Kitchen cabinet hardware - yes or no?
by Valerie
+20
We recently installed new kitchen cabinets and have not yet put on knobs or drawer pulls. We'll be putting our house for sale in a few months. Should we bother to put them on at all? Could the style or placement turn off a prospective buyer? Or would the lack of them be worse? TIA
19 answers
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Totally depends upon the style of cabinet. A modern, sleek cabinet calls for no knobs/handles. A more traditional style could look unfinished without them. How do your cabinet manufacturer's catalogue and inspiration pictures show your style, with or without?
![Kate]()
Kate
on May 21, 2015
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Thank you! The cabinets in the catalog did show knobs/pulls, but there is a suitable side to them to accommodate grabbing an edge.
![Valerie]()
Valerie
on May 21, 2015
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Your new cabinets are exactly like the ones in our kitchen. We've had them for more than 20 years...with no hardware. I prefer it this way because it allows for super-easy cleaning and I have not had to worry about catching my apron or pants pockets on a drawer pull or door handle. Only a couple times have we considered adding hardware but never have. If I were selling my home I wouldn't go to the time and expense of adding hardware. My preference and placement might not be what the new owner would like. Don't drill holes where someone might not want any. I'd recommend leaving them as they are and not spend time or money here. You might need both for another area of the house that would benefit more.
![Swan Road Designs]()
Swan Road Designs
on May 21, 2015
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Valerie-- I don't know why your picture didn't show up before when I replied. Now that I see the cabinets, I think you'll be fine with either choice....although, I think Swan Road makes a good point about drilling holes. If you drill for knobs, sure enough, a prospective buyer is going to have her heart set on long pull bars, and vice versa. Getting a home ready for sale is expensive enough, and even the little things add up quickly. Again, I'm with Swan Road here. Call it good and move on. Good luck.
![Kate]()
Kate
on May 21, 2015
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Don't bother, they are fine, and you are right that hardware could turn off a potential buyer. This way you are not choosing a decorating style for the buyer. If in doubt though, you could ask you realtor.
![B. Enne]()
B. Enne
on May 21, 2015
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The cabinets I used to have didn't have handles, and I found that they, especially the sink cabinet doors, got grimey and water-stained. I added handles but they did catch my pockets and such. When we remodeled, we picked handles that are arch shaped so there's nothing to catch your clothes.
![Jen Garvin Garberich]()
Jen Garvin Garberich
on May 22, 2015
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I think kitchen " jewelry" would make a huge difference. Over time, handling the cabinet doors and drawers, they become tacky and dirty. Yes, hardware is expensive, and since you are selling soon, let the new owners make that decision.
![Mssjallison]()
Mssjallison
on May 22, 2015
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Your cabinets look similar to mine and my neighbors. We have been here 20 years, Her' s hardware, mine don't. I have often thought about adding them but they look fine without.
![Lynda]()
Lynda
on May 22, 2015
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Had cabinets just like yours. Went to Lowes Hardware. Found silver pulls even for the drawers. The pulls were plain except around the edges which had a couple of ridges in them. A contemporary/traditional look. Turned out great! Did not spend a lot of money on them either. You have a choice, go high-end or low-end. I chose the middle price!
![861650]()
861650
on May 22, 2015
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Yes. I definitely think it would add value to ur kitchen
![JacquelynShimmel]()
JacquelynShimmel
on May 22, 2015
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I wouldn't do it since you are selling, let the buyer pick what they want to do. I think, however, if you were to stay it would add so much to your kitchen. I have heard people call hardware jewelry for your cupboards & I think that is true. Everyone has different tastes tho so letting the new owners pick their own is probably best. Good luck with the sale!
![Kathy Cummings Huffman]()
Kathy Cummings Huffman
on May 23, 2015
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Definitely add them. Be cautious not to get too quirky and to make sure the finish matches other things in the room, like the faucet. Pulls are like jewelry. They also help prevent fingernail dings in the finish where you're grabbing the wood. :)
![Jan]()
Jan
on May 23, 2015
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If you're selling I would not go to the expense. The new home owners will then have the option of installing or not, and will get to choose what pleases them.
![Marion Nesbitt]()
Marion Nesbitt
on May 23, 2015
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If i were in the market to purchase a home, one of the last things that would be a critical influence is the hardware or lack thereof on the kitchen/bathroom cabinets. I would be more apt to inspect important areas that might need attention that would have an impact on the condition of the house. For example, I'd look at the plumbing, the condition and performance of major appliances that come with the house, the roof, the HVAC, insulation in the attic, etc. Does the ground slope away from the house to allow for proper drainage to keep from having foundation/basement leaks? In my big picture of things, the kitchen hardware would be waaaaay down at the bottom of my list. To use a phrase my late husband would use, "this hardware issue is a mouse fart in a hurricane." I'm not trying to be offensive, just realistic.
![Swan Road Designs]()
Swan Road Designs
on May 23, 2015
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I personally LOVE knobs. Just a personal issue.
![Linda]()
Linda
on May 23, 2015
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I like all the replies, and to me I'd rather have long pulls. The people that see your place to buy it, will know that these couldn't be 20 years old with chrome pulls and knobs.Just DON'T pick brass, the buyers will think they are older than 20 years. As Jan said, like jewelry........ : )
![Carol Burkhardt Rask]()
Carol Burkhardt Rask
on May 23, 2015
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Thank you everyone for your thoughts, they are appreciated. I supposed I should have mentioned that I already HAVE the hardware, so the expense is not an issue. They are simply detailed brushed nickel, without edges for clothing to catch on. If we were staying I would put them on for me. One comment in particular reminded me that not all pulls are the same length. If I were to drill holes 4" apart and they preferred those really large ones, they would have to contend with filling holes. I think we're going to keep them as is. Anyone interested in some drawer pulls? Hahaha ;)
![Valerie]()
Valerie
on May 24, 2015
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Yes. They save your cabinets. Oil and other stuff on your hands take the finish off over the long run.
![Lynn Wall]()
Lynn Wall
on May 25, 2015
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Knobs and pulls are the jewelry in a room. Yes!
![SANDY]()
SANDY
on Oct 24, 2016
Kate
on May 21, 2015
Swan Road Designs
on May 21, 2015
B. Enne
on May 21, 2015
Jen Garvin Garberich
on May 22, 2015
Mssjallison
on May 22, 2015
Lynda
on May 22, 2015
861650
on May 22, 2015
JacquelynShimmel
on May 22, 2015
Kathy Cummings Huffman
on May 23, 2015
Jan
on May 23, 2015
Marion Nesbitt
on May 23, 2015
Linda
on May 23, 2015
Carol Burkhardt Rask
on May 23, 2015
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