What Metal Goes with Medium Wood Cabinets?

Choosing the right hardware is an important decision when designing a kitchen with medium wood cabinets. The metal finishes you select for handles, knobs, and other hardware will impact the overall look and feel of your kitchen. Here are some of the most popular metal choices that pair beautifully with medium wood cabinetry.

Brushed Nickel

Brushed nickel is a versatile metal that complements most wood tones. It has a soft, brushed appearance that adds an understated elegance. Brushed nickel looks particularly attractive against medium wood because it adds contrast without looking too harsh. The brushed finish helps hide fingerprints and water spots, making brushed nickel a practical option for the kitchen.

Some pros of selecting brushed nickel hardware include:

• Works with most medium wood cabinet colors like maple, oak, cherry, etc.
• Provides subtle contrast against the wood grain
• Durable and withstands busy kitchen conditions
• Easy to clean and maintain

Matte Black

Matte black hardware is having a major moment right now. The rich, smooth finish looks striking against medium woods. Matte black has a bold, modern feel that amps up the style quotient in your kitchen. It makes a particularly dramatic statement against lighter medium woods like maple or birch.

Reasons to consider matte black metal hardware:

• Adds bold, contemporary style
• Looks luxe against lighter medium woods
• Sophisticated and elegant
• Creates a moody, dramatic aesthetic
• Fingerprint resistant

Antique Bronze

For a charming, timeworn look, antique bronze is the perfect accompaniment for medium wood cabinets. The dark, aged patina with copper undertones brings out the warmth in medium woods. Antique bronze evokes a cozy, old-world character. It works well in traditional, farmhouse or rustic kitchens.

Benefits of antique bronze hardware:

• Warm, homey aesthetic
• Enhances woods with reddish undertones
• Distressed, vintage appearance
• Adds classic charm
• Doesn’t show scratches readily

Stainless Steel

You can never go wrong with stainless steel hardware in a kitchen. The clean, bright finish gives any space a sleek, contemporary feel. Stainless steel provides nice contrast against rich medium wood cabinets. Oil-rubbed bronze is a good stainless steel alternative if you want a warmer, more subtle look.

Why choose stainless steel?

• Sleek, modern look
• Brightens up the space
• Easy to clean and maintain
• Works with all styles from traditional to modern
• Very durable and scratch resistant

Oil-Rubbed Bronze

Similar to brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze is a softer, understated metal option for medium color cabinets. It has an elegant, timeworn appearance. The dark brown finish with bronze highlights pairs nicely with medium woods like cherry or walnut. For a more modern twist, combine it with lighter mediums like birch.

Some benefits of oil-rubbed bronze include:

• Classic, versatile look
• Warm, inviting finish
• Works with wide range of wood tones
• Has an antique feel but modern appeal
• Low maintenance

Chrome

For a super sleek, contemporary vibe, chrome hardware is the way to go. The shiny, reflective finish has an ultra-modern edge. It pops against darker mediums like chestnut or mahogany. Chrome conveys an urban, sophisticated feel in the kitchen. Keep in mind it does require frequent polishing to maintain its luster.

Reasons to select chrome:

• Ultra modern, trendy look
• Makes a statement against dark woods
• Bright, eye-catching aesthetic
• Sleek and polished appearance
• Easy to match with other metals

Copper

Copper is another on-trend metal that infuses warmth into medium wood kitchens. The soft peach and orange hues in copper complement the tones found in many popular medium woods. The patina finish and natural variations give copper an artisanal, Old World quality.

Some benefits of copper cabinet hardware include:

• On-trend for contemporary kitchens
• Warm, inviting finish
• Lovely against maple, birch, pecan, chestnut
• Distressed, vintage look
• Accentuates wood grains

Conclusion

The metal hardware finishes you select will have a big impact on the overall style of your medium wood kitchen. Brushed nickel and oil-rubbed bronze are versatile go-to choices that work with varied wood species. For a sleek modern aesthetic, opt for stainless steel or chrome. If you want to make a bold statement, choose matte black. Go for antique bronze or copper if you prefer a timeworn, vintage look. Take your time and pick metal finishes that enhance your cabinetry while matching your kitchen’s decor and personality. The right hardware pulls everything together into a cohesive, beautiful space.