Hardware for Cherry Kitchen Cabinetry

With their rich, warm reddish-brown tones, cherry wood cabinets look great. The wood's subtle grain patterns and ability to take on a range of finishes from light to dark make cherry cabinetry endlessly versatile. From traditional country kitchens to sleek, contemporary spaces, cherry cabinets stand the test of time.

When selecting hardware for these classic cabinets, it's important to choose pieces that enhance rather than overwhelm the inherent beauty of the wood. The following comprehensive guide explores how to select finishes, types of hardware, placement strategies, and other crucial factors for achieving a cohesive, integrated look.

Achieving a Unified Aesthetic

Kitchens with a harmonious, purposeful look tend to share some key qualities:

• Cabinet hardware ties together with fixtures like lighting, sinks, and metal finishes on appliances
• Repeating finishes across multiple elements creates flow
• Traditional or contemporary details are carried throughconsistently

When choosing hardware for cherry cabinets, consider how pieces will coordinate with existing kitchen elements like granite countertops, nickel or bronze faucets, and stainless steel appliances. Come up with a plan for how to echo finishes among hardware, fixtures, and appliances so the whole space hangs together.

Current Cherry Cabinet Hardware Trends

While the clean lines of Shaker style cabinets never go out of fashion, a few emerging cherry cabinet hardware trends add a modern, on-trend twist:

• Black hardware: Matte black knobs and handles starkly contrast lighter cherry staining for drama.
• Mixed metals: Combining finishes like black iron and brass injects eclectic flavor.
• Aged copper: Verdigris patinaed copper pulls lend vintage industrial edge.
• Smoked glass: Frosted and smoked glass knobs softly diffuse light.

Factors Impacting Hardware Finish Choice

From existing elements like faucets to planned future renovations, several factors guideideal hardware finish selection for cohesion:

• If existing kitchen fixtures feature an oil-rubbed bronze finish, echoing that finish in cabinet hardware creates harmony.
• Polished nickel hardware coordinates with stainless steel appliances for a contemporary pairing.
• If you'll eventually replace chrome bathroom fixtures with blackened metals, choose timeless satin nickel cabinet hardware that will still complement the new look.
• Distressed metal finishes like rustic iron pair better with traditional kitchen aesthetics, while sleek chrome suits contemporary spaces.

The Impact of Mixing Hardware Finishes

Thoughtfully mixing two complementary finishes like brass and black iron can lend depth, texture and visual interest. But exercise restraint:

• Limit mixes to two finish pairings for balance.
• Make one finish clearly dominant, with the secondary finish serving as an accent.
• Ensure both finishes link to other kitchen elements so the space still feels cohesive.

By keeping the finish mix elegant and purposeful, hardware can provide a striking focal point against rich cherry cabinetry.

Hardware Types for Cherry Kitchen Cabinets

Knobs

From understated Shaker to strikingly ornate, cabinet knobs spans the stylistic gamut. Considerations when selecting knobs for cherry cabinets:

• Scaled proportions: Size knob diameter to cabinet door width and height for balance.
• Visual weight: Oversize ornate crystal or ceramic knobs suit substantial doors, while delicate knobs fit narrow pieces.
• Setbacks: Adjust so knobs clear surrounding cabinets and don't catch clothing.
• Spacing: Allow a minimum 2 1/2 inches between knobs so handles don't crowd each other.

Pulls

For drawers, rollouts, and other pull-open cabinetry, bar and drop pulls add functional style. Choice factors include:

• Length: Size pulls between 1/3 to 1/2 the width of drawer or door for ideal leverage.
• Placement: Install pulls approximately 3 1/2 to 4 inches from the leading edge and consistently across each door.
• Shapes: Angled bar pulls offer a streamlined transitional look, while shaped pulls like bow tie pulls make a decorative statement.

Hinges

These hidden workhorses connect cabinet doors and support their weight smoothly and reliably. Considerations when selecting:

• Standard exposed hinges provide a decorative touch visible when cabinets open.
• Concealed hinges completely hide away for ultra-streamlined silhouette.
• Soft-close hinges prevent slamming and securely hold heavier doors.
• Opt for durable, quality hinges sized appropriately for each door.

Other Specialty Hardware

Unique storage solutions like these require tailored hardware choices:

• Rollouts: Cup pulls or shelf lip pulls for ease of access
• Wastebin cabinets: Custom tiny bin pulls
• Appliance garages: Low-profile durable flush mounts
• Pantry storage: Finger pulls or hasps for lidded pull-outs

Installing Hardware on Cherry Cabinets

Meticulous hardware installation preserves the integrity of your cherry cabinetry investment. Best practices include:

• Drilling pilot holes so screws bite securely without splintering wood.
• Using manufacturer-provided screws sized for each hardware piece.
• Securing specialty hardware like drawer slides according to exact product specifications.
• Ensuring doors align by adjusting hinges if needed post-installation.

Investing the extra time upfront means your cherry cabinet hardware accentuates rather than detracts for years of functionally and beauty.

Caring for Cherry Cabinet Hardware

Like any fine furnishings, cherry cabinet hardware requires proper cleaning and care over time to prevent corrosion, tarnish, and mineral buildup.

• Clean hardware regularly using mild soap and water, drying thoroughly with soft cloth.
• For metal finishes like nickel, brass, and bronze, apply protective polish formulated for each metal type to protect and shine the finish.
• Replace heavily damaged hardware like loose hinge plates over time to maintain structural integrity.

By keeping hardware clean and inspecting it annually for any issues, you can help it last as long as your classic cherry cabinetry.

From traditional country to modern and everything between, stunning cherry cabinets make a timeless statement. Complementing their beauty with carefully selected hardware that aligns with the kitchen's existing elements creates balance. By understanding technical considerations around hardware style, proportions, finishes, placement and installation, cherry cabinet hardware can make these cabinets true focal points for years of enjoyment.