As a workhorse spot that does it all from cooking and entertaining to day-to-day dining—plus everything else in between—the kitchen deserves some proper attention. While function is at the heart of the home’s most-used room, thoughtful design shouldn’t have to take a backseat, and that doesn’t just mean custom built-ins, fancy ranges, or one-of-a-kind tile (though we love those things too). Hardware shouldn’t be an afterthought.

Function is still at the forefront, but in 2025 more of an emphasis is being placed on hardware as a decorative element as well. Not only is it easy to swap, a cost-effective upgrade, and renter-friendly, but the options are also endless whether you’re looking for something more traditional or modern. After spending two days at The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), here are the top kitchen hardware trends I saw, plus the importance of selecting the right pieces.

Why The Right Hardware Matters

When we talk about kitchen trends, it’s often the big ticket items like paint, cabinetry, and layouts, but the smaller details, like hardware, make just as much of an impact. Many designers even refer to hardware as a kitchen’s “jewelry”. If it’s not quite-right, it won’t completely ruin the appearance of a space, but when you get it right it really enhances the overall look and feel of the room.

Let your hardware be more trend-forward while your cabinetry takes a backseat. Unless you’re going for a fully custom space, keeping it simple with the cabinetry then using hardware to layer in texture, color, and different materials helps infuse the hard-working spot with more character and is a great way to save the budget.

The right hardware can help give your kitchen more personality. Whether you’re looking to add a funky touch with the shape, color, or sensory-awakening textures, keep it sleek and simple without screaming modern, or lean into a vintage look, there is a trend for you.

Mixing Metals (And Materials)

Designers aren’t just sticking to one material, color, or finish anymore. No longer does every metal element of the kitchen all need to be the same. Let your faucet shine in polished nickel while the cabinetry pulls and knobs are antique brass. As the blending of warm and natural tones is growing in popularity, so is the blending of metals. Combining different finishes helps boost contrast and interest.

And not only is mixing and matching metals and materials throughout the kitchen becoming more popular, but the concept has also extended to individual hardware pieces. Two-toned options are a great way to tie different elements of a room together—black pulls with wood caps, marble knobs with a brass base, or stainless steel handles with rose gold or copper accents. Integrating dual-finish hardware pieces adds dimension while maintaining cohesion throughout a space. House of Rohl has a plethora of pairings with matte black from unlacquered brass accents to satin nickel.

Shaking things up with hard materials even extends beyond traditional hardware. On the showroom floor of KBIS, Monogram Appliances was pairing leather and brass together on their range handles while KitchenAid displayed interchangeable mix-and-match knobs and pulls for their built-in appliances. The options are endless, so get creative in your kitchen!

Integration of Natural Wood

As “cottagecore” (a wistful and cozy decor aesthetic that leans into natural materials, vintage furniture, and handcrafted items) has seen a major uptick in the past year, the trend has largely extended to the kitchen. In response, wooden knobs and handles, both in natural hues and painted to match (or pop against) the cabinetry have become more popular. 

At KBIS, Moen showcased eye-catching fixtures with enhanced craftsmanship that integrated wood with soft-finished metals, like matte black, for more warmth and authenticity. And while designed for the bathroom, Brizo’s Frank Lloyd Wright collection also beautifully pairs wood and nickel together.

Vintage-Inspired Looks 

More and more consumers are longing for the authenticity and depth of an older home even if it’s a new build. A great way to achieve that is with hardware, especially in the kitchen where you might not be layering in as many antiques. Metals with a natural patina help achieve the lived-in look without actually being old—especially cabinetry hinges and latches. Dropped and pendant (or tassel) pulls are elegant styles that also help portray a sense of age. Look for finishes like pewter, heritage or aged brass, burnished brass, and various bronzes.

Textural Details

As cabinetry has taken on more detailing—like reeded and fluted millwork—so has hardware. Texture and unique finishes are taking center stage. Not only is it more visually interesting, but also tactilely engaging. Texture can add a bit of surprise to the feel without immediately being too overpowering to the eye. Both on knobs and pulls, we’re seeing hammered and ribbed textures specifically making a big splash.

More Organic Shapes 

Whether it’s one-of-a-kind shapes or just softer edges, these profiles are becoming more popular over sharp edges and angular silhouettes. Brands like Kohler are particularly prioritizing artist-driven collections that focus on more asymmetrical, organic “land shapes” and sculptural pieces. 

In a more traditional sense, knobs are gravitating towards ovals and circles (both rounded and flat) while pulls and handles with rounded edges are creeping into the mainstream options. Though a bit more elegant in shape, many of the new collections from various brands at KBIS still carry the weighty feel of big brass hardware even with a rounder shape.

Statement-Making Pieces

There are a lot of ways to make a big or small statement when it comes to home decor, and that includes hardware. Size, color, texture, and even the material itself can be played up or down depending on how much presence you want the hardware to have. In 2025, going bigger and bolder with kitchen hardware as a focal point is certainly in, whether that’s with oversized knobs that give visual weight to the space, elongated pulls that feel elegant, pops of color with paint or marble detailing, or really leaning into texture. 

For a subtler statement, dropped pulls feel very classic, but as a lesser-used style they still grab your attention as do plated pulls—a decorative element that frames the functional part of the actual knob or pull. The back plate can help give any simple style a bit more presence and interest.

Adaptive Design-Friendly 

As homeowners consider the longevity of their space, they are making decisions based on aging-in-place to cater towards current or future functional challenges. This includes considering the ease and practicality of your hardware selection whether it’s using bigger knobs and elongated handles, textured metals that are easier to grip, or rethinking the placement itself. In the kitchen (and bath) plumbing hardware category, touchless options are also becoming more popular with physical ability in mind.

Matte And Brushed Finishes

Typically, polished gold exudes a sense of luxury, black conveys sophistication, and brushed brass and nickel lends a timeless feel—which is the direction finishes are trending. Shiny and high-polished pieces are taking a back seat in favor of natural patinas and warmer tones that give a softer, more traditional look like satin, brushed, and matte finishes. 

And while matte black might be on its way out, that doesn’t mean matte is entirely. Many kitchen and bath brands are still incorporating matte black into their hardware and fixtures, but pairing the finish with other metals. Non-shiny finishes are also less likely to show fingerprints and oily smudges that are so common in a busy space like the kitchen.