Cabinet Handle Colors and Finishes Trends in 2025  

The New Year is finally here, and now is a good time to create new furniture or update existing cabinetry! The year 2025 brings forward the latest trends for kitchen hardware colors and finishes. Something as simple as swapping handle colors can go a long way in enhancing the room’s appearance. 

Following the most in-demand styles can help with any kitchen spruce-up project. These hardware pieces are small but have a huge impact on the overall aesthetic. With color and finish combinations working harmoniously, cabinet handles can instantly uplift the kitchen layout. Dive into the latest trends right now!

Popular cabinet handle colors

Giving the kitchen a new look or creating new cabinetwork will require choosing the best cabinet handles for the design. Trendy kitchen handles are the finishing touch to freshly built cabinets and drawers (Learn: Different Types of Kitchen Cabinet Handles & Finishes). For older furniture, updating the kitchen cabinet hardware colors can do the trick at a more affordable cost. 

This section provides some basic and creative suggestions to consider for this year.

White cabinet handles

For clean modern spaces, using white cabinet handles can provide an air of sophistication. It looks pristine and easy on the eyes, which are two things that will satisfy a minimalist’s senses. This trend for 2025 is suitable for no-nonsense furniture that requires simple and subtle hardware. These fittings will never get drowned out by other design elements.

Opting for matte white finishes is another solution since this style can match various layouts. Although plain-looking, white pulls, and knobs can pop out when applied to certain themes. For instance, if the cabinetry uses darker finishes, the touch of white on the handles can provide an eye-catching accent to it.

Black cabinet hardware

Throughout the year, black hardware for kitchen cabinets never left the trend. It’s a classic that stands out without effort, especially when used in contrast to the door panel color. Like white, black handles are versatile and can match any kitchen style. It has a striking appeal yet is neutral enough to not overpower the aesthetic of the cabinets.

When paired with lighter cabinet colors, black handles become a prominent feature, making the furniture more memorable. Black also pairs well with darker cabinets, creating a sleek and handsome highlight to the overall look. It matches both traditional and contemporary themes, especially when using white cabinetry.

However, skip black cabinet handles if children are likely to run around the kitchen. This color shows sticky finger marks clearly, which would require more frequent cleaning than usual.

Rose gold cabinet handle

A step up from gold hardware, rose gold hues create a more charming appeal to the furniture. This color is luxurious and has a unique shine that goes well with high-end layouts. It creates a bold and timeless piece that elevates the visual appearance of the kitchen. These fittings are exquisite and very attention-grabbing when installed on white cabinets.

Rose gold is a popular choice for jewelry, and the same is true for kitchen makeovers. It’s a trend for 2025 that looks absolutely stunning on light-colored cabinets such as white cabinets with gold hardware. Pairing it with stainless steel and black appliances can help the color glow brightly.

A metallic touch to any furniture, rose gold knobs, and pulls draw the eye to every detail of the layout. For instance, gray kitchen cabinets with gold hardware can get an updated look when swapped for rose gold. This color is also pleasing to the eyes and can help to relax the senses.

Silver cabinet handles

Silver cabinet handles can never really disappear from the trends list year after year. It’s a mainstay that expert designers and DIY enthusiasts love to use. In a way, they look like bejeweled accessories for furniture. Silver handles are layout-neutral, which means designers can apply them to virtually any style. The color has a special sheen to it that compliments white kitchens impeccably.

Silver-toned handles like nickel, chrome, and more are fabulous pieces suitable for modern country designs. The coziness of the space blended with silver accents combines old and new elements, making every detail harmonious.

Aside from their stylish value, silver handles are highly durable even when handled regularly. Also, it does not wear out as easily as some other colors. It’s a chameleon since it’s hard to find designs that don’t go well with silver.

Green cabinet handles

An interesting inclusion to 2025’s emerging cabinet hardware colors is the green-toned handle. It’s not the typical hardware color and may raise some eyebrows, but it’s the best colorway to achieve a standout accent. Think about this: instead of black cabinets with gold hardware, why not try a green-hued handle with a muted or matte finishes?

Green cabinet knobs and pulls can appeal to a person’s creativity, making one’s mind brainstorm possible color combinations. Of course, green handles on white cabinets are a safe choice. However, if there’s a chance to experiment, green knobs paired with brass-hued cabinets are an interesting mix.

This color is a way to keep the kitchen updated with the latest trends for the new year. It’s a bold choice that leaves a lasting impression on guests. For designs using shades of green, this type of handle will fit right into the theme!

Purple door knobs

Purple-colored door knobs for cabinets are another rare option that furniture designers dare to include in their schemes. After all, this color is an attention stealer in many ways. It’s one of the most visually attractive hues that are ideal for decorative pieces like vases or frames. Purple handles are the risk anyone may want to challenge themselves with this 2025.

Only a few may say that purple is the best choice when talking about color knobs for dark brown cabinets. However, the point of this bright and bold accent is to emphasize a portion of the kitchen. For example, a bar nook can feature purple knobs to enhance the visual quality of this commonly overlooked section.

Gray Series

Modern kitchens heavily depend on gray handles which come in various shades. Dove gray works as a light gray option which unites with white and light cabinets to establish a peaceful contemporary space. The neutral gray color works well with different cabinet tones because it provides versatile matching options. Dark charcoal gray or graphite gray stands out powerfully while establishing visual tension between the lighter kitchen cabinets so modern design elements become more apparent. The impression of industrial style or refinement emerges from kitchen spaces through the usage of metallic gray finishes such as gunmetal or brushed nickel.

Blue Series and Green Series

Modern kitchens are increasingly adopting the blue series as an alternative to traditional green kitchen designs. Blue tones that lean toward soft dusty shades or gray-blue create peaceful environments which establish a comfortable atmosphere. Navy blue has a sophisticated appearance which becomes elegant when combined with white or light wood cabinets. Sage green and olive green hues represent a natural side of the color spectrum thus they bring vivacious energy to kitchen spaces. A dark emerald green hue achieves understated luxury in an elegant manner.

Morandi Color Series

Modern home design strongly prefers the Morandi color series because it uses soft tones with low saturation. Using Morandi colors for cabinet handles will establish a refined and peaceful environment in the kitchen. Soft beige-gray together with light terracotta and grayish shades of blue and green provide understated elegance to spaces. The Morandi color range works best when used to complement kitchen cabinets that share similar tones because it produces an artistic and harmonious environment.

Types of hardware finishes

The many choices for kitchen hardware finishes can make anyone’s head spin. It’s hard enough to match colors, and then there is the task of choosing the best finish to complete the look. 

As a rule of thumb, designers and furniture manufacturers apply only one cabinet handle type to create a streamlined design. However, it doesn’t mean combining different styles is a bad move.

Choosing the right finish for knobs and pulls can tie together the other larger elements in the room. This section introduces the classic and trendy finishes used by designers and home builders. It’s the first step to deciding on an option that suits a more personal taste!

Brushed cabinet pulls

Brushed furniture hardware undergoes a specific process that mutes the appearance of the metal. These days, experts use this term interchangeably with the satin finish, although the latter uses electroplating to achieve the effect. The softness of brushed finishes makes bold colors complimentary to any style. 

Although less shiny, this type of finish doesn’t fall short in aesthetics. Brushed styles are appropriate for kitchen cabinet handles since they hide watermarks and fingerprints well. It is an outstanding choice for frequently used furniture, such as drawers and pantries.

Brushed finishes can fit almost any handle color in the market. For instance, regardless of what color hardware for cherry cabinets is applied, a brushed finish beautifies the fitting instantly.

Polished cabinet pulls

The highly reflective polished finish provides a bright accent to the cabinetry. It offers a radiant effect that goes perfectly with gold and brass tones. It takes inspiration from the ‘80s styles where glossy tones were a staple kitchen statement. Today, this type of finish has a modernized form, eliminating the inconsistent shine of older versions.

This finish breaks up a rather plain-looking kitchen, helping to alleviate its cold and uninviting effect. It is suitable for dark blue cabinets with gold hardware to make the subdued hue more cheerful. Also, polished brass warms up any application and reinforces other finishes like stainless steel on appliances.

The only downside of this type of finish is that fingerprints are easy to leave a mark on the material. This issue is easy to counter by applying a polished finish only to handles that have less flat areas.

Weathered cabinet knobs

The best color knobs for light oak cabinets can have a more spectacular appearance when applied with a weathered finish. It boasts a superb texture that makes the design lively despite its old-age look. This coating creates a muted color that’s either light, dark, or extra dark. In some cases, the weathering process creates a matte surface, especially in brass applications.

What makes this type of finish special is that the color continues to evolve as time goes by. The coating interacts with natural elements, which is responsible for the change in color. However, this quality does not diminish the aesthetic value of weathered finishes. If anything, the effect elevates the style of the hardware.

Antique cabinet pulls

Antique cabinet pulls and knobs come in a variety of textures and colors. This finish adds personality to furniture, creating a distinct accent to any hardware. Most antique finishes work in transitional designs with highly detailed pieces.

You can install antique pulls on vintage-style kitchens. For example, antique brass has a warm undertone that makes the room cozier. When upgrading cool-toned cabinets, choosing antique nickel or pewter can offer a soft and lovely silver sheen like no other.

Kitchen hardware finishes like antique pulls are an ode to the style of earlier centuries. Still, it can keep up with modern fittings. Most manufacturers like Maxave use advanced techniques to achieve an aged look while also optimizing the durability of the material.

Matte Finishes

The trend of matte finishes extends far beyond just black and white in contemporary kitchen design. More and more colors are embracing the subtle elegance of a matte look, offering a softer and more sophisticated alternative to high-gloss options. Matte finishes in shades like muted brass, deep blues, and earthy greens can enhance the depth and richness of these colors, providing a velvety texture that is both visually appealing and pleasant to the touch. This trend contributes to a modern and understated aesthetic, avoiding harsh reflections and allowing the handle’s form to truly shine.

Textured Finishes

Textured finishes are gaining traction for their ability to add both tactile and visual interest to cabinet hardware. Details like knurling, with its fine, raised pattern, not only provide a better grip but also introduce a subtle industrial or contemporary edge. Hammered finishes offer a more rustic or handcrafted feel, adding depth and character to the handles. Other textures, such as ribbed or subtly patterned surfaces, can create unique visual effects, making the handles stand out as design elements in their own right and enhancing the overall sensory experience of the kitchen.

Two-Tone and Multi-Tone Finishes

Innovative designs are increasingly incorporating two-tone or even multi-tone finishes on cabinet handles. This involves combining different colors or surface treatments on a single piece of hardware, creating a striking and personalized look. For example, a handle might feature a matte black grip with polished brass accents, or a brushed nickel base with a contrasting colored detail. This approach allows for greater design flexibility, enabling homeowners to tie in multiple color elements present in their kitchen, such as the cabinetry and appliances, creating a cohesive and visually dynamic space.

How to choose the best color handles for cabinets or drawers

The best thing about customizing the kitchen cabinet hardware is the freedom to play with colors and finishes. There’s no limit to the smart combinations that fit different looks and layouts. It doesn’t require a matchy-matchy design, although furniture makers and designers should take care not to overexert with styling.

How can one proceed with making kitchen hardware colors and finishes work together? Here’s a quick style guide.

Use the cabinet color as a guide

When selecting cabinet handles, it’s important to consider what pieces will look best with the cabinetry. A great idea is to match primary and secondary color schemes. It’s an art staple that can never go wrong when applied to real-life designs. Neutral colors with dark accents can also work as an advantage.

Here’s an example: gray kitchen cabinets with gold hardware are a knockout for any kitchen layout. The cool gray with warm gold highlights offers a taste of luxury to any furniture piece.

Consider the decoration style

Hardware colors will not chase away the cohesiveness of the kitchen if tied with the decoration style. When fashioning a modern kitchen, selecting cabinet handles that will not become outdated after a few years is ideal. Some types of kitchen hardware finish like polished or brushed chrome can deliver a modern yet timeless quality to the furniture.

Go for bold colors

What is life without a little bit of adventure? Achieving a fresh look for the kitchen is an easy feat when opting for bold kitchen cabinet hardware colors. Greens and reds may seem too out there, but these hues are a playful addition that makes the space livelier.

An important thing to remember when going for bright and bold is to inspect the functionality of the fitting. These colorful handles should function more than a decorative piece when installed.

Detailed Pairing Based on Cabinet Color

White Cabinets: White cabinets offer unparalleled versatility. For a classic contrast, consider matte black or bronze pulls. To achieve a modern and sophisticated look, brushed nickel or polished chrome are excellent choices. Gold or rose gold can infuse a touch of luxury into a white kitchen. If you prefer a softer style, try light gray or even some pale pink ceramic knobs.

Light Gray Cabinets: The current taste for contemporary kitchens includes light gray cabinets as their essential neutral choice. Black elongated pulls in matte finish create a minimalist and stylish appearance when used together. The clean and crisp appearance results from selecting silver or brushed nickel handles. To create a warm touch in your kitchen you should select brushed gold or light brown leather pulls.

Dark Blue Cabinets: The deep blue color of cabinets creates an elegant atmosphere in any space. Deep blue cabinets stand best with luxurious gold or brass handles to achieve a sophisticated contrast. Select between brushed metal or polished surfaces when deciding between different sheens of finish for your cabinets.

Natural Wood Cabinets: Natural wood cabinets gain visual strength through black handle additions that enhance their wood features and provide a strong foundation effect. Leather pulls serve to boost both the natural appearance and touchable quality of surfaces. Black handles pair best with brushed nickel and matte white finishes when you want a soft appearance.

Black Cabinets: Black cabinets establish themselves as a powerful visual declaration. Black cabinets achieve sophistication when paired with gold or brass decorative elements. The sleek contemporary look arises from using silver or polished chrome as finish options. A monochromatic appearance can be achieved by selecting matte black handles that feature minimal details.

Specific Recommendations Based on Kitchen Style

Modern Minimalist: The Modern Minimalist design approach focuses on practical elements with straight lines. Choose matte black or stainless steel straight pulls for your kitchen. The use of finger pulls and push-to-open mechanisms will create an exceptionally smooth appearance.

Industrial: The industrial kitchen design includes raw materials and visible elements. Select dark metal handles consisting of bronze or wrought iron with a distressed finish. Select handles with strong shapes that are practical in design such as bar pulls or those showing visible screws.

Farmhouse/Rustic: The farmhouse or rustic kitchen design benefits from handles made of antique brass or oil-rubbed bronze or ceramic materials. Wooden knobs together with cup pulls can add to the farmhouse or rustic design. The search should focus on hardware pieces which display both traditional craftsmanship and antique value.

Luxury/Glam: Luxury/Glam style requirements include high-end materials together with sophisticated details. The selection of brushed gold and rose gold handles and crystal-accented handles would be suitable choices. The selection of sophisticated shapes should create an atmosphere of luxury.

Scandinavian: Designs from the Scandinavian region focus on simplicity, natural materials, and practicality. Handles in light wood or matte white will do excellently. Seek for sculptural forms that are devoid of numerous frills. A hint of modernity is also possible by using brushed nickel which works perfectly in Scandinavian design.

Transitional: Transitional kitchens combine contemporary and classical styles in equal proportions. They may be more flexible with their choice of handles, but most choose classical outlines with modern finishes like brushed nickel, polished chrome, or even subdued bronze. Strive to maintain a balance between elaborate and overly simplistic designs.

Bohemian: Individuality and eclecticism define the bohemian style. Have fun combining different design styles and finishes and in colors such as ceramic or glass. Use freely styled handles or even pieces crafted by hand for a bohemian touch.

Final thoughts

Mixing and matching cabinet hardware colors and finishes is a fun project to ring in the New Year. The latest trends highlight bold yet timeless themes that will take a kitchen’s aesthetic to the next level. If you need expert input for your cabinet handle shopping, please contact us at the Maxave Group right away!