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As the old saying goes, the kitchen is the heart of the home. If you’re like most people, you likely spend a lot of time in the kitchen — whether you’re cooking a meal, washing dishes, or entertaining friends and family. Therefore, we want it to be a space that we can truly enjoy being in. However, with the cost of a full renovation being so high — or even the high price of updating the countertops, cabinets, or lighting — you may be left feeling like there’s nothing you can do on a budget that will have a noticeable impact. Fortunately, if you’re making that assumption, you’re wrong.

There are a few budget-friendly kitchen upgrades that don’t involve remodeling. One of the easiest, most affordable, and impactful of these is swapping out the old hardware. “I always tell clients that hardware is the jewelry of the kitchen — it’s the final touch that can completely transform a space,” Nikki Chu, a celebrity designer and the owner of Nikki Chu Home, tells House Digest in an exclusive interview. She added, “As we head into 2025, kitchen cabinet hardware is embracing a ‘less is more’ approach — favoring clean lines, sculptural silhouettes, and natural materials like wood, leather, and stone for a more organic, tactile feel.” In addition to speaking with Chu, we also interviewed other design and home improvement experts. Ahead, we’ll share their exclusive insight to help you learn more about the cabinet hardware trends that can give your kitchen an upgrade on a budget.

If you are looking for something unique for your kitchen, you might want to stay out of conventional home improvement stores or even large online marketplaces. “I’m seeing a big trend towards hardware that’s more kitchen jewelry — those sculptural, hand-forged pieces that seem like you’d pick them up at a little artisan shop. People are done with mass-produced, generic hardware. They want something that feels collected and one-of-a-kind,” Jodi Peterman, interior designer, CEO, and owner at Elizabeth Erin Designs, tells House Digest during an exclusive interview. Alecia Taylor, a designer at CabinetNow, also highlights hand-forged pulls and handles as a trending hardware option to consider. “They bring character and warmth and suit homeowners who love a more lived-in, organic feel,” she shared with House Digest. Basically, this trend is perfect for those who’d like to avoid a cookie-cutter kitchen look.

While hand-forged cabinet knobs and pulls can add character and uniqueness to your kitchen, there are some potential downsides you’ll want to consider — one of the biggest of which is their cost. Because they are hand-made and you’ll be able to customize the style and material, these pulls will be significantly more expensive than something you’re just able to pick up off the shelf. Additionally, if you ever add in new cabinets or need to replace a damaged knob, it will likely be much more difficult to purchase one that matches. For this reason, be sure to add a few additional pieces to your order and keep them stashed away in case they’re needed in the future. Compared to a full kitchen reno, unique cabinet pulls are still a more budget-friendly option, but not necessarily the cheapest on the list.

Overly matching finishes are one of the dated kitchen hardware trends that are out. Instead, many of our design experts recommend opting for more blended materials. “I’m also fixated on mix-and-match materials like leather-wrapped pulls or wood-and-metal combinations. It’s a wonderful method for breaking up all the hard surfaces and providing everything with a slightly warmer, more welcoming tactile feel,” shares Peterman. In addition to making the space warmer, Taylor notes how blended hardware choices that incorporate wood, leather, and stone can add both depth and texture to the space. Moreover, she says, “They are ideal for adding a touch of playfulness to sleek kitchens.”

If you’re looking to swap outdated cabinet hardware for a trendy rustic look with mismatched pieces, there are a few things to consider. While your goal is to choose different finishes, you don’t want to go so crazy that you make your kitchen look disorderly or sloppy. Instead, pick a few different styles and materials that you love, and stick with those. You should also think consistency in terms of size and shape. If one cabinet has a small knob and the one next to it has a long, 4-inch pull, the space is going to look very unbalanced.

Finally, consider the overall style and look you desire. For something more rustic, such as a farmhouse kitchen, wood cabinet handles (such as the Indian Shelf Boho Drawer Pulls) and leather ones (like the Lereati Leather Drawer Pulls) could be a good choice. For a more upgraded and elegant look, consider what Kerrie Kelly, an interior design CEO of Kerrie Kelly Studio, previous chair of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), and secretary/treasurer of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), shared when speaking exclusively with House Digest. She said, “We’re also seeing unexpected materials like marble and natural stone making their way into hardware design, lending a bespoke, artisanal touch to cabinetry.” Think outside the box and don’t be shy to make unexpected combinations.

You can say a lot through the hardware choices you make for your kitchen. Small and delicate pieces (or even no hardware at all) can help create a minimalist look, while oversized knobs and pulls can draw attention to your cabinets and make them really standout. “Bigger, statement hardware is making an impact in kitchen design. Wider pulls on cabinets and drawers not only offer easy functionality, but also add dramatic visual effect,” says Taylor. Peterman also highlights oversized knobs and pulls as a good option to consider if you are looking to make a loud statement with your design choices. “My favorite is still Top Knobs. Their newest collections are just chock full of those chunky, oversized pulls that feel and look like furniture hardware — just the thing for pantry doors or wide drawers that need a little presence.” If you lean more maximalist than minimalist, this trend is for you. 

If you’re ready to give this look a try in your kitchen, you have several options to choose from. For example, you could opt for a piece from the brand Peterman recommends. These Top Knobs Ascendra Pulls, for example, are 6 5/16 inches long. They’ll definitely help you achieve that chunkier look. As another option is the Goo-Ki Retro Drawer Pulls. They’re 5 inches long, but have a wider profile than the pulls from Top Knobs, which makes up for the shorter length.

Before opting for oversized hardware, be sure to consider hole spacing. Due to the pulls being oversized, it may be necessary to drill new holes that are farther apart (and fill existing ones that may be too close together). Additionally, if you have a smaller kitchen or some very narrow drawers, oversized hardware may not be the best choice for you, as it could end up looking too cramped on your cabinets.

There are many metal and finish options when it comes to choosing hardware for your kitchen. Matte black has had its moment. You’ll find it in many kitchen styles, ranging from farmhouse to modern to industrial. And, while there is nothing inherently wrong with matte black cabinet pulls or knobs, Taylor recommends going a different direction when making your selections. She says, “Warmer metals like antique brass, bronze, and copper are reigning supreme. Warm and aged finishes give a warm, timeless appearance and work well in traditional and modern kitchens.” Move away from cool or sterile tones, and opt for metals with warm undertones instead. This is a great way to bring some heat and coziness to your kitchen without having to swap out kitchen cabinets or countertops — a touch of warm through fixtures may be all you need! 

So, if you’re trying to craft a farmhouse kitchen without overdoing it, you might opt for antique brass handles or knobs, such as the Khtumeware Antique Brass Cup Pulls or warm copper drawer pulls, like the Xlroaafs Vintage Copper Cabinet Hardware Knobs. For a more modern space, sleek bronze pulls, such as the Goo-Ki Champagne Bronze Cabinet Handles, will be a great fit. If you currently have matte black or stainless steel hardware, you’ll instantly notice how much warmer and inviting the space feels after such a simple change. 

You could also consider opting for textured drawer pulls to add some personalization and excitement to both your cabinets and the kitchen as a whole. Taylor cites this as one budget-friendly upgrade to enhance your space. She says, “Knurled, ribbed, or hammered finishes on handles and knobs offer subtle detail with a lot of impact. These work perfectly to add some visual interest without overwhelming the cabinetry.” Beyond the eye-catching details that textured hardware, such as the GlideRite Hammered Mission Style Knobs, can deliver, textured pulls and knobs offer some additional benefits. While more polished hardware can be slippery or difficult to grip, the textured finish can make them easier to hold onto and use to open a cabinet or drawer.

However, there is one key downside to textured hardware to keep in mind. Because of all of those indentations and markings, cleaning can be a challenge. Dirt and other debris can get trapped in these crevices. Cleaning will be much more involved than the simple wipe down smoother surfaces will need, but if you’re looking for a way to add some contrast and depth to flat cabinetry, it may be well worth it.

If standard bronze isn’t doing it for you, or is too warm and coppery, give smoked bronze a try. During an exclusive interview with House Digest, Massimo Minafle, the founder at Buster + Punch, shared, “Smoked Bronze is one of our most versatile finishes, complementing both classic and modern interiors.” Unlike many other materials, smoky bronze offers some unique characteristics. It is considered a living finish, which means that more and more of the brass metal base will start to show through the warm black exterior over time. The reason Buster + Punch introduced their line of smoked bronze hardware was due to a growing interest from consumers. “By using solid metal hardware with ‘living finishes’ like Smoked Bronze in your home, your touch points are permitted to last longer and add character to your space,” explains Minale. With smoked bronze, your cabinet hardware will evolve with you, which adds a fun and exciting element to something as simple as opening a cabinet.

As attractive and unique as smoked bronze hardware is, it is on the pricier side. So, if you’re looking for a truly budget-friendly upgrade, it could end up being a bit too expensive for your needs. For a similar look that won’t hit your pocketbook quite as hard, you may want to consider oil-rubbed bronze hardware. Like smoked bronze, it is covered with darker finish (then “rubbed” with oil) — though it’ll have more of a warm brown look as compared to smoked bronze’s nearly black hue. You can find both knobs (such as Amerock Oil Rubbed Bronze Drawer Knobs) and pulls (such as the Amerdeco Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Pulls) with this finish.

Brass and bronze hardware are certainly some of the most popular finishes. However, they are far from the only options to consider. Chu says, “We’re seeing a strong resurgence in ‘white metals’ like pewter and nickel, which offer a soft, versatile shine that complements a variety of kitchen palettes.” You could consider adding nickel or pewter hardware to a rustic, farmhouse-inspired kitchen, but these finishes can work in a more modern space as well.

If you’re intrigued by this “white metal” look, then one of the first things you’ll want to do is to decide which finish is the best choice for your kitchen. At first glance, nickel hardware is likely to have a truer silver color. There are both polished and brushed finished options available, which will impact how “bright” that color is. A polished nickel pull, such as the Khtumeware 5-inch Polished Nickel Cabinet Pulls, can deliver a more uniform look in that the metal is sealed and won’t show fingerprints as easily. Brushed nickel is considered a living metal. Over time, it develops a patina for a more aged appearance. Ravinte 5-inch Brushed Nickel Cabinet Pulls are a great option if that’s the route you want to take.

Pewter, on the other hand, isn’t a single metal. It is made by combining different metals (typically copper, tin, and antimony). The metal alloy, as such blended materials are called, will deliver a more antique look to your space. Instead of being that true silver accomplished with nickel, there will be more gray tones in the color. Pewter will also develop a patina as it ages. Consider these Richelieu Provence Pewter Traditional Cabinet and Drawer Pulls for your kitchen, which have floral details. 

If you want your cabinets — and their hardware — to be the real star of your kitchen, then check out pulls with backplates. “I’ve been drawn to the resurgence of backplates on cabinet pulls. This traditionally classic element is being reimagined in fresh, clean ways to add more presence and visual weight to contemporary hardware,” shares Rebecca Ward, a Sacramento-based interior designer and the founder of Rebecca Ward Design, during an exclusive interview with House Digest. If you’re not familiar with what a backplate is, its name pretty much sums it up: It’s a piece of metal (plate) that’s positioned behind the actually knob or pull. “It’s a subtle design choice that suits both transitional and modern styles, offering an elevated, tailored look without feeling fussy,” explains Ward. With backplates, you have more opportunity to let your personal style shine, and lean into whatever aesthetic or finish color you’re going for. For example, if you want to really tap into gold accents, choosing gold hardware with gold backplates will add that extra oomph.

Knobs and handles with backplates, such as the Khtumeware Cabinet Pull with Backplate or the Goo-Ki Dia Cabinet Knob with Backplate, can do more than just elevate the design of your kitchen. They can also be a functional and practical pick. First, if the knobs or pulls you want to use don’t line up with the holes from the old handles, backplates can hide these imperfections out of sight. However, with backplated pulls, you will have more hardware to clean.

Earlier, we discussed some of the benefits of opting for mixed styles and finishes. It can give your kitchen a warmer, lived-in feel to make it a more welcoming space. Rick Berres, a renovation expert and the owner of Honey-Doers, offers a twist to this idea that can help you keep your costs even lower, while still delivering serious benefits to the look and feel of your kitchen. He says, “You don’t need to buy a whole set of brand new, bronze drawer pulls; you can source vintage or second-hand ones — or even free in your local Buy Nothing group — and use them all together for a haphazard, thrown together look that’s actually very chic.” Berres predicts this look will become hugely popular in the near future — and not just for those who only have a limited budget to work with: “Call it recession-core, or just a return to less of a ‘buy new, buy buy buy’ mentality and more of a ‘make do’ and ‘reuse what you have’ tendency.” He adds, “It’s about to be huge.”

As an alternative to purchasing vintage pulls or knobs, you could also consider turning thrifted materials into unique cabinet hardware. Antique brooches, belt buckles, or even chunky earrings could add some character without costing a fortune. Opting for a mismatched vintage look can deliver additional benefits — and remove some of the other stressors that go along with designing a kitchen. For example, you won’t need to worry about whether your faucet should match your cabinet hardware if you have a variety of finishes in the space. Mismatched hardware is both a low-stress and low-cost option that can greatly update your kitchen.