Bronze, brass and black cabinet hardware are trending. While there are similarities between their warmer (and, often, darker) appearance, they're not interchangeable.
Whether you're interested in knobs, pulls, or handles, demystifying these options will help you understand which works best in your kitchen to provide the extra style punch you're looking for.
We've created a category for each metal, including details about what it is and where it looks best - but remember, there are no tried-and-true rules about what has to go where, so feel free to design outside-the-box.
Bronze is really an alloy (a combination of two or more metals). Most of the time, it's made by combining copper and tin. In order to increase hardness or depth of color, manufacturers may add iron or pewter to the mix.
Bronze fixtures come in multiple finishes:
Where does bronze look best?
More often than not, you'll find bronze hardware in traditional, farmhouse, Mediterranean or Old World kitchens because it adds an antique look and feel.
Another alloy, brass is used by blending copper with Zinc and other trace metals. You may see the words "solid brass" (or solid bronze) used in descriptors. In these cases, solid refers to "not hollow."
Brass also comes in a range of finishes. While polished brass isn't particularly popular right now, the rest of the brass finishes are.
Where does brass look best?
Brass is an ideal way to warm up modern and contemporary kitchen designs, and is used less often in traditional designs. However, traditional kitchens leaning towards contemporary/transitional may purposely use brass for that very purpose, adding an up-to-the-moment accent.
Obviously not a metal, black hardware is made by applying a black finish to another material - usually offered in a shiny or matte finish, both are trending right now.
Materials used to create black hardware span the gamut, including:
Where does black hardware look best?
Black hardware works with just about any kitchen design. That being said, black knobs and drawer pulls really shine in traditional and farmhouse design, and can be a great way to add stylish contrast in an all-white kitchen.
Would you like assistance selecting the right drawer and door hardware for your kitchen remodel? Torn between bronze, brass, black or otherwise? Come on by the Kitchen Magic Showroom or schedule a consultation and our design pros are happy to help.
Interested in learning more about cabinet hardware, and how to coordinate it in your kitchen? Here are some helpful related articles: