When it comes to home design, the small details often have the biggest impact. While furniture, flooring, and wall colours usually receive the most attention, it’s the hardware, like handles, knobs, hinges and pulls, that quietly ties everything together. Choosing the right hardware for your home can elevate your interior design and add a refined, cohesive feel to each room. Here’s how to select hardware that complements your interior style beautifully.
Understand Your Home’s Aesthetic
Before selecting hardware, take a step back and assess your home’s overall aesthetic. Are you drawn to the clean lines and minimalism of a modern home? Or does your space feature the rustic warmth of a farmhouse style? Perhaps you’re working with a classic Victorian, with all its ornate charm.
Each design style has its own ideal hardware characteristics. For example:
- Modern homes benefit from sleek, simple hardware in matte black, brushed nickel or polished chrome.
- Traditional interiors look best with classic finishes like antique brass or oil-rubbed bronze.
- Industrial spaces often feature exposed hardware in dark metals with a raw, unfinished look.
- Scandi or minimalist designs pair well with understated pieces in muted tones or natural wood.
Match Finishes Thoughtfully
Consistency in finishes helps unify your home’s look. While it’s not essential that all hardware throughout the house be identical, it’s wise to maintain harmony in each space. For example, matching the kitchen cabinet handles to the tap finish can create a sense of balance and thoughtfulness.
Consider how your door handles, cupboard knobs and even window latches will coordinate with your light fittings, appliances, and other metal accents. Mixing metals is possible, but it requires a deliberate and well-balanced approach. Typically, limiting to two finishes per room ensures the design doesn’t feel chaotic.
Don’t Overlook Practicality
As much as appearance matters, function is equally important. Consider how the hardware feels in hand. Comfort, grip, and sturdiness should all meet your expectations. This is particularly true for frequently used pieces like door hardware. Well-designed door handles should not only match your décor but also stand up to daily use while offering ease of operation.
Use Hardware to Add Personality
Hardware is a fantastic way to inject personality into a room. In spaces that are neutral or minimal in design, ornate or decorative handles can serve as statement features. Think glass knobs in a vintage bedroom or hammered brass pulls in a rustic kitchen.
Conversely, if your interior is already rich in pattern or colour, streamlined and discreet hardware will help balance the visual weight.
Quality Over Quantity
It’s tempting to cut corners with budget hardware, but investing in high-quality fittings is worth the cost. Premium hardware not only lasts longer but also feels more substantial and adds a layer of luxury to your home. Quality materials like solid brass, stainless steel, and ceramic age beautifully and offer enduring style.
Rounding Everything Up
Hardware is the finishing touch that can subtly enhance or dramatically transform your home. By carefully considering style, finish, and functionality, you can ensure your choices work in harmony with your interior vision. Whether you’re renovating a period property or modernising a contemporary flat, choosing the right hardware is a small decision that has a significant design impact.