Posted by Edward Curtin on October 17, 2018 
So, you’ve picked the cabinet color, style and finish… What about accents and hardware? It’s fun and rewarding to personalize your new cabinetry with decorative elements. With beautiful accouterments — perfect for proclaiming a design theme — our Kitchen Design Center staff can direct you to the right cabinet accent pieces that bring your vision to life.
Learn more about accents and hardware, as well as the terminology you’ll need when shopping, to help find the finished look that is right for you!
1) HOW DO I CHOOSE ACCENTS?
FEET AND LEGS
Show a little leg! These decorative leg elements are perfect for anchoring an island. And furniture-style cabinet accents, such as legs or decorative feet, go a long way towards making a big statement.
SPLIT TURNINGS
Small details reap big rewards. Split turning options can transform tall cabinets, sink or cooktop cabinetry into your defined design theme.
VALANCES
With a wide variety of decorative valances to choose from, they can be the perfect cabinet accent to use repetitively — at the window, in the toe space or as garnishment for an island, to name a few places, to continue your theme.
ONLAYS
Decorative onlays are the perfect cabinet embellishment to complement your style. Meant to add panache to various cabinetry components — there are a variety of Omega design themes available to peruse. Shown is the traditional Celtic Small cabinet onlay from Omega: endlessly adaptable, the folkloric weave brings warmth to any room.
Let your GNH Designer show you how decorative onlays can be used to tell your story.
CORBELS
Decorative corbels pack a big punch. With many design themes to choose from, they are the ideal support for countertops, mantel pieces, and shelving. Hard working and good looking — an unbeatable combination! Shown is the Pinnacle Small Corbel, Style B, from Omega for a Craftsman Style touch.
WOOD HOODS
Let functional design make a powerful statement with a beautiful vent hood that commands attention. Your GNH Designer will help you choose from Omega’s selection of stunning designs, like this Concave Wood Hood. A hood with elegant curves can break the rigidity of linear cabinet lines and contrast strongly with wall paint and tile backsplashes to add visual interest.
2) WHAT ABOUT HARDWARE?
So, you’ve made a cabinet selection… now add the perfect touch! Decorative cabinet hardware is a lot like jewelry: it can add just the right accent to a well-thought-out ensemble. Omega offers many kitchen cabinet hardware styles including knobs, pulls and appliance pulls as well, making it easy to complete your design theme. Here are a few examples:
KNOBS OR PULLS?
Maybe a combination of both! Your GNH Designer can guide you on the best cabinet hardware selection for your composition, taking into consideration your chosen door style, drawer front details and the interior finishes within your home.
hARDWARE FINISH
When it comes to kitchen cabinet hardware material and color, let the rest of the components in your home be your guide. Interested in mixing finishes? Happily, today — almost anything goes — alleviating a right or wrong combination. Your GNH Designer can guide you on the most artful cabinet hardware choices to complement your entire home.
TIPS FOR POSITIONING CABINET HARDWARE
- For a flat center panel door, staying even with the horizontal rail is a is a good starting point — hold up the cabinet door hardware piece and let your eye make the final choice.
- For wall cabinets with a raised center panel style door, set the knob or the bottom of the pull (top of pull on a base unit), directly across from the flat of the center panel.
- With a mitered door, never position the cabinet door hardware in the lower corner where the mitered joints meet.
- For drawers, if the hardware is of average size — 3″ to 3 1/2″ wide — a good rule of thumb is to position one piece of cabinet hardware on drawers that are less than 24″ wide, and two pieces per drawer front on those that are over 24″ wide.
Sources: https://www.omegacabinetry.com/style-design/desired-details/cabinet-accents; https://www.omegacabinetry.com/products/embellishments; https://www.omegacabinetry.com/style-design/desired-details/cabinet-hardware
Dreaming of a New Kitchen or Bath?
Are you ready to make bring your ideal kitchen or bath to life? Would you like to design a custom space to meet your family’s needs? Browse our beautiful Latham showroom or schedule an appointment with a GNH Designer to discuss your project particulars!
