3 Steps to Choosing The Right Drawer Knobs for Your Room Decor

From black to zinc, from copper to glass, and what's the difference between brass knobs and bronze knobs anyway, which finish is right for your drawer knobs? This is primarily up to your own taste or personal preference, though most people would take the room decor into consideration as well. The problem is that the majority of people don't actually know all that much about which finishes work with which room decor. In fact, many people wouldn't even be able to tell you which room design their home is fashioned after. Luckily, here is a concise guide to help you find the perfect drawer knobs for your home.

Pewter Knobs

Step 1: Figure out what style you are going for (modern, gothic, European etc.) This has to do with your belongings; furniture, accessories and colors. Even the architecture of the home, with period style arches or modern windows, can affect your choice. It also has to take into consideration your personal taste, be it bold and expressive, casual and comfortable or minimalist. A minimalist will enjoy a more contemporary home, while casual comfort homeowners can rest easier in a more country or rustic style home. Knowing yourself, how you live and what you like will help make this decision a simple one.

Step 2: Consider pre-existing hardware (that will stay) and the rest of your color scheme. This is also important because continuity will sell a theme where as too far reaching contrast will just look tacky or haphazard.

Step 3: Once you've narrowed down the fields a little, browse through your section/s to find the specific models that really work for you. Choose out a few, and see how they look within your home (either via free samples policies or holding up your computer screen to the cabinets!)

Here are a few of the more common room decor options and our design experts' opinions of which finishes would work well with each. *Bear in mind that a theme for one room may look different in another room, so your cabinet hardware will change accordingly. For example, a country style kitchen and a country bedroom will focus on different aspects of this same theme. Play around with the suggestions to find the one that works best with your room setup.

Asian- The Asian room theme focuses on clean order and uncluttered space. Color schemes and finishes could include gold trims, bright red and shiny black lacquer. You can obviously use Asian-inspired designs such as lotus flowers and Oriental symbols as well.

Contemporary- Another minimalist style, contemporary home design takes out all the extras and incorporates clean, straight lines. The look is sleek and smooth. Use stainless steel, polished nickel, satin nickel, matte nickel, polished chrome or brushed chrome. Black nickel is another phenomenally popular choice for a chic, sleek look, and many other black finished drawer knobs will also achieve the contemporary style.

Drawer Knobs

Country/rustic- The country style brings back feelings of grandma's kitchen, cozy family and down home life. What generally works here is darker hardware, copper, bronze or dark woods. More specifically, you can use oil rubbed bronze, antique English, rustic brass, aged bronze, rustic bronze, weathered bronze, aged copper, wrought iron, or aged iron. Just make sure the design of these drawer knobs isn't too ornate because that will detract from the simplistic theme.

Colonial- Colonial period homes bring back the American 1700's look. Create this style easily with wrought iron drawer knobs, handles, and icebox locks. Strap hinges in the same wrought iron will also add a lot to the decor.

Cottage- Cottage themed kitchens and homes are also quaint and rustic, like the country style, but less country and lighter. Use porcelain drawer knobs to highlight the picturesque atmosphere, and include plenty of paraphernalia. Alternatively, use light colors in a weathered finish. Hooks and open spaces also contribute to this theme.

Drawer Knobs

Eclectic (a.k.a. Ethnic)- The eclectic style features different pieces from varying cultures and/or countries. Drawer knobs and pulls in varying bold colors, styles and finishes will contribute to the "out there" persona. Impressive pieces, such as deep, dark wooden drawer knobs, can work well here even if they are not eccentric.

Gothic- Gothic style dates back to the medieval period, but has also become a pop culture trend that focuses on the darker side of life, death and the macabre. Genuine gothic style features powerful figures such as lions, hawks and griffins as well as the fleur-de-lis, a now popular design on many drawer knobs and pulls. Furniture and accessories are covered in deep carvings, and are all ornately done. Focus your attention on drawer hardware made from, or to look like, stone and dark colors. Bronze knobs or brass knobs could work with this theme as well. Red is also a primary color for this period, so you can use deep granite or red glass knobs to enrich the theme. If you already have a lot of black in your furniture or fabrics, you can go with a silver or gold to add contrast.

Black Drawer Knobs

Italian or Tuscan- This is a twist on the American country theme, sort of a revision on the cottage theme discussed earlier with a European flair. Tuscan design uses plenty of raw iron, copper, pewter or marble. Encourage the use of rich but subdued reds, gold, browns and greens. Another form of Italian design is a much richer style with ornate furnishings and more luxurious surroundings. Use elegant cabinet hardware to compliment this version.

Shabby Chic- Shabby chic is a modern invention that celebrates the beauty of simplicity and charm. Items such as doilies and lace curtains are juxtaposed with weathered brass knobs or distressed wooden pieces. This style often incorporates distressing techniques throughout the room, using white or light colors along with antique designs. Use colored metals such as bronze knobs or black to contrast the light colors in this palette.

Drawer Knobs

Traditional- A traditional room theme creates more of a higher end style within the traditional home and will well embrace polished nickel knobs or chocolate brown finishes. You can also use antique glazes if you enjoy this look.

Victorian- The Victorian room decor is a celebration of grandeur in a carefree way. Opulence, deep rich colors, dark wood trimmings and gold tasseled accessories will associate themselves with this room decor. Other descriptions could include floral, frilly and feminine. Cabinet hardware should be dark woods or elegant metals with beautiful and ornate designs.

Retro- Retro styling is a flashback to anywhere from the 40's to the 70's. These rooms highlight shades of brown with orange or green contrasts or black and white with a bold solid color like emerald green or red. Use polished chrome drawer knobs to complete the look.

Of course, not every home will have a specific style or era that it is geared towards. If this sounds like home, your job is even easier. Browse through the finishes, styles and models to choose your favorite. To narrow down your choices, picture in your mind the different materials. Do you like the cool, smooth feeling of glass cabinet hardware? Maybe the solid and confident nickel knobs are more your speed. Pewter knobs combine several styles in one, so this may be a good choice if you are on the fence between several design options. Wood drawer knobs are warm and welcoming. The choice is yours, so have fun and let your personal preference be your guide today.