Q: My boyfriend and I just got done painting our kitchen cabinets. They had been white with wood trim and they're now all white. But we can't decide whether to add hardware. I think it's a nice finishing touch to cabinetry. He argues, and I understand his point, that the former wood trim has a lip that's meant to be the way to open the cabinets and that adding hardware will make them look busy.
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Tell your BF that if he's willing to touch up your paintjob every few weeks - you're willing to go without hardware...
...because without handles, your fingernails will chip the paint..
Hardware would be redundant, and judging from the photograph, the the indentation in the bottom of each panel ought to be sufficient. I think you've done a terrific job; the result is quite handsome as it is. Quite possibly you used a durable paint and the chipping alluded to will be no more than on any other painted piece of furniture, but certainly not something that requires weekly attention with a paintbrush.
I think some hardware would be a great addition. The white-with-wood-trim cabinet look is very dated and something you have done well to disguise by painting the cabinets all white. I think by adding hardware, you will disguise their former look even further.
In this house call, the kitchen started out with the same wood-trimmed cabinets, but the owner painted them and added knobs. Seeing this house is what inspired us to paint our cabinets and add knobs as well. I highly recommend adding the hardware, to improve both appearance and function (to protect the paint from chipping as mentioned above, and to keep it clean) http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/house-tours/michaels-michigan-cottagehouse-call-112054
I think that if you did something super simple, like a plain brushed nickel, it would look nice.
Hardware, please. It looks so nice now. But the white won't stay a pristinewithout hardware. Even with the leftover built-in grooves, you will end up with chipped, worn, soiled areas wherever you put your hands frequently.
This is the voice of experience talking.
I agree that the bottom lip will get grimy and smudgy and look dirty pretty fast. Either add the hardware or paint the lip a darker color like charcoal or something along those lines -- something that would hide the smudges.
no hardware, i agree it would be redundant. i understand why you want it but they are what they are with that lip there and all. i don't think hands chipping the paint is a huge issue.
definitely hardware. i suggest long modern handles hung horizontally just above the existing "handle".
definitely hardware, and I think coristyle's idea is a good one.
Hardware. Maybe not round knobs, but something more oblong so that it accents the lip the doors already have... Maybe even those pull bar-type handles that span the width of the cabinets/drawers? In a nickel finish. Just my opinion.
I say no hardware for now, and when you guys eventually splurge to upgrade to happier cabinets overall a few years from now, you can make sure to pick a clean style that plays nicely with hardware. I don't think the chipping/smudging will be too big an issue, especially if you let the BF know that the compromise is for you both to be a little careful and mindful of having clean hands, haha. Good luck!
I considered this for a whilte, and then decided that IMO, because you don't have a minimalist design in your kitchen, good hardware would add a layer of interest, the way a handful of tasteful accessories finish a living room. Chose hardware in line with your faucet and it will look pulled together.
If you do choose not to use hardware, do consider a nice thick coat of polyurathane on those finger gutters to protect the paint and keep it looking nice and bright.
I think the real visual challenge is the yellow paint. Consider painting your walls white, too. The counter is almond and that clashes with the yellow. That's what I think makes things look a little busy in there.
We have almost the exact same look, and put on really simple brushed aluminum pulls from HD. Were only like 2 bucks apiece, and it looks great. I think they look bare right now... like a palate for something pretty.
seeing the link to that house call in the comments I am 100% pro hardware. Great thinking painting those cabinets by the way! I have seen the befores of that style and always wondered how one could successfully update them!
To me, they look a little stark, and I'd add some simple hardware. But no reason to rush - why not live with them for a few weeks and see what you think then? Maybe the smudging will be an issue, maybe not.
It looks like it's missing something as is, so I vote hardware.
YES! u did a great job making those dated cabinets look more modern w white paint, but they look naked w/out hardware. plus, it is SO much more pleasant to open a door w a lovely knob or handle that feels good in ur hand than w those awful "finger gutters" (perfect description, urbancricket!)
Another vote for hardware. the cabinets look like they need a little sumthin sumthin.
My vote is for simple hardware, but how about living like this for a little while and see how you feel about it?
You can always add hardware later.
"I think some hardware would be a great addition. The white-with-wood-trim cabinet look is very dated and something you have done well to disguise by painting the cabinets all white. I think by adding hardware, you will disguise their former look even further." - Beckela18
This.
i vote hardware. the link posted above also sealed that deal for me as well. but imo i like pretty hardware so i would have voted for it anyways.
another vote for hardware. it's more practical and looks better. I really like how the kitchen in the house call referred to above looks and it's a similar kitchen.
No way :)
Save your money and replace the countertop instead. If you used the right paint, fingerprint smudges will wipe right off the doors.
With that lip there, it's going to look like there are two handles on each door. I think it would be a crazy look!
I went and looked at that house call. What a dumb look, with the non-matching extra handles on doors that already have built-in handles. You need to change the doors if you really want kitchen cabinets with hardware. But why would you? Those are so nice.
Yes to hardware! To misquote the Dude: they'll really tie the room together.
Go for something exotic...maybe a local craftsman can do some iron forged knobs, each one a different design. Support your local arts!
Test the no-hardware solution for a month, then re-evaluate.
My cousin is a contractor who has re-done a lot of kitchens. He says using your fingers to pull open drawers and cabinets ALWAYS ruins the edges. He says every kitchen he's seen with that feature needs new drawer fronts and cabinet doors, even if the owners want to keep the old cabinetry.
Personally... I can't decide .. both options - with or without hardware , have its pros and cons...
Maybe you'll have to decide which option suits you best when using the kitchen.
If you don't want to add hardware, I would suggest you to use your decoration skills :)
May use adhesive foil in aluminium colour right on the former wood trim.
Something like this in the photo:
http://www.china-kitchen-cabinet-doors.com/images/products/201024141142812w600h600uJiuda/18-20mm-kitchen-cabinet-door.jpg
http://www.kdcuk.co.uk/assets/products/large_Continental%20Matt_AluminiumTrimMN.jpg
... or if you want hardware on the cabinet doors, suggest you to use these kind of handles :
http://www.ec-promos.com/usimg/57/63us1/kitchen-light--aluminium-illuminated-box-shelf-133.jpg
http://www.kdcuk.co.uk/assets/products/large_MattonellaGlosStoneBlackMN.jpg
.. and thus the lips of the trim will be disguised :)
It's a real coin toss! I thought going away for a day and coming back would give me a little perspective. But it didn't. Good luck with this and please post again to let us know what you decide!
Don't worry about the hardware right now until you get new countertops and see if you even notice the bright white, bare cupboards anymore. I feel like now, they only really stand out because they're so bright and stark by comparison and the counter is so dingy looking now that you have this fresh white paint on your doors!
Live with it awhile first, too!
Nice job!
I'm a fan of hardware. It gives it that nice finished look and makes everything match even more.
White cabinets without hardware remind me too much of the '80s low-end condo kitchens with the cheap white laminate.
hardware- gives it a bit more detail and interest; i think you're boyfriend is disguising cheapness as practicality
I'm a little late to the party here but I like the idea of long horizontal handles, perhaps centered perfectly, if they don't reach side to side.
And may I suggest repainting the yellow while you've got the brushes out? something in a blue -- the color of the tile, but several shades lighter. It would begin to pull things together, create a look... and would diminish the importance of the counter color. Something blue with a bit of green in it. Make the kitchen blue and white, sleek and modern. You clearly like the color. If you can change the lightswitch cover to a navy blue it would disappear a bit.
I know exactly what those cabinets looked like to begin with -- bravo for tackling them. Hideous!
I vote for hardware - because if my kitchen cabinets were white, they would be permanently dirty. I am not the neatest cook and I always try to find something in the last minute. There would be stains on the cabinets. If you are both neato cooks, I assume you can live hardware but personally I could not.
Nice paint job!
The paint has been scraped off around my hardware, so the argument that the doors will stay cleaner & the paint will hold up better doesn't work in my kitchen. Sure, the hardware would add interest, but I'm sure you can find something else to do that. Paint over the yellow wall, please. It does not work.
Oh dear, yes to hardware!
The edges of the cabinet doors will begin to look dirty very soon.
No hardware is like going out without earrings.
Accessories finish the look, and as someone said, add another layer of interest.
Knobs and handles make it easier to get in and out, and can be a unique design detail.
I would add hardware. The white paint will show smudges constantly and will never look clean, especially in the kitchen where your hands are always covered in something. If you did a good job priming and painting it may not chip, but it will forever be smudgy (technical term). That's why the manufacturer designed those portions of the cabinets in unpainted wood -- unpainted wood doesn't show smudges. Same goes for a handrail or banister.
You are worried about it looking busy, so I am assuming you probably wouldn't like my suggestion of wrapping the trim pieces in a cute or bold colored tempaper? If so, then I say just go for cute porcelain knob pulls. You could even get them in white so they don't interfere with the trim.
no hardware ....
Yes to simple hardware and agree that the yellow paint needs to go. Excellent choice, painting the cabinets!
Unless you want to keep breaking your nails on those finger-pull cabinets, go with the hardware.
I vote for no hardware. I don't use the hardware on my kitchen cabinet doors. I open and close them by pulling and pushing their edges. It doesn't hurt anything. I think keeping strictly decorative elements to a mimimum in a kitchen can be good.
Yes, your fingers and nails will leave marks...so a quick solution I invented is EZ Slide Cabinet Hardware. Slide on handles that require NO Drilling to install. They come in various colors and finishes, and are competitively priced.
Renters love them because the landlords don't mind. And you can take them with you to your next home. Oh and they are made with recycled materials.