Brass kitchen hardware is one of the most versatile and common kitchen hardware options on the market. While gold and silver have been trending in the past, brass kitchen hardware is trending today.

The reason for this is that brass is sturdy, affordable, and naturally a warm color. But how much else is there to know? This complete guide will cover everything from cleaning brass to the best brass kitchen hardware you can buy.

Brass Kitchen Hardware Design Inspiration

Before we get started, let’s take a look at some gorgeous kitchens that use brass kitchen hardware. This will give you an idea of how to use brass hardware and how it will look in your kitchen. Who knows, maybe you’ll create an entire vision of your future kitchen.

Blue and White Kitchen

Copyright Kelly Martin Interiors – here.Image from Nicole White Design – here.

This blue and white kitchen is gorgeous. The combo of blue and white is extremely popular in kitchens, but it’s usually done with silver hardware. In this case, we see brass hardware which adds a warmness to the kitchen.

Brass Hardware With Black

Design inspiration from Elizabeth Lawson Designs.Design from reDesign Home. Picture from here.

Brass is known to go well with black. You may think that all metals go well with black, and the truth is, you’re right. While black may look good with any type of metal, brass is one of the few that stand out against it, bringing out the best in the color.

Brass Hardware On White Cabinets

Decor from Titus Build

While brass looks great on black, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t look amazing with white too. White can often look flat unless paired with the right accents. In this case, brass was the perfect accent. Notice the brass sink that really shines!

How To Choose Kitchen Hardware

Choosing kitchen hardware can be daunting. While it may not look like it will make a big impact on the final result of your kitchen, it really will. Everything ties to the hardware you use. The color, material, and style matter.

Matching The Sink Hardware

Image found on site.

Often, when people buy hardware for their kitchen, they forget to buy a matching sink faucet kit. It’s important that all of the hardware in your kitchen match, even the faucet for the sink. Remember to learn how to install a sink faucet before you buy!

Types Of Hardware

There are a few basic types of hardware to use on your kitchen cabinets. Each type is different and serves a different need. Do your research and read below to find out what works best for you.

Pulls

Pulls look like a standard handle and are usually placed vertical on doors and horizontal on drawers. They have an easy grip and are easy to clean. Pulls are wonderful for kids as they are easy to grab onto.

Knobs

Knobs are quite common and usually spherical. They don’t have a handle but instead give you a shape to grab onto. If your kid tends to hang onto a pull, then a knob is a safer choice. Knobs are also less flashy than pulls.

No Hardware

Not using any hardware isn’t typical, but it is becoming more popular, especially in minimalist homes. If you don’t like to clean hardware, or if you want a sleeker look, then consider not using hardware. You can always add it later.

Mix Of Hardware

This look is often chosen because you can mix and match different types of hardware, giving you more freedom. You can add knobs to drawers and pulls to doors, or vice versa. You can even alternate them.

Types Of Warm Metal

Typical metals include stainless steel, iron, and silver. These metals are cool due to their grey hues. Other metals, like brass, give off warm hues. Because of this, they are often used in the kitchen and living room.

Gold

Gold is the most common warm metal, although most “gold” hardware isn’t real gold at all. If you do decide to use gold instead of brass, make sure you know whether you’re getting real gold, gold-plated, or just gold-colored hardware.

Copper

Copper has a reddish hue. It works well with other red colors and oranges. It’s generally more expensive than bronze or brass but has a unique, rich color that you can’t find anywhere else.

Bronze

Bronze is much like brass only it has a brownish hue to it. It’s cheaper than copper but still has the warm tones that copper does. Bronze is darker than brass and one of the most affordable warm metals.

Brass

Brass is the metal of the day today. It is stronger than copper and has a goldish hue. If you want a golden look without it being too bright, then brass is the perfect solution. Not to mention it’s much more affordable than gold.

Unique Brass Kitchen Hardware

Since we’re focusing on brass hardware today, let’s take a look at some of the best brass kitchen hardware that you can get. These pulls and knobs can be purchased at Wayfair and are almost always available.

1. Prestige Center To Center Cabinet Pull

You can’t go wrong with this Prestige cabinet pull. The design is simple yet elegant and it comes in four different sizes. The brass is a rich brass color and the simplistic design goes with any type of cabinet.

Pros:

Versatile DesignRich ColorGood Weight

Cons:

Not Super Fancy

2. Birdcage Knob

The Birdcage Knob is one of the most unique brass kitchen hardware knobs you can find. Most knobs are traditional and vary little, but this one is special. Inspired by the birdcage, it will make you feel set free.

Pros:

Easy To GripBetter Than PicturedCan Be Placed Horizontally

Cons:

Spins If Not Installed ProperlyMight Need Better Hardware Screws

3. Worlds Away Cup Pull

This cup pull is one of the few high-end cup pulls available. It comes in brass and nickel, both equally pleasing to the eyes. The company, Worlds Away, prides itself in only using the highest quality materials.

Pros:

ElegantHigh QualityBeautiful Finish

Cons:

Lightweight

4. Amethyst Center To Center

If you want something that will blow the minds of your visitors, then try these amethyst center-to-center pulls. Created by Stephen D. Evans, these crystal pulls come in quartz, raw crystal, and more.

Pros:

Gorgeous Genuine CrystalsDeep Colors

Cons:

Very Little Actual Brass

5. Cilento Center To Center

The Cilento comes in over 10 finishes, including antique brass. Cilento is a region in Italy on the Campania coast with its own unique dialect. Adopting these pulls is like bringing a slice of Italy into your kitchen.

Pros:

Inspired By Italy10-Year WarrantyHand-crafted

Cons:

Grooves make it hard to keep clean

6. Trellis Center To Center

The Trellis pull has a smooth finish with a simple curved design. The ideal of the pull is to create the perfect balance between simple and extravagant, vintage and modern, elegant and whimsical. With this pull, the company has done a good job.

Pros:

Versatile designSleek finishInspired by Nature

Cons:

Not for flashy kitchens

7. Alno Center Bar Pull

The Alno pull is wonderful for kitchens with open windows over the sink and white countertops. It was designed for those who want a touch of metal but want their focus to be on something lighter.

Pros:

Clear bar blends in wellWorks with breezy kitchens

Cons:

Better for bathrooms than kitchensLittle brass showing

8. Celtic Center To Center

Another pull with almost ten finishes, the Priemer Hardware Designs Celtic pull is unlike any other. The heavy-duty design works well in kitchens with dark colors and the design will merge well with other patterns.

Pros:

Sturdy buildVersatile patternMultiple finishes

Cons:

Not great for lighter kitchens

9. Sforza Novelty Knob

As far as novelty knobs go, Sforza has one of the nicest sets available. Most novelty knobs are just that, novelty, and nothing else. But these unique knobs by Vicenza Designs are one-of-a-kind. The knobs have wings, adding an entirely new effect.

Pros:

Unlike any otherWings addedComes in two-toned

Cons:

Not as solid as other knobs

10. Cobblestone Center To Center

The Cobblestone by Top Knobs looks just like cobblestone. That fact gives it a cottage look while the flat design makes it look modern. It is this balance that makes it one of the most popular pulls available.

Pros:

Comes in six sizesFlat designContemporary feel

Cons:

No complaints

How To Install Kitchen Hardware

It doesn’t take an expert to install kitchen hardware, but it does require some knowledge. These simple steps will get you through the toughest part of brass kitchen hardware: installing that hardware.

Measuring

The golden rule is to measure twice, cut once. You’ll need to measure your cabinet, drawers, and doors. Write the measurements down, and make sure to include every nook and cranny.

It’s a good practice to enlist a friend and have them measure everything separately and compare measurements.

Afterward, you put a piece of tape in the center of the drawer or cabinet, as well as one where you want the hardware to be. This will work as a guideline and reminder when marking the cabinets.

Creating A Template

An easy way to make sure your measurements are correct is to create a cardboard dummy. Cut out a piece of cardboard that’s the same size as your drawers and doors. Use it to practice on and make marks where you should drill.

Drilling Holes

If your cabinets do have holes for hardware or if you’re switching hardware types, you’ll need to drill holes. Use the dummy that you made to see what the hardware will look like. You can even make holes in the dummy.

After you are sure you’ve got it right, it’s time to start for real. Get a clamp and a small two-by-four and clamp the board to the back of the door or drawer. Drill the hole that you’ve marked and let the board soak up the pressure.

The board is used to prevent accidents like injuries or unintentional holes. You can skip this step if you’re comfortable using a drill.

Fastening

Most hardware kits come with screws or bolts. They also come with instructions. But if yours doesn’t, take the hardware to a home improvement store and let them find the right screws.

From there, you use the holes that you made, making sure to use a screwdriver to check for security after you finish.

How To Clean Brass

Real brass isn’t that difficult to clean. But you do need to know what substances work and which ones are safe to use on metal like brass. These natural cleaners are probably in your home right now!

Yogurt

Yogurt is one of the most unusual ways to clean brass. What you do is soak the brass in yogurt for a few hours and then rinse it away. It works because the lactic acid in yogurt breaks down the tarnish.

Salt And Vinegar

Salt and vinegar are the best combinations for most types of indoor cleaning. The vinegar dissolves rough spots while the salt acts as a scrub, washing away surface spots. Use this combo to clean most metals.

Ketchup

Because ketchup is made with vinegar, it works similar to salt and vinegar when used to clean brass. It helps that ketchup is also made with tomatoes, another acid that is used for cleaning and removing odors.

Lemon Juice And Cream Of Tartar

Lemon juice is the acid here while the cream of tartar is a byproduct of winemaking. It’s ironic that wine is so hard to remove from clothing and yet cream of tartar is such a great natural cleaner.

Brass Polish

The most for sure way, yet the most expensive way, to clean brass is to buy brass polish. The instructions are clear and you can buy the cleaner at most grocery and home improvement stores.