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Cabinet Hardware Finishes: A Color Guide for Selecting Knobs & Pulls
Choosing where to place hardware is only half the story. This guide helps you choose the right finish—organized by color families—with real-world pairing tips, style notes, and quick recaps.
How to choose cabinet hardware gets plenty of attention (we cover knobs vs. pulls here). But finish matters just as much—sometimes more. Below, we group best-selling finishes into four color families to make selection simpler.
- Earth tones
- Grey tones
- Golden tones
- Dark tones
The Earth Tones: Bronzes, Browns & Coppers
Antique Copper
About the finish
Warm brown-red base with hand-applied patina to emulate age; subtle piece-to-piece variation adds authenticity.
Pairs well with
Walnut, maple, oak, alder; whites and cool paints (muted blues/greens) and even monochrome “fire” palettes (cherry, pine, mahogany).
Where it shines
Modern farmhouse, traditional, country-chic—and surprisingly at home in contemporary spaces when used in clean silhouettes.
Antique Copper Recap
- Purposefully aged; reddish/brown base with black patina
- Works with natural woods, cool hues, and warm reds/oranges
- Great alongside stainless, slate/black appliances
Oil-Rubbed Bronze
Shop Oil-Rubbed BronzeAbout the finish
A classic, warm “living finish”—expect gentle color change with use. Ours leans chocolate-brown with ruby-copper edge highlights.
Pairs well with
Cool paints (blues/greens), whites/greys, and all common woods. For drama, contrast with autumn brights (yellow, orange, red).
Oil-Rubbed Bronze Recap
- Deep brown with coppery undertones; living finish
- Works in Craftsman, farmhouse, new traditional, contemporary
- Versatile across neutrals, cools, and vibrant palettes
Antique Brass
Popular Antique Brass PullAbout the finish
Golden base muted with warm brown undertones and antiquing for a softly aged, low-luster look.
Pairs well with
Taupe/khaki “new neutrals,” stainless/black appliances, and bold colors like emerald or cobalt.
Antique Brass Recap
- Authentically antiqued; earthy golden-brown
- Perfect with taupes & neutrals; also complements bold color
- Works from cottage to boho to minimal and European classic
Brushed Antique Brass
Shop Brushed Antique BrassAbout the finish
Medium-to-dark muted brass with brushed texture; warm golden undertone with brown/green cast—adaptable and “chameleon-like.”
Pairs well with
Light/dark woods, whites, earth paints, even black. Mix with copper, iron, nickel, or brass lighting/faucets.
Brushed Antique Brass Recap
- Warm brassy tones with subtle brush lines
- Reads darker or lighter depending on light/surface
- Fits traditional, arts & crafts, farmhouse, and modern
The Grey/Silver Tones: Silver, Nickel & Chrome
Antique Silver
Shop Antique SilverAbout the finish
Smoky silver with black patina to echo naturally oxidized silver; often in decorative, vintage-leaning styles.
Pairs well with
Natural woods, whites, taupes, slate/charcoal; stainless, iron, copper, satin nickel accents.
Antique Silver Recap
- Darker silver with blackened details
- Great for old-meets-new kitchens & furniture rehabs
- Also available in clean-lined cups for modern cottage
Polished Chrome
Popular Chrome Cup PullAbout the finish
Bright, mirror-like silver with a faint cool cast—neutral, crisp, and incredibly versatile.
Polished Chrome Recap
- Pairs with everything; ideal for mixing metals
- Reads bold on dark woods; subtle on white shakers
- Fits any style from modern to traditional
Satin (Brushed) Nickel
Shop Satin NickelAbout the finish
Timeless soft silver with warm undertones and low reflectivity; blends effortlessly and never steals the show.
Satin Nickel Recap
- Plays nicely with stainless appliances
- Complements whites, woods, pastels, brights, darks
- Available in the widest range of styles & sizes
Weathered Nickel
Customer-Favorite PullMuted, mid-silver with darker accents; sits between antique silver and satin nickel—classic or contemporary depending on silhouette.
Weathered Nickel Recap
- Neutral-warm silver; easy with taupes, beiges, woods
- Pairs with stainless, black, and matte black fixtures
- Works from cottage to transitional to farmhouse
The Golden Tones: Gold, Brass & Champagne
Brushed Brass
Best-Seller Bar PullModern, soft yellow-gold—nothing like high-gloss ’80s brass. Pretty without being flashy; jewel-tone friendly.
Brushed Brass Recap
- Pairs with whites, black, pastels, and woods
- Great starting point for mixing metals
- Fits vintage to contemporary spaces
Brushed Gold
Shop Brushed GoldSoft, pale yellow-gold with moderate sheen; luxe but current. Gorgeous with mahogany and other rich tones—and crisp on whites.
Champagne Brass
Square-Edge PullBalanced light gold with sandy undertones—inviting, understated, and incredibly versatile across light neutrals and deep paints.
Gold Champagne
4392GC PullGolden with toasty beige depth—sits between bright gold and earthy neutral. Pops on dark paint; melts into taupes/greys.
Gold Family Quick Hits
- Brushed Brass: warm modern classic; great mixer
- Brushed Gold: pale luxe; modern & traditional
- Champagne Brass: ultra-versatile, soft & welcoming
- Gold Champagne: balanced, dramatic on darks
The Dark Tones: Blacks & Slate
Black (Matte & Flat)
Modern Flat Black PullDesign’s most universal “neutral.” Matte black is deep and non-reflective; flat black is near-matte with a whisper of sheen.
Black Recap
- Works with every cabinet color and style
- Great on whites, haze tones, and dramatic black-on-black
- Star of the show or subtle accent—your call
Black Nickel
Glossy, reflective “slate-black” with silvery cast; more dramatic than standard black. Black Nickel Recap
- High-gloss, statement-making finish
- Lovely with light woods & whites, stainless/black appliances
- Not just modern—surprisingly versatile
Graphite
Deep gunmetal with subtle green/earth undertones; luxurious and distinctive. Graphite Recap
- Pairs with pastels, neutrals, and rich woods
- Great in Art-Deco, industrial, modern/transitional
- Dramatic yet adaptable; slight sheen
Quick Selector: Which finish should I pick?
- Want timeless + flexible? Choose Satin Nickel or Polished Chrome.
- Want warm, modern glam? Try Brushed Brass or Brushed Gold.
- Want depth & contrast? Go Black, Black Nickel, or Graphite.
- Leaning rustic/handcrafted? Pick Antique Copper or Oil-Rubbed Bronze.
- Building with taupe/khaki neutrals? Antique Brass or Champagne Brass.
FAQ: Cabinet Hardware Finishes
Do finishes have to match my faucet and appliances?
No. Coordinating looks polished, but exact matches aren’t required. Many designers mix metals—e.g., satin nickel with stainless, or champagne brass with black faucets.
What’s the difference between matte black and flat black?
Matte is deep and non-reflective. Flat is similar with a whisper of sheen. Both coordinate across styles; choose based on the amount of gloss in your space.
Is “brushed” the same as “satin”?
In cabinet hardware, brands often use them interchangeably. Both indicate a low-luster, non-mirror finish (e.g., satin/brushed nickel).
