Hey y’all, it’s your boy Joe here, and I’ve got a funny story for ya. So I’m renovating my kitchen, right? And I’m tryna make it look all fancy and whatnot.

So I’m at the hardware store, and I’m like “Yeah, I need all new hardware for my kitchen, but it’s gotta match, you know what I’m sayin’?” And the guy behind the counter is like “Sure thing, Joe.

We got all kinds of finishes. Chrome, brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, you name it.” And I’m like “Sweet, hook me up.”

So I go home, and I start putting all the new hardware on my cabinets and drawers and whatnot, and I’m feeling pretty good about myself.

But then, I get to the last cabinet, and I realize that I grabbed the wrong finish for the handles. So now I got chrome handles on like half my cabinets, and oil-rubbed bronze on the other half. And let me tell you, it looked like a hot mess.

It was then, I realized that I had a big question, Does all the hardware in a kitchen have to match?

The Short Answer

The short answer is no, it doesn’t have to match. But, it sure as hell should if you don’t want your kitchen looking like a clown car.

Mix And Match

Now, I know some of y’all might be thinking “But Joe, if it doesn’t have to match, then why not just mix and match all willy-nilly?” Well, just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

Sure, you could have one cabinet with a chrome handle and the next with a brass knob, but it’s gonna look like you just grabbed whatever was closest.

If you’re gonna mix and match, you gotta do it with a plan. Maybe have one finish for the cabinets and a different finish for the drawers.

Or have all the hardware be different, but in the same finish family. Like, all brushed nickel but with different shapes and sizes of handles and knobs.

The Fun/Interesting Fact

Here’s a fun fact for y’all, did you know that the most popular finish for kitchen hardware is oil-rubbed bronze? It’s true, it’s like the little black dress of kitchen hardware.

It goes with everything and always looks good.

FAQ

Q: Can I mix metal finishes in my kitchen?

A: Sure can, just make sure it’s done with a plan and not just grabbing whatever is closest.

Q: Is it okay to have different hardware on different cabinets?

A: It’s totally fine as long as it’s part of a cohesive plan and not just random.

Q: What’s the most popular finish for kitchen hardware?

A: The most popular finish is oil-rubbed bronze. It’s like the little black dress of kitchen hardware, it goes with everything and always looks good.

Conclusion: The Bottom Line

So, in the end, the hardware in your kitchen doesn’t have to match, but it sure as hell should if you don’t want it looking like a hot mess.

Mixing and matching can be done, but it should be done with a plan and not just grabbing whatever is closest. And if you’re ever unsure, just remember, oil-rubbed bronze is always a safe bet.

But, remember, it’s your kitchen, do what makes you happy. Just don’t come crying to me when your guests can’t stop staring at your mismatched hardware like it’s the elephant in the room.

Thanks for reading, y’all. Happy kitchen renovating!