Cabinet hardware comes in a variety of styles to suit your home décor and your needs. When you are shopping for cabinet hardware, you need to remember a few guidelines: What color metal fixtures or details are currently in the room with the cabinets? Do you prefer small or large handles? And how much room is available on the cabinet door?

Selecting a Color

Review the metals in the room with the cabinets. If the cabinets are in the kitchen or bathroom and you have a shiny silver faucet, consider purchasing cabinet hardware reflecting the same color. Follow this same guideline for rooms with copper and brushed silver metal surfaces. You can also choose to match the hardware to the paint in the room. If you have a colorful backsplash, find hardware that resembles one of the shades in the backsplash. Avoid selecting handles or knobs that are the same color as the cabinet paint or stain.

Choosing a Size

Choosing a size for cabinet handles or knobs depends on your preference and the size available on the cabinet doors. Long handles provide a large gripping space. You attach them to the cabinet door in two different locations. You can choose to install long handles to the front of the cabinet vertically along the front side or horizontally along one side of the front bottom. Consider cabinet pulls if you want a superior gripping device. Cabinet pulls are a cup-like structure that allows you to place your fingers inside to open the door. Most of these hardware pieces have a lip on the underside edge to promote a slip-resistant pull. Place cabinet pulls on either the upper or lower corner of the side of the cabinet door that opens. If you prefer small handles, select a knob. A knob can take on a variety of shapes. Knobs provide a small surface for gripping and only require a single screw. The benefit of using a knob is that it does not require a large amount of space on a cabinet door and you have a couple of options for placement. Place knobs on the bottom corner of the door on the side that the cabinet door opens on for cabinets that hang at eye level and above. You can place the knob in the center of the side of the door if the cabinet hangs only at eye level. Cabinets that hang near the floor are best suited with a knob at the top corner on the side that opens.

Source:

Keidel Supply: Cabinet Basics -- Door Hardware

Wise 4 Living: Selecting Cabinet Hardware