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5 Things Interior Designers Should Know About Decorative Hardware


Cabinet Hardware (aka Decorative Hardware) refers to the handles, pulls, and knobs used to open and close cabinets and furniture. Ranging from the standard bar pull to specific designer handles that fit individual themes, cabinet hardware serves a dual purpose as both the jewelry of the home, as well as a functional item that is in most new builds or renovations, an absolute necessity.

Five things you need to know:

  1. There are many styles from classic to contemporary

  2. The finish should look good and be relatively comfortable to the touch

  3. There are options for texture in decorative handles

  4. When measuring for handles, centre-to-centre measurement is the most important

  5. We travel the world to bring you the latest in cabinet hardware

1. Marathon Has 4 Classifications of Decorative Hardware

To assist you in finding the right handles, pulls, or knobs for your design, we have divided our selection of decorative hardware into four unique categories. Depending on the style you are going for, we have the right product for you. Choose from Classic, Transitional, Contemporary, and Designer models.

Classic - a variety of best-selling, traditional designs. You can quickly update your current kitchen with a complementary style in one of our on-trend finishes or add a rustic touch to your newly renovated space.

Transitional - bridging the gap between Classic and Contemporary styles. Comprised of smooth, sleek lines and old-fashioned detail, the transitional category cohesively blends yesterday with tomorrow, giving you the very best of today.

Contemporary - a wide selection of modern designs that embody sleek, flowing lines and on-trend finishes. These diverse knobs and pulls can bring life to your space by adding a modern touch to your design or complementing an overall fashionable theme. 

Designer - incorporating cutting edge European design, original combinations of materials, and on-trend finishes. Sparking imagination and creativity, this innovative collection will become a starring attraction of your space by complementing every type of cabinet door, from the sophisticated modern to the stunningly intricate.

2. Finishes

Finishes on cabinet hardware are nearly unlimited. However, the average homeowner isn’t looking for crazy colours or designs. They want something that looks good, is relatively comfortable to touch, and works without issue. While the latter two have more to do with the design of the handle, at least 50% of the aesthetic is due to the chosen finish.

There are essentially only a few major aspects to consider when choosing a finish for your cabinet hardware. How far you would like to go beyond that is totally up to you.

  1. Do you want to complement or contrast with the cabinet colour?

  2. Does the finish match the overall theme of the space?

  3. Do you want to match with other metal fixtures? (e.g. faucets, light fixtures)

  4. Does the finish match the emotion of the handle design?

Among Marathon customers, the five most popular finishes are Brushed Nickel, Oil Rubbed Bronze, Polished Chrome, Matte Black, and Brushed Brass/Champagne. While these five finishes represent our top sellers, as a design professional, you have the opportunity to select the finish that fits your creative vision.

3. Textures

Most handles available have a smooth texture, however, there are some handles available that strive to be more than a smooth aluminum or zinc. The Graf2 by Viefe has a unique knurled texture that gives the homeowner a better grip on the handle itself. It is an excellent choice of hardware that provides a beautifully on-trend aesthetic, a choice of three complementary colours, and the added functionality of a virtually non-slip texture.

Flexa is another handle/pull available from Viefe that has a unique texture. Made of beautiful leather, the soft, warm feel goes well with living room and bedroom furniture.

4. Measuring Handle Lengths

Size ranges of cabinet hardware are available to complement many different length and heights of drawer faces and doors. Handle and pull lengths will vary, but it’s important to keep in mind the difference between centre-to-centre length and overall length.

Overall length will vary from handle to handle based on multiple factors including design, shape, and mounting hole placements. To a designer, the overall length is understandably more important than centre-to-centre, as the aesthetic needs to work visually. While a handle’s drilling points may fit the space, the overall length may be too long.

When it comes to installing cabinet hardware, the centre-to-centre measurement is definitely most important. Centre-to-centre gives an exact measurement of how far apart the mounting holes are. This is measured from the centre of one hole to the centre of the other. These measurements are also standardized, giving builders only a few possible lengths to work with. It minimizes the amount of drilling jigs or measurements that need to be programmed, while maximizing efficiency and consistency.

Standard sizes range from 96mm to 192mm, although in some circumstances there are even longer centre-to-centre lengths. Occasionally handles like the long versions of the Brave by Viefe (600mm, 1040mm and 1150mm overall length), there are four mounting holes to offer rigidity and secure it properly to the cabinet or furniture.

Regardless of the application, keeping both types of measurement in mind will simplify the job and keep your manufacturer happy.

5. Marathon is Constantly Expanding Our Decorative Hardware Selection

We are always striving to offer the best designs and finishes to complement the design trends of today and tomorrow. From Spanish designer, Viefe, to the widely popular Amerock, to Marathon’s own ever-expanding selection, we are constantly working to exceed expectations and inspire creativity.

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