How to choose cabinet hardware? Part II - material

In the second part of our guide to choosing furniture handles, we present the available materials - from metal and plastic to wood and natural leather.

Metal furniture handles

The material also determines, to some extent, the style of the handle or knob. Classic ones will most likely be made of metal: nickel-plated or chrome-plated steel, lacquered or aged brass, in a polished or brushed finish. A less popular metal, but one currently gaining popularity, is copper - here we will more often find models with a simple form, as well as those stylized as industrial, reminiscent of copper pipes used in household installations.

Metal handles can, of course, also have modern or even completely minimalist forms (for example, edge handles, which, alongside the tip-on system, are the epitome of discretion) - the material offers a wide range of possibilities. What's more, it can be lacquered in any color or supplemented with decorative inserts, e.g. made of enamel or mother-of-pearl.

Plastic handles

Plastic is similarly versatile, allowing for unlimited imagination when it comes to forming the final product, but it is somewhat less resistant to mechanical damage, such as scratches.

Furniture handles made of natural materials

For those seeking originality and natural materials, the market offers wooden handles (made of solid wood of various species or plywood - cut into any flat shapes and stained in various shades of brown) and still gaining popularity natural leather handles.

The latter can take various forms and colors, although they usually remain in a palette close to colors found in nature, and are usually complemented by steel or brass fittings.

Wooden and leather handles will be warmer and more pleasant to the touch than metal or plastic, but it should be remembered that such materials require care and periodic maintenance with appropriate products.

Summary

Finally, it should be remembered that furniture handles made of different materials can be combined. For example, brass handles pair perfectly with leather handles, especially in shades of brown, and even better when complemented with brass fittings.

Pictured: Lade Ny #1 furniture handles in black leather