SOURCE: Apartment Therapy
The world of interior design is ever evolving and sometimes it’s hard to stay on top, even for those of us who work in the industry. It’s exhausting to keep track of the trends of today knowing that by the end of the year something else will have replaced this “must-have” item. And that doesn’t even factor in the expense of trying to stay on top of trends. There’s one item in our home that doesn’t seem to be quite as affected by the desire for change and that thing is hardware.
From kitchen faucets to drawer pulls to our front door handle we select a finish and then never look back. I’m not encouraging you to change things but instead, consider these finishes before you renovate so you won’t be left with hardware that doesn’t feel like you or match your interior.
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What Makes Hardware Timeless?
SOURCE: Kitchenware Sets
As with any material, hardware becomes timeless when it stands up to time and still shines bright even years or decades later. It’s more than just the appearance of something old but instead, it’s about durability and a high quality finish. The finish is integral to hardware’s ability to stand the test of time. Timeless finishes improve with age whereas cheap finishes chip and flake and bring down the surrounding environment.
If you’ve ever seen an old door knob or a drawer pull made from nickel, brass or bronze you’ll notice how the natural patina adds to the appearance and makes it more appealing as it ages. This is vastly different from a poorly constructed piece of hardware that we see in a lot of new homes.
Classic Hardware Styles Have Longevity
SOURCE: Pinterest
Simplicity tends to be the key factor when selecting hardware that will stand the test of time. Round knobs and cup pulls have been used for kitchen cabinetry for such a long time because the simple practicality of their silhouette aged well over the years.
Try to avoid hardware pieces that are overly detailed and intricate. Not only are these impractical (who wants to clean those?!) but they likely will date your home just years after they’ve been installed.
If you’re hoping to create a home that feels timeless then always go for hardware that feels simple with clean lines and interesting shapes. If you really want to dial up the classic feeling you can add backplates to your hardware for a timeless look and feel. These are the timeless shapes that will always be in style:
- Classic Drawer Pulls
- Cup Pulls
- Classic Round Knobs
- Lever Handles (for doors)
- Round and Oval Knobs (for doors)
What to Consider Before Selecting a Finish
SOURCE: Belle
The first thing to consider is the style of your home. If you lean more modern you likely will prefer a finish with some shine (polished nickel) whereas a more traditional setting will benefit from a more matte finish (unlacquered brass).
Next, ask yourself whether you want the hardware to stand out against the cabinetry or do you prefer it to blend in seamlessly? Satin brass on a blue door is going to stand out and become an eye-catching element whereas white cabinetry with matte nickel finish will blend together more seamlessly without drawing too much attention to the hardware finish.
Can You Combine Metal Finishes?
It might seem risky but if you combine finishes with intention you’ll create a beautiful, polished look. The goal here is to create something that doesn’t draw attention to the fact that you used multiple metal finishes. You want the finished space to have such a seamless look that nothing stands out. It just creates a gorgeous finished product. Read this post to learn more about combining metal finishes perfectly.
WONDERING HOW TO RENOVATE A KITCHEN WITHOUT GOING OVERBOARD? READ THIS POST
Hardware Finishes That Feel Fresh in 2026
Most of us head over to our nearest big box store and look at what they have to offer. It’s understandable because this is fast and economical but are you finding what best suits your home? Once the hardware is installed we just forget about it and carry on but this simple purchase might be responsible for keeping your home looking dated or just plain boring. These are my favourite hardware finishes that will look fresh in your home in 2026.
1/ Polished Nickel
This is undeniably one of the most iconic and classic finishes for hardware. It offers radiance to every room while still feeling classic and timeless. Having said that, this finish is perfect for homes that lean towards modern. The shine offered by polished nickel is perfect for rooms with dark cabinetry that could benefit from some additional brightness.
Works Best: Looks best in modern or transitional spaces
Pairs With: Slab doors, high gloss cabinetry. Pairs well with neutrals or dark colours
Pro Tip: Fingertips are more evident with glossy finishes so be prepared for a bit more cleaning.
2/ Unlacquered Brass
This is an iconic finish that will never, ever go out of style. The reason unlacquered is preferred is because of the patina that evolves over time. You’ll never get that patina with a lacquered finish because the protective layer of lacquer prevents the hardware from any exposure to the elements. Unlacquered finish is referred to as “living finish” because it will continue to evolve over time which adds an interesting story to your home.
Works Best: Traditional or transitional spaces although a very well designed modern space looks extra chic when unlacquered brass is included.
Pairs With: Shaker cabinets and any neutral but earthy tones.
Pro Tip: Avoid big box stores and opt for specialty hardware retailers to get a piece that truly has no lacquer.
3/ Oil Rubbed Bronze
This finish is normally dark brown to black that can often contain warm hints of copper. It’s also the most traditional finish of all of the group. This is another example of a living finish and it will deepen in colour over time. Occasionally, there will be some additional lighter spots evolve over time but generally its patina leans dark and dramatic.
Works Best: Looks exceptional in modern farmhouse or traditional spaces.
Pairs With: Warm wood cabinetry as well as light paint finishes.
Pro Tip: This is a low maintenance finish so use it in powder rooms for less exposed fingertip marks.
4/ Brushed Gold
This is the most modern of all the finishes on the list but it does seem to have some longevity so it’s included in this list. This matte finish adds a lot of warmth to spaces because the soft gold leans very warm. This finish does look great on white cabinetry but it really shines when paired with deep blue, green or black cabinets.
Works Best: Modern or glam spaces will benefit from a gold finish.
Pairs With: Looks great with white cabinetry and marble countertops.
Pro Tip: This finish can have an exceptionally sophisticated look but be sure your hardware selections are classic and not too busy.
I hope this helps to clarify for you just how you can narrow down your selections and pick the perfect finish for your home’s hardware. If you’re still feeling stuck and would like some help with your home, contact me. I would love to discuss your space and how I can help you achieve the best from your home.
