After dealing with the heavy lifting of kitchen renovations, choosing kitchen cabinet hardware is a fun task, but one that requires a bit of forethought.

Stylish pulls and knobs add another level of panache to your cabinetry.

The interest in do-it-yourself home projects imparted a mindset that every detail has a decorative opportunity, and cabinet fronts are no different. There are literally thousands of styles of hinges, knobs, and pulls, also known as handles, from which to choose.

However, there are some functional decisions that trump design. The following questions provide a starting point for your selection process.

• Are white drawer knobs the best choice in a house full of children?
• Would wider pulls be better for older hands to grasp than small knobs?
• Just because hot pink is trendy, will it look as fresh five years from now?
• How much can I reasonably spend per piece: $2.50? $5? $10?
• Can I do the installation myself?
• Do I really need gold leaf fleur-de-lis cabinet pulls, or would a standard look be sufficient?
• What style really accentuates my décor?

Hardware can be found in a variety of finishes, including:

• Aged bronze
• Antique copper
• Ceramic
• Corian
• Enamel
• Glass
• Iron
• Nickel
• Pewter
• Polished chrome
• Polished, sterling, or antique brass

A general style guide is that contemporary looks are enhanced by shiny metal, enamel, or themed hardware. Traditional homes incorporate more of pewter, antique or polished brass, or nickel finish in hardware and fixtures.

Identifying your true wants ahead of time lessens the chance you’ll be overwhelmed by choices while looking at the displays or online.

Here are a few handy tips to keep in mind when shopping for kitchen hardware.

• Light cabinets reflect dark hardware best, and dark cabinets are accented well with light finishes. This knowledge helps you narrow down your selection to a few major choices.
• If you’re refacing existing cabinets or just replacing hardware, take along an old pull or knob to ensure you buy the right size.
• Make a cardboard template of your doors and drawers to use as a guide for spacing and positioning.
• Measure the depth of a cabinet door compared to a drawer facing. Depending on the wood and substrate used, there may be a difference in screw length.
• To paraphrase master carpenter Norm Abrams from “This Old House,” “count twice, buy once.” Carefully review every kitchen surface to make sure you don’t miss a necessary door or drawer pull, especially if placing a special order.

More modern cabinet models have mortise hinges permanently installed on the inside of the door. The finish generally complements the exterior kitchen cabinet hardware but more importantly, aligns properly with the style of the door and depth of the closing.

Lowe’s website has a detailed pictorial on selecting the proper hinges and catches.

Here are some general guidelines for applying kitchen cabinet hardware.

• Complete all exterior touches, including painting and staining before applying new hardware.
• If the new pull or handle is a different size than the old, fill in the former space with a sliver of a wooden dowel rod and wood putty, sand smooth, and finish the exterior resurfacing.
• Even if you’re following the outline of existing hardware holes, measure again when attaching new pieces.

Local hardware stores and home improvement centers carry a wide selection of hardware options. A primary advantage to shopping in person is you can carry in your cabinet template and old hardware with you and make direct comparisons.

However, online retailers have the largest selection, by far. Here are just a few examples:

• Knob Gallery carries top manufacturers as well as artisan and novelty pieces.
• Cool Knobs and Pulls has a great selection combined with free shipping on orders over $85.
• Kitchen’s Unlimited features other types of miscellaneous hardware in addition to knobs and pulls.
• Kitchen Source specializes in traditional finishes as well as glass and rock knobs, and offers a free shipping deal on orders of $100 or more.
• House of Antique Hardware is a helpful source for restoration hardware.

Prices for cabinet hardware extend over a wide range. Basic features start at $1.50, but designer models or special mortise hinges extend up to $40 or more per piece. Do some comparison shopping to uncover price breaks through different retailers or pieces within desired design features.

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