Do I Need to Select Matching Hardware for my Remodel? – As you plan your home renovation, you may be faced with a decision about hardware finishes. Especially in bathrooms and kitchens, but even elsewhere in the home, you may want to update the hardware or change the look by choosing a new color, style, or finish. If you are looking at your options and wondering whether selecting matching hardware finishes or multiple styles is better, we can help you decide.

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To learn more about selecting the right matching hardware for your remodel, keep reading.

What qualifies as hardware?

“Hardware” is a catchall term for all the metal finishes of your home. Your door knobs, faucets, shower heads, drawer pulls, cabinet handles, and lighting all have metal components that can come in a variety of finishes.

The hardware you choose will make the most significant design impact in rooms with lots of hardware, primary the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry room. However, all throughout the house there will be hardware to consider, at the very least on your door knobs and lighting fixtures.

What finishes can I choose from?

Hardware can come in just about any color or finish you want. There are basically 4 categories of hardware finishes to choose from:

Polished hardware has a bright and shiny look, like chrome. It gives a sparkling clean aesthetic, but can have a builder-grade or budget-friendly look in some cases. It also requires consistent upkeep and polishing to keep it from showing water spots and other imperfections.
Brushed hardware has a distinctly metallic look, but without the polished look that shows every water droplet or finger print. It comes with a slightly higher price tag, is lower maintenance, and offers a classic look.
Satin hardware is very similar to a brushed finish, and the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. The main difference lies in the method of manufacturing; brushed hardware is literally brushed with a tool that makes tiny abrasions to the surface, while satin hardware is treated with a lacquer that dulls the shine and preserves the finish.
Living hardware is designed to offer an antique look over time, as a natural patina gradually develops. This is a popular choice for historic homes or newer homes that are designed with traditional architecture and looking to adopt a vintage aesthetic.

While there are always ways to custom order or make additional colors, standard hardware choices include brass, chrome, nickel, bronze, and black in one of the 4 types of finishes listed above.

Is it important to have matching finishes throughout the home?

As you look at your options, you may find that you are drawn to more than one hardware style. Many clients wonder if they should stick to one hardware finish to carry throughout the home or mix and match.

The simplest answer is that there are no rules saying you have to have one type of hardware throughout the entire home. In fact, in some cases this can make a home look basic or thoughtlessly designed rather than fully finished. The key is to choose the right finishes together for an overall look you will love.

Some tips to help you choose your home’s hardware:

All interior door hardware should be one finish. This includes door knobs and your front door handle, peep hold, hinges, and any other metal components.
Choose contrasting finishes when they are in the same room. For example, chrome and brushed nickel are too close to one another and don’t make sense all in the same room together. Matte black and brass, on the other hand, will provide a nice contrast.
Consider making all hardware of one type the same finish. In a kitchen, you might want all cabinetry hardware to be black, while plumbing fixtures and lighting are brushed nickel.
Limit your choices to 2 finishes in a room to avoid a haphazard, unfinished look.

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For all renovation services in Calabasas or remodeling contractors in Thousand Oaks and surrounding towns such as Hidden Hills, Universal City, Bel Air, and renovations in Canoga Park, Contact SK Home Design and Remodeling. We are experts in kitchen remodels, bathroom upgrades, home additions and all contracting services in Sherman Oaks and Lake Balboa.