It’s completely unrealistic (and unnecessary) to completely revamp your kitchen every year. But making small yet impactful changes and updates can totally transform the look and feel of your space – especially if you focus on kitchen hardware trends.
Often described as the jewelry of the kitchen, it’s surprising how much of a difference your kitchen hardware ideas can make. As this year’s kitchen trends continue to embrace characterful and unique designs, focusing on your hardware is an achievable way to experiment with new and trending designs.
From cabinet pulls and handles to hanging rails and metallic alternatives, these are the kitchen hardware trends design experts say you should have on your radar for 2025 – and there are some truly unexpected trends making a comeback.
10 kitchen hardware trends for 2025
Whether your kitchen ideas are more traditional or lean contemporary, 2025’s kitchen hardware trends offer versatile styles that work in plenty of schemes. Whether you’re ready to embrace retro designs or add a sense of vintage flair to your space, don’t underestimate the power of a simple hardware swap.
1. Antique brass finishes
Decorating with vintage and antique decor is a guaranteed way to add interest and character to your kitchen. And when it comes to hardware, antique brass finishes are big news for 2025, proving warm-toned, aged metals are an enduring choice.
‘Hardware might be a small detail within a kitchen, but it has a huge impact on the overall look and feel of your space,’ says Tom Howley, creative design director at the eponymous kitchen brand. ‘I predict that we’ll start to see chrome hardware used a lot less, as warmer metals like antique brass become even more on-trend. Gold and bronze finishes create a luxurious aesthetic with a touch of vintage charm, and pair well with dark oak and forest green cabinetry.’
2. Matching the hardware color to the cabinetry
For something a bit different, moving away from metallic hardware and embracing something less expected is an on-trend way to create a unique kitchen design in 2025 – and it’s all about color matching.
‘I expect kitchen hardware trends will focus on a refined approach to mixing and matching materials and finishes, with a strong emphasis on tonal combinations that create cohesive yet dynamic designs,’ says Fiona Ginnett, co-founder at HØLTE.
‘One key trend is the pairing of handles color-matched to colored fronts, such as these examples in our Thistlewaite project. This approach is sleek and seamless, and keeps things looking really polished while letting the color and texture subtly shine.’
3. Kitchen gallery rails
There’s a common theme running through 2025’s kitchen hardware trends – old-style, traditional hardware features are making a comeback. But rather than making a kitchen look dated, these features blend with more contemporary elements to create a tasteful and timeless scheme.
‘The kitchen is the heart of the home but heavy usage and busy lives mean that kitchens are rarely updated and can often be one of the most challenging rooms to add flair to. Whether adding a finishing flourish to wall units or securing pans and cookbooks on exposed shelving, gallery rails are a great solution for an easy and premium-looking update and are surging in popularity,’ says Laura Styles, resident style advisor at Yester Home.
‘Gallery rails can help you to achieve a designer look for less by making your space feel more bespoke and elevated. We’ve seen huge demand for this decorative accessory from our US customers, proving that this viral hardware trend isn’t going anywhere soon.
Add an elegant touch to your kitchen shelves with a gallery rail. Helping to keep items in place and adding a touch of elegance, it's a must-have in any kitchen.
4. Space-age hardware designs
While no one can deny the everlasting appeal of warm-toned kitchen hardware, there are still instances where cooler metals prove on-trend. In some cases, chrome might pair better with the kitchen color scheme, or it might be a trending aesthetic – such as the retro, space-age aesthetic.
‘In 2025 we are seeing the resurgence of ultra-reflective hardware with a strikingly contemporary feel. We are welcoming back sleek, metallic finishes like polished nickel, chrome, and stainless steel; dubbed “space-age hardware” which has its roots in retro, mid-century styling,’ says Laura.
‘This trend reflects a general movement we have seen towards nostalgic interior design, which can also integrate seamlessly into a contemporary home. The reflective nature of this hardware brightens and a sense of spaciousness, especially in small kitchens. To ease yourself in, opt for a polished nickel finish which is super durable, but offers a slightly warmer, softer sheen compared to chrome.’
5. Wood-on-wood designs
The resurgence of wood kitchens has seen some truly striking designs coming to fruition. From traditional to contemporary, it’s a material that can truly transform a kitchen – and this year, we’re seeing wooden hardware back on trend.
‘Incorporating timber physical handles on timber fronts is on trend this year – like those seen in the kitchen we did for Fredericia's new London showroom,’ says Fiona. ‘It’s all about bringing warmth and a tactile quality to the kitchen, which feels so timeless yet perfectly on-trend. For a more natural, earthy feel, I’d go for timber-on-timber combinations with matching grains.'
6. Metal hanging rails
If you’ve been keeping up with this year’s kitchen trends, you’ll know that pot racks are making a comeback. But this trend is bigger than just pot hangers – all manner of metal hangers and rails are a big kitchen hardware trend for 2025.
‘When space is at a premium, interior decor has to work hard and look good. Hanging rails are the perfect solution – utilizing vertical space to combat cluttered countertops, whilst adding visual interest to your wall and creating a stylish focal point,’ says Laura.
‘Hanging rails also allow you to showcase your personal style, which is always a big plus in a room that typically lacks character. Whether you prefer a sleek look with uniform utensils or a more eclectic mix of decorative items, the rail becomes a canvas for your creativity allowing you to swap out items seasonally or whenever you want to shake things up.’
A hanging rail on the wall not only adds extra storage for pots, pans, and utensils, but it also creates a traditional focal point in your kitchen.
7. Mixed metals
'Mixed Metals is one of my top favorite trends of the year,' says Dara Segbefia, founder and lead designer at LA-based The Zen Experience. 'I am currently loving how chrome and matte black work so well together. Also mixing brass and copper is timeless and sleek.'
Laura Chappetto, owner and lead designer at Element Design Network also sees mixing different metals as a kitchen trend for 2025, and explains how to embrace this stylishly: 'Stick with all matte or brushed finishes or all polished finishes for a fool-proof way to mix and match without being worried you’re picking something that won’t pair well together.'
8. Vintage-inspired, decorative designs
While antique brass finishes are a big trend this year, so are more decorative, vintage-inspired designs. Hardware is being used to make more of a design statement in the kitchen, particularly with large vintage styles, as pictured above.
'We say hardware is the perfect place in the kitchen to do something unexpected,' says Susan Yeley, creative director and owner and the Indiana-based design firm, Susan Yeley Homes. '2025 is the year for pulls that are vintage or have interesting shapes and contrasting colors.'
Interior designer Tyson Ness, founder of NYC-based Studio Ness agrees, explaining that refreshing the hardware can be a simple yet effective way to elevate the room: 'Kitchen hardware is a great way to update a kitchen without a full-blown renovation. I am anticipating more unique and jewelry-like hardware in a kitchen, as it adds some real personality than the builder-grade linear pulls we are used to seeing.'
For a vintage-inspired look, opt for these mother-of-pearl knobs from Anthropologie, which would work especially well in rustic or farmhouse kitchens.
9. Handcrafted shapes and surfaces
Another kitchen hardware trend we're expecting to see more of this year is handcrafted shapes and finishes. This adds an organic, tactile element to a kitchen and provides more interest than typical sleek finishes.
'This year's kitchen hardware trend is all about embracing handcrafted pieces like hammered and brushed finishes on knobs and pulls,' explains interior designer Soledad Alzaga. 'These textures add a customized touch to any kitchen.'
Faceted hardware is another style that creates a similar overall effect, as designer Ashley Macuga of Collected Interiors explains, 'We are loving hardware with faceted surfaces because of the brilliance that is created when the light gets refracted or bounced off of the varying angles. The scattering of light creates highlights and shadows, giving the hardware a sense of depth and dimensionality.'
10. Backplates
The final kitchen hardware we're anticipating seeing a lot more of this year is adding backplates. As pictured above in a kitchen designed by Brittney Ferguson Interiors, backplates allow cabinet handles to make more of a statement for an added point of interest.
Brittney Ferguson, owner and lead designer adds: 'My favorite kitchen hardware trend in 2025 is backplates. I love dressing up basic round knobs and pulls with backplates. It can elevate basic cabinetry into a custom, curated kitchen or bar.'
This trend is great if you're swapping out your cabinet pulls for a different design, as the backplate will usually cover up old holes – stylish and functional!
Since changing kitchen hardware is a fairly simple home decor upgrade, you can easily swap them out over time if you fancy a change. It's a great opportunity to experiment with different styles to discover what best suits your space.
