What Hardware Goes Best With Cherry Cabinets? A Complete Guide

As an expert renovator who has designed dozens of gorgeous cherry wood kitchens, I‘m often asked: what is the best hardware to pair with cherry cabinets? From warm brass knobs to cool stainless steel pulls, the options can seem endless. But fear not! In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know to choose hardware that perfectly complements your cherry cabinets.

Why Cherry Wood is Such a Popular Choice

With its rich, reddish-brown hues and distinctive grain patterns, it‘s easy to see why cherry remains one of the most beloved cabinet woods. In fact, data from the National Kitchen and Bath Association shows that cherry ranks among the top five most popular wood species used for kitchen cabinets.

Cherry‘s visual warmth and hint of red make it ideal for traditional and cottage style kitchens. Its practically straight grain also takes stain remarkably well, so you can easily manipulate the color to your desired hue. Darker stains can even lend a sophisticated, modern feel.

No matter what look you‘re going for, cherry‘s smooth texture and semi-open pores make it extremely versatile. This stunning wood also wears well over time, gaining a lovely patina.

So if you‘ve chosen cherry for your latest cabinetry or furniture project, selecting the perfect coordinating hardware is key to creating a unified, stylish space.

Hardware Metals and Finishes for Cherry Wood

Beautiful cabinets constructed of cherry wood deserve quality hardware that enhances (rather than distracts from) the wood‘s natural beauty. Here‘s an in-depth look at the best metal and finish options:

Warm Metals

Warm metals like brass, bronze, and copper bring out the subtle red undertones in cherry wood. These metals add a lovely traditional touch with their aged, burnished finishes.

• Brass: Bras offers a timeless, refined look. An antique brass or oil-rubbed bronze finish looks especially elegant against cherry cabinets. Unlacquered brass develops a mellow patina over time.

• Bronze: With its brownish hue, bronze is nearly as warm as the wood itself. Like brass, it has an antique patina that pairs perfectly with traditional kitchen designs.

• Copper: Copper lends a retro, industrial vibe with its orangey-pink metallic sheen. When paired with cherry, it creates a bold, sophisticated color combination.

Cool Metals

The subtle contrast of cool silvery metals allows the wood‘s warm hues to truly stand out. These lend cherry cabinets a lighter, more modern feel.

• Brushed Nickel: One of the most popular choices for contemporary kitchens, brushed nickel has an understated elegance and works with any style. Its silvery sheen accentuates the cherry finish.

• Stainless Steel: From lever-style handles to simple clean-lined pulls, stainless steel looks sleek and neat against cherry cabinets. It resists fingerprints and matches stainless steel appliances.

• Chrome: With its smooth mirrored surface, chrome has a sophisticated yet futuristic vibe. Its ultra-reflective finish creates a striking pairing with rich cherry wood.

Matte Black

Inky matte black hardware provides the starkest contrast against cherry‘s warm hues. This is a bold yet elegant choice perfect for contemporary, modern kitchens. Black offers a sense of drama and luxury.

According to a survey by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), matte black finishes are one of the top hardware trends to watch. Black pulls, knobs, and handles effortlessly create a polished, upscale look.

Popular Finish Types

Beyond the base metal itself, the type of finish you choose also impacts the look significantly. Here are some top options:

• Distressed: Excellent on brass, bronze, and nickel, this finish has an antiqued, weathered appearance that pairs nicely with cottage and farmhouse styles.

• Oil-Rubbed: This hand-rubbed finish creates a rich, warm patina. It‘s commonly seen on bronze hardware.

• Satin: Less shiny than polished finishes, satin has a smooth, velvety look. It works well on stainless steel, nickel, brass, and more.

• Matte: With its non-reflective, muted appearance, matte black adds subtle elegance and versatility.

Styles of Hardware for Cherry Cabinets and Drawers

Now that you know the best metals and finishes, it‘s time to explore hardware styles. Keep in mind your cabinet‘s door style when making selections. The options are endless, but here are some top picks:

Cabinet Pulls

• Bar Pulls: The straight, rectangular shape of bar pulls suits any cabinet style. Sitting horizontally, they provide a convenient grip.

• Cup Pulls: As the name suggests, the curved cup-shaped end offers excellent leverage for opening doors and drawers.

• Drop Pulls: Centered on the door or drawer, drop pulls have a streamlined look and are also very functional.

• Cutout Pulls: These stylish pulls have a cutout shape for added aesthetic interest. The negative space spotlights the beautiful wood grain.

Drawer Knobs

• Round knobs: A classic choice perfect for shaker-style cherry cabinets, round knobs come in every finish imaginable.

• Crystal knobs: For a touch of luxury, glass and crystal knobs showcase cherry‘s richness. Opt for clear if seeking contrast.

• Square knobs: The clean lines of square knobs have a very contemporary vibe. Stainless steel and black look especially sleek.

• Backplate knobs: Decorative backplates provide an extra design detail. Look for shaped or beveled plates that show off the wood.

Door Handles

• Lever handles: Often seen on cabinets, lever door handles allow easy operation with wrists/forearms as well as hands. Great for accessibility.

• Arch handles: The graceful curved shape of arch handles complements raised panel doors beautifully.

• Bow handles: Similar to arch handles, these have more of an oval shape for a delicate touch.

Backplates and Escutcheons

Optional backplates (for knobs) and escutcheons (for levers/handles) enhance any hardware‘s appearance:

• Square backplates have clean lines that contrast nicely with ornate crystal or ceramic knobs.

• Circular backplates complement round knobs well, especially if similarly sized.

• Decorative oval or rectangular escutcheons dress up plain lever-style handles.

*Price range estimates based on average retail costs of hardware from major manufacturers.

Design Considerations for Cherry Wood Hardware

Picking the perfect hardware involves carefully weighing both form and function. Follow these tips:

Size Matters

Make sure your handles and pulls are nicely scaled for cabinet and drawer size. Oversized hardware looks gaudy and ostentatious. Conversely, tiny pulls on large cabinet fronts look insignificant and wimpy.

As a general rule of thumb, drawer pulls should be 3-4 inches long. For smaller drawers under 24 inches wide, opt for knobs instead.

Create a Unified Look

Sticking to a single consistent finish and style throughout the kitchen helps create a polished, pulled-together appearance. While mixing metals has become trendy, limit mixes to two complementary metals with similar finishes.

Too much variety can seem overwhelming and disjointed. For a magazine-worthy kitchen, keep the cherry wood as the star and choose hardware that tastefully accents rather than competes with its beauty.

Focus on Functionality

Looks are only half the battle when selecting hardware. You want pieces that will actually endure years of regular use. Seek out quality solid brass, zinc alloy, or stainless steel over cheap plastic options that will quickly show wear.

Proper installation is also key for functionality. Make sure pulls and knobs are placed at comfortable heights for users of all sizes. Children should be able to reach and operate them easily.

Mind the Details

Pay attention to specialty hardware like hinges and shelf supports as well. While brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, and black are safe bets, you can also introduce fun pops of color here if desired.

Align all hardware horizontally so that it looks neatly spaced and aesthetically pleasing. Place pulls an equal distance from the top and bottom of drawers/cabinets.

Bringing It All Together

As you can see, the metal finish, style, and size of hardware all impact its look against rich cherry wood. My advice is to select high quality handles and pulls in a finish that accentuates the cabinets‘ warmth. Stick to a unified style throughout for a clean, polished look.

Install the hardware properly to enhance functionality. And don‘t forget those small specialty hardware pieces to complete the overall design. Most importantly, let your stunning cherry wood cabinets take center stage by choosing hardware that complements rather than overwhelms their beauty.

With the right hardware choices, you can ensure your cherry cabinetry will provide both timeless elegance and everyday utility for years to come. For personalized guidance with your kitchen or bath project, visit my site at www.designsbylillie.com or give me a call. I‘d be happy to help you find the perfect hardware to accentuate your beautiful cherry wood cabinetry.