What color hardware goes with a white kitchen? Interior designers share their favorite combinations
Elevate white cabinets with these designer-approved hardware finishes
If you're wondering what color hardware goes with a white kitchen, you'll be glad to know it offers some of the most versatile options. This neutral hue pairs with warm and cold tones, as well as more colorful designs.
If you're searching for white kitchen ideas to inspire a complete renovation or a simple refresh, hardware is the finishing touch that completes the aesthetic you're trying to achieve. But sometimes, with so many options, it can be difficult to decide what color hardware to pair with your white kitchen.
To help you narrow down your options, we've asked interior designers for their go-to hardware color for a white kitchen – and their choices include a pairing to suit almost any interior design style.
What color hardware goes with a white kitchen?
A white kitchen is one of the most popular kitchen colors – versatile and transitional, you'll find this neutral hue fits into many kitchen styles. The kitchen hardware you choose is one of the main components that differentiates your kitchen's aesthetic, so making the right choice is key to a successful scheme.
1. Gold
Some hardware colors can create a classic feel to a white kitchen. A warmer hardware finish like gold can instantly elevate the scheme and instantly make your kitchen feel more luxurious.
'Hardware finish always depends on all aspects chosen for a design, but I do have a soft spot for gold! It seems to add warmth to an all-white space and give it a little more character. I also think it's softer on the eyes and therefore can help give your design a better flow,' says Cathleen Gruver, of Northern Virginia-based design firm Gruver Cooley.
Kitchens can often feel colder and more sterile, so introducing gold hardware can counteract that, and add a subtle contrast. 'Doing this can help warm up your space and give it a less sterile feel that all white cabinets tend to give off,' she adds.
2. Chrome
This year, the chrome decor trend has sparked the revival of cool-toned metals. And while they fell out of popularity as gold and brass tones took center stage, chrome kitchen hardware has long been a favorable choice for a white kitchen.
'White is a timeless color for kitchen cabinets and is a great backdrop for a multitude of hardware finishes. For a more modern kitchen, we love to combine white with a chrome finish. This gives a wonderfully fresh look to the kitchen,' says Jayne Everett, creative director at Naked Kitchens.
Chrome hardware creates a more modern finish in a kitchen, but paired with a classic cabinet style, such as shaker style, they can combine to create a more transitional kitchen scheme.
3. Brass
If you want to achieve a more traditional white kitchen design, the hardware you choose is key. Opting for something with a heritage feel that will patina beautifully over time will create a more classic appeal.
'Choosing a golden metallic finish for the hardware can add warmth to a white kitchen. There are many gold and brass options, but if you want something darker and more distinctive, consider kitchen hardware with a bronze finish,' suggests Nigel Palmer, of House of Rohl.
Brass hardware, while still warm in tone, has a deeper finish than gold, and adds a more traditional aesthetic. It will also help to tie in other darker materials within a white kitchen, such as dark wood flooring or ceiling beams.
4. Matte black
Monochromatic schemes are a tasteful yet dramatic way to add contrast to a space. And if you're searching for black and white kitchen ideas, white cabinetry can look really striking when paired with matte black hardware.
'White is an extremely versatile color and can therefore be paired with a range of finishes and colors. For a more contemporary look, a matte black finish creates a monochrome scheme that is both practical and minimalist,' says Paul Clifford, managing director at Croft.
Black hardware can also add a more industrial feel to a white kitchen, especially with a matte finish. Black and white is a great pairing if you like to switch up your kitchen decor regularly, as these two classic colors match almost every color palette.
5. Wood
An emerging kitchen trend, natural wood finishes are becoming increasingly popular, adding natural appeal and a softer finish to schemes. They also pair beautifully with white kitchen cabinets, a combination championed by Scandinavian kitchen design.
'For a great Scandi look, timber works wonderfully, especially when used as a feature such as our long bar handles for tall cabinetry. These also combine well with both brass and chrome finishes for the base and wall cabinetry,' says Jayne.
In this kitchen, white cabinets on the far wall have been fitted with extra-long wooden cabinet handles, which add a statement feature. Complimented by the wood flooring, the space feels warm and inviting.
White kitchens pair wonderfully with a range of hardware colors, but there are some combinations interior designers and kitchen experts favor. So, whether you prefer a traditional scheme, something more modern, or even pared-back Scandi designs, there's a hardware color to suit every white kitchen scheme.
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
I joined the Homes & Gardens interiors team at the start of 2024 as the kitchens & bathrooms editor. My undergraduate degree was in Magazine Journalism and Production, which I studied at the University of Gloucestershire. Before joining Homes & Gardens, I worked for two interiors titles across both print and digital channels, writing about a range of topics from room design ideas and decorating trends to timeless kitchen schemes and the best places to source pre-loved homeware.
-
Love farmhouse style? These are 6 colors that always work with this timeless rustic look (and no they aren't all cream)
Does your farmhouse design need a splash of color? Ditch the creams and rethink tradition with these beautifully rustic shades
By Isabella Charlesworth Published
-
Now that it's December, I'm nesting for the holidays – that's why I'm upgrading my bedroom with these cozy buys from Pottery Barn
Cuddle up in the winter weather with these festive sheet sets, cozy quilts, and fuzzy blankets − you might even save some money in the Pottery Barn sales
By Emilia Hitching Published
-
10 Dutch oven mistakes that make me cringe (and a chef's tips on how to avoid them)
From using metal utensils to preheating without oil, avoid these Dutch oven mistakes to protect your pots and yourself
By Lydia Hayman Published
-
Can you bake a cake in an air fryer? I put the latest tech to the test
The short answer is yes, but you need to follow these air fryer baking tips and tricks
By Lydia Hayman Published
-
7 things interior designers say you don’t need in your kitchen – and the features that should replace them
There's lots to consider when designing a kitchen, but according to experts, these things shouldn't be included
By Molly Malsom Published
-
Kitchen libraries are the new way to add character to your scheme – and these five designs are perfect examples
Interior designers share their favorite ways to introduce bookshelves to a kitchen
By Molly Malsom Published
-
6 ways to add character to a kitchen that has none, according to interior designers
The kitchen is the heart of the home, so make yours feel warm and inviting with these characterful updates
By Molly Malsom Published
-
What's the most timeless kitchen hardware? These are the designs that transcend trends, say interior designers
Ensure your kitchen scheme never dates with these designer-approved hardware choices
By Molly Malsom Published
-
Can you (and should you) mix kitchen cabinet hardware? Expert tips on how to nail this eclectic trend
A playful way to add interest to your kitchen scheme, but will this trend endure? Here's what the experts have to say
By Molly Malsom Published
-
What should I put in the corner of my kitchen? Interior designers share their favorite ways to fill these tricky spaces
From decor to coffee corners, interior designers are full of fun ideas to make use of an awkward kitchen corner
By Molly Malsom Published