By Suzana Mikolova 
Designing your new kitchen includes many different items, and it is easy to overlook some of them. One very important aspect of kitchen design which can add a personal touch to your kitchen is the choice of cabinet hardware. This choice is so important that most builders do not even put hardware on the cabinets, leaving this critical choice up to the buyer.
I will almost guarantee that you are not aware of all the choices available to you for cabinet hardware. From simple knob pulls to custom made, personalized cabinet hardware, your choices are unlimited. The finishing touch provided by your choice of cabinet handles and drawer pulls can be the item that truly sets your kitchen apart from your friend’s or neighbor’s kitchens. Let’s look at some of the options available to you.
The simple knob drawer pulls and simple door handles are still the mainstay. These classic hardware items can be of any metal, painted to match your cabinet color, or made of wood to match you cabinets. You can keep your kitchen simple, yet elegant with simple classic designs, allowing for easier resale down the road.
You can define your personal style that makes a statement. Simple designs made of unusual materials will make your kitchen unique. Knobs made of crystal, colored glass, or exotic woods will ad visual interest to your new kitchen. You can use unexpected shapes for your drawer pulls to make your kitchen fun and whimsical. Balloon shaped drawer pulls, paper clip door handles, or crayon colored hardware will keep your kitchen a fun place to cook.
Cabinet hardware can proclaim to the world your special interests. Hardware in the shape of grape clusters can tell the world of your love of wine, chicken shaped hardware will match the rooster collection in your country kitchen, or rose shaped drawer pulls proclaim your love of gardening. Anything you can imagine can be used as cabinet hardware to personalize your kitchen.
You can let your inner artist create truly unique hardware for your kitchen. I’ve seen actual fishing lures used as drawer pulls by an avid fisherman. I’ve heard of a geologist who had his kitchen cabinet hardware made from agates that he had collected over the years. This type of personalization will make your kitchen a one-of-a-kind kitchen, and may bring you a tremendous amount of satisfaction every time you use your kitchen.
I’m just trying to broaden your horizons to the endless possibilities available for a truly unique kitchen that’s personalized. For additional ideas on the types and styles of cabinet hardware available, contact a kitchen designer or cabinet manufacturer. They may be able to find exactly what you are looking for, or give you ideas that you may not have considered before.
It may seem like the decision on the type of cabinet hardware that you add to your kitchen is a small item, and I am making far too much out of it. Maybe I am, but this little decision can turn a good kitchen decor into a great kitchen decor. And most people won’t even know why your kitchen seems so put together.