How To Find The Right Copper Hardware For Your Kitchen Cabinets

When it comes to installing the hardware that will look best in your kitchen, important features include color, shape, size and proportion, finish, ease of cleaning, and the overall aesthetic. That's a lot to look for in a drawer pull or two! Luckily, there are many ways to distinguish the different types of cabinet hardware available and choose what's right for you. But one color we keep returning to because of its versatility and natural beauty is copper. This warm red-gold is a neutral that pairs well with dark, dramatic tones, such as navy, black, or deep green. It also enhances mid-toned wood cabinets as well as surfaces that are white, light gray, or off-white. 

Copper hardware goes well with so many different shades and styles because it comes in different colors and finishes. Among the lightest tones is rose gold. Don't let the name fool you — this is a stunning, polished copper with pink undertones. Then there's true copper, every bit as shiny as a new penny. A third option is antique copper, which has a darker, smokier appearance with deep brown tones mixed with the metal's gleaming base. These colors come in different finishes including satin, brushed, rubbed, and hammered. Mixing metal finishes through the house has been a trend for years. If you have stainless steel appliances or a nickel or bronze faucet, you can still add the pizzazz of copper into your kitchen. Alternatively, if you have a copper in the sink, lamps, accessories, and hardware, you might want to bring in other metal tones so your copper items truly stand out.

If your kitchen has classic white cabinets, experiment with how different tones affect the room's mood. Rose-gold paired with white may give the kitchen a feminine touch, while the more reserved antique copper will look vintage, which can be a nice touch in a traditional kitchen. Copper hardware pairs well with warm earth tones. If you have wood or brickwork surfaces, or have olive green or terracotta in your kitchen, a bright, shiny, true copper will enhance these warm tones. With muted colors, an antique copper isn't bright enough as an accent. If your room is sleek and contemporary, again, a true copper may be best. What's equally important here is that you choose handles that match the clean, minimal lines already in place. You may want to avoid using copper in the kitchen if you have cabinets in bold, warm hues. Some people who love color might have bright red or yellow cabinets in their kitchen, and copper tones will get lost on such pronounced surfaces. Although, if the red in your kitchen is muted, like a merlot-tone, or leans toward pink, like a deep rose, copper is a perfect complementary shade.

The placement of your hardware is important, too, so make sure to know the best place to install pulls or knobs based on the type of cabinet. Remember these are all suggestions –– your kitchen, your design. Once you've installed just the right amount of copper hardware into your kitchen, you'll want to keep it maintained, and there are plenty of recommendations for the best way to clean copper hardware.