Contemporary Cabinet Hardware

As the popularity of do-it-yourself home improvement has grown, a big task and investment - such as updating a kitchen - no longer seems impossible. Indeed, many homeowners are renovating their homes with open, modern designs and sleek, polished lines. And when it comes to finishing contemporary cabinets, the decorative hardware options are many.

Today's home cabinet hardware comes in a veritable bevy of materials: aluminum, glass, ceramic, brass, stainless steel, copper, iron, nickel, chrome and bronze - and beyond that, finishes can be polished, aged or antiqued.

Some of the most popular options for contemporary kitchens, which often include striking stainless steel appliances, are coordinating stainless steel, brushed chrome or aluminum knobs and pulls with a futuristic look. High-gloss metals and bright enamels are smart choices as well; they can subtly blend in or take center stage as a design theme.

If your cabinets, however, are brightly colored themselves, consider a simpler, streamlined brushed metal pull (though do make sure you note the type of hardware your cabinets will support).

When opting for standout cabinet hardware, consider truly spotlighting it with pointed lighting - or simply echo it with an unexpected floor lamp. Inside your cabinets, beef up cabinet practicality (and personalize them even more to your lifestyle) by utilizing inner-cabinet hardware such as drawer slides, mounted trash bins, and cutlery trays.