Which Cabinet Hardware Finish Should You Choose?

If you’re renovating your kitchen or bathroom, cabinet hardware might feel like one of the smaller decisions on a long list of choices. However, when you’re done, you’ll realize that these little details can make all the difference. 

Here at Brush & Roll Painting, we have 28+ years of experience helping Omaha homeowners make the most out of their remodeling and painting projects. With a team of color experts and working with a local interior designer, we know how to help you be confident in choosing the right hardware for your project.

In this article, we will guide you through the various hardware finish options available, explaining what works best with popular cabinet finishes. By the end, you’ll know which hardware finish can enhance your kitchen or bathroom’s look and feel, giving you the confidence to make a decision that completes your cabinets.

1. Polished Chrome (Silver) Hardware for Cabinets

Polished chrome or plain “silver,” is known for its bright, reflective surface. This shiny finish is both durable and timeless, providing a clean, modern aesthetic that’s popular in kitchens and bathrooms. Polished chrome hardware also resists tarnishing, making it a great choice for high-use areas.

Best Cabinet Colors for Polished Chrome

Polished chrome’s cool, reflective surface pairs well with cool-toned colors and dark, rich stains.

• White or Off-White Cabinets: Polished chrome adds a clean, bright contrast to white or off-white cabinets, creating a crisp, modern look.
• Gray or Greige Cabinets: Soft or dark grays, as well as greige (a blend of gray and beige), create a sophisticated look with polished chrome.
• Dark Stains (Espresso, Walnut): Darker wood stains bring out the cool shine of polished chrome, creating a high-contrast, dramatic look.

Pros of Polished Chrome Cabinet Hardware:

• Easy to clean and durable
• Reflective surface brightens a room
• Classic and versatile

Cons of Polished Chrome Cabinet Hardware:

• Shows fingerprints and smudges
• Many feel silver is going out of date

2. Brushed Nickel Hardware for Cabinets

Brushed nickel is a matte, soft silver finish with a smooth texture. This versatile finish is often a go-to for homeowners looking for a balance of traditional and contemporary styles. Its understated look works well in neutral and earthy color schemes and is also durable and resistant to tarnishing.

Best Cabinet Colors for Brushed Nickel

Brushed nickel pairs well with a wide range of colors, especially neutrals and warm tones.

• Cream or Beige Cabinets: Brushed nickel complements the warmth of cream or beige, creating a cohesive, inviting look.
• Navy Blue Cabinets: This finish stands out beautifully against darker colors, making navy a great option to pair with brushed nickel.
• Mid-Toned Wood Stains (Oak, Maple): The soft warmth of brushed nickel enhances the natural tones of mid-tone stains like oak and maple, perfect for a farmhouse or rustic look.

Pros of Brushed Nickel Cabinet Hardware:

• Soft, matte look suitable for many styles
• Hides fingerprints and smudges
• Blends well with both light and dark colors

Cons of Brushed Nickel Cabinet Hardware:

• May lack the “pop” of more reflective finishes
• Can feel too subtle for high-contrast designs

3. Oil-Rubbed Bronze Hardware for Cabinets

Oil-rubbed bronze is a dark, warm finish with a hint of brown, perfect for creating a rustic or traditional feel. This finish is known for its aged look, often darkening over time and developing a natural patina, which adds character and charm to any space.

Best Cabinet Colors for Oil-Rubbed Bronze

Oil-rubbed bronze pairs well with warmer tones and natural wood stains, creating a cozy, vintage aesthetic.

• Cherry or Mahogany Stains: Dark wood tones like cherry or mahogany bring out the warmth of oil-rubbed bronze, enhancing a traditional feel.
• Earthy Greens (Sage, Forest): Dark green cabinets with oil-rubbed bronze hardware add richness and character to any room.
• Off-White or Taupe: For a soft, vintage look, off-white or taupe cabinets create a balanced, classic look when paired with oil-rubbed bronze.

Pros of Oil-Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware:

• Develops patina, adding vintage character
• Hides fingerprints well
• Great for rustic, farmhouse, or traditional spaces

Cons of Oil-Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Hardware:

• Can feel heavy in modern or minimalist designs
• Dark finish may make cabinets look smaller or too dark in low-light areas

4. Matte Black Hardware for Cabinets

Matte black hardware is both bold and versatile, offering a sleek, modern look. Its non-reflective surface makes it easy to maintain, hiding fingerprints and smudges. Matte black works beautifully in both contemporary and traditional spaces, adding a dramatic contrast to light cabinets or creating a monochromatic look with dark colors.

Best Cabinet Colors for Matte Black

Matte black pairs well with a range of colors, depending on the desired look.

• White or Light Gray Cabinets: For a high-contrast, modern look, matte black hardware is striking on white or light gray cabinets.
• Charcoal Gray or Black Cabinets: Pairing matte black with dark cabinets creates a seamless, monochromatic look.
• Warm Wood Stains (Maple, Honey Oak): Matte black adds a contemporary edge to warm wood tones, highlighting their natural beauty.

Pros of Matte Black Cabinet Hardware:

• Sleek and low-maintenance
• Creates bold contrast with light colors
• Works well in both modern and rustic settings

Cons of Matte Black Cabinet Hardware:

• Can be too stark for some traditional or classic designs
• Limited versatility outside of modern and industrial aesthetics

5. Antique Brass Hardware for Cabinets

Antique brass is a warm, muted gold finish with a vintage feel, perfect for those looking to add a touch of old-world charm. Unlike polished gold, antique brass is slightly aged in appearance, offering a softer, more timeless look that blends well in traditional, rustic, or farmhouse-inspired spaces.

Best Cabinet Colors for Antique Brass

Antique brass works beautifully with earthy tones, rich wood stains, and vintage-inspired colors.

• Sage Green or Olive Green: Earthy green cabinets pair naturally with antique brass, creating a warm, inviting look.
• Light Beige or Greige: Neutral tones like beige or greige are enhanced by antique brass, offering a balanced, classic aesthetic.
• Honey Stains or Light Pine: Antique brass looks harmonious with lighter wood stains, creating a softer, more traditional look.

Pros of Antique Brass Cabinet Hardware:

• Adds warmth and vintage character
• Pairs well with warm and earthy tones
• Great for traditional or farmhouse styles

Cons of Antique Brass Cabinet Hardware:

• Can be too muted for modern or minimalist designs
• May require upkeep to maintain its finish over time

6. Brushed Brass Hardware for Cabinets

Brushed brass is a warm, gold-toned finish with a soft, satin-like surface that feels modern yet timeless. It has a luxurious look that’s more subdued than polished brass, offering warmth without the brightness. Brushed brass is popular in both modern and classic settings, especially as an alternative to cooler silver-toned metals.

Best Cabinet Colors for Brushed Brass

Brushed brass complements both light and dark colors, especially those with warmer undertones.

• White or Ivory Cabinets: Brushed brass adds a hint of warmth to white or ivory cabinets, creating a classic, elegant look.
• Deep Blue/Navy: Dark blues and greens look sophisticated with brushed brass, adding a rich, luxurious contrast.
• Walnut or Mahogany Stains: Darker stains like walnut bring out the warmth in brushed brass, adding an elegant, cohesive touch to wood tones.

Pros of Brushed Brass Cabinet Hardware:

• Warm, luxurious appearance
• Works well in modern and traditional spaces
• Soft, satin finish hides fingerprints

Cons of Brushed Brass Cabinet Hardware:

• Can clash with cooler or more industrial styles
• May not be ideal for high-traffic areas due to the finish

Tips for Selecting Your Cabinet Hardware Finish

Hardware finishes aren’t just aesthetic choices; they’re functional. The finish you choose impacts not only the look but also the durability and maintenance of your cabinet hardware. 

Each hardware finish offers its own strengths and look, whether it’s polished and modern or soft and understated.

1. Coordinate with Fixtures: If your kitchen or bathroom has a particular metal finish (like silver, chrome, or gold) in fixtures, consider matching your cabinet hardware to these for a cohesive look.
2. Balance Style and Contrast: Decide if you want your hardware to blend with or stand out against your cabinets. Light-colored cabinets look striking with darker finishes, while dark cabinets benefit from lighter or reflective finishes.
3. Consider Maintenance: Fingerprints show more on reflective finishes like polished chrome and brass. If low maintenance is a priority, consider matte or brushed finishes.

Hardware For Your Kitchen Cabinets

Choosing the right hardware finish can be the finishing touch that completes your cabinet makeover. By considering the characteristics of each finish—whether it’s the sleek look of polished chrome, the warmth of brushed brass, or the bold contrast of matte black—you can select hardware that you love the look of with your refinished cabinets

At Brush & Roll Painting in Omaha, NE, we offer a 1-hour color consultation included in any cabinet refinishing project. This ensures that you can be more confident that you are choosing the right paint color and designs for your project. 

 If you’re ready to take the next step, click the button below to talk to one of our team members! Our experts at Brush & Roll Painting in Omaha are here to help you find the perfect colors and finishes, and we’d love to provide a custom quote for your cabinet painting project.

If you’re still gathering ideas and aren’t ready to get a quote just yet, we’ve got you covered. Download our free Paint Color and Design Guide to get tips on how to choose the best color(s) for your project.