blogspot.com/2009/03/fireplace-before-and-after.html. Amazing!
~ Liz
I’m seriously in love with the anthropologie knobs – how totally gorgeous would that starburst mother of pearl number look on a nightstand?? true love!! I may have to avoid working for awhile longer and buy two of those beauties…
I just read all the awesome comments about your renovation on This Young House. What a huge motivation! The readers absolutely loved it.
Your faithful readers on itsgreattobehome.net have always know you were fab. Keep up the cool postings!
Chris
Chris,
Thanks – I think you’re fab, too!! I must admit that it was pretty much the coolest thing ever to (1) be featured on TYH, and (2) get such awesome responses!! Happy day!
~ Liz
I love this post! We are currently preparing to replace all the knobs and pulls in our home. They are original to the home and…quite outdated. I’m looking forward to giving our kitchen and bathroom a new look!
Nicole,
Major props for your knob & pull project!! I can’t wait to see how it turns out, I’d love to see pics! Good luck. :)
~ Liz
When my friend Abby bought a new house, a group of friends threw her a Housewarming Knob party – everyone brought different knobs (mostly Anthropologie) as gifts that are now all over the house. Pretty fun!
Jen,
I love the idea of a Housewarming Knob party!!! I can just imagine how fun and funky an old dresser would look with a different knob on each drawer – and what a great conversation piece! Ooooh, now I’m wanting to have my own HWKP (housewarming knob party, natch). . . :)
~ Liz
And yes, I’m 28 years old and I just said “natch.” Sorry bout that. :)
~ Liz
Jen – I love the idea of a Housewarming Knob Party! I recently bought some at anthropologie on sale – they are so cute i just need to find somewhere to put them!
New hardware can do wonders for outdated cabinets – check out our quick fix for our kitchen cabinets when we first moved in to our home here. I couldn’t believe the difference some home depot drawer pulls made!
http://ranchdressings.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html#5903050224849177488
Hi! Just found your website and it is great! Where did you find those capiz shell branches that are in your bathroom? Love them.
Laura,
So glad you found us! :) Those gorgeous little branches were about $2 a piece from Michael’s (in the floral section) – go get’em, you will love them!
~ Liz