Many styles and finishes are available for cabinet hardware. Each variety is designed to accompany popular styles and maintain a beautiful appearance over time. Some of the most popular finishes today will be discussed here.

Some finishes are more commonly used today on cabinet hardware than others. Satin or brushed nickel is a finish known by two names. In modern kitchens, it is a popular finish because it mimics steel. Since modern is one of the most common styles at the moment, this finish is used quite often. While not much different from stainless steel, it offers more variety in styles because the finish can be achieved on a variety of metals. In fact, the most common metals that are given this finish are brass and zinc. Oil Rubbed Bronze is another finish that is applied primarily over brass or zinc. This finish is used to apply an old world look or something more modern and contemporary. Some of the oil rubbed bronze variations appear to have an amber or copper undertone. Others appear dark brown or nearly black.

Polished finishes are used to create a different feel. Polished brass was once, a decade or so ago, one of the most popular finishes. Zinc polished brass is the cabinet hardware and door hinges. Polished chrome is used to create an Art Deco look. This finish has a silver polished mirror finish that lasts a long time because it almost never tarnishes. With this finish, like all mirror polished finishes, fingerprints will show up easily. Cleaning them is simple, however, and easily returns the metal to a new look.

Antique finishes give cabinet hardware a traditional look. Antique brass is a whole process. The hardware is black coated and then brushed, creating the look of antique antique brass. Without a lacquer, the product would tarnish, so after brushing, a lacquer is applied, and then the product is baked. Antique copper is another popular finish. Finishes such as aged copper are making it possible to complete contemporary designs with a traditional finish. It is another finish that is commonly applied to brass or zinc. To create this look, the cabinet hardware is dipped in a copper flash, plated black, and brushed to create the antique look. While many other styles are popular and available in cabinet hardware today, these options provide a good starting point to look at.