When commissioning bespoke joinery, it's often the smallest details that create the most impact. The handles, knobs, pulls and latches that adorn your cabinetry might seem like just functional necessities, but they're the finishing touches you'll interact with daily.
At Prenwood, we consider hardware selection to be as crucial as choosing the perfect timber or finish. The right hardware doesn't simply complement your joinery, it elevates it, transforming beautiful craftsmanship into something truly exceptional.
This guide is here to help you find the perfect hardware for your space, covering everything from material and scale to our go-to suppliers.
The Silent Storytellers
Hardware speaks volumes about your space without saying a word. Like carefully chosen jewellery, it can:
- Define the style of your joinery, whether contemporary, traditional, or somewhere beautifully in between
- Create continuity or contrast throughout your home
- Add texture and dimension to otherwise flat surfaces
- Introduce warmth or coolness through material choice and finish
- Express personality in an otherwise understated design
Every time you open a drawer, swing a cabinet door, or reach for a wardrobe handle, you experience these details intimately. This daily interaction makes hardware selection worthy of thoughtful consideration.
Finding Your Perfect Match
Consider the Context
Think about how your hardware will sit within the broader context of your space. A Shaker-style kitchen with its honest proportions and heritage feel might lend itself to cup pulls or traditional knobs. A contemporary dressing room with clean lines may be better suited to refined bar handles or minimalist edge pulls.
The aim is not to match perfectly, but to create a conversation between the cabinetry and its surroundings, one that feels intentional and balanced.
Material and Proportion
The hardware you choose should strike a balance between aesthetic appeal, long-term durability and how it feels in use. Material plays a key role, not only in the visual tone of your joinery, but also in how each piece wears over time.
Some of our most trusted materials include:
- Solid brass offers unparalleled durability and develops a beautiful patina over time
- Bronze provides warmth and substance, particularly in antique or tumbled finishes
- Stainless steel delivers contemporary sleekness and remarkable resilience
- Blackened or powder-coated metals create dramatic contrast against lighter joinery
Each material performs differently depending on where it’s used. Kitchen hardware needs to withstand moisture and frequent use, while bedrooms and dressing rooms allow for more delicate finishes.
Proportion matters too. Larger cabinetry benefits from bolder handles, while smaller pieces suit more refined options. Always consider scale, balance and how the hardware feels in the hand. Whenever possible, we recommend handling samples in person. It’s the best way to judge finish, weight and comfort.
Our Trusted Suppliers
We’ve spent years building relationships with suppliers who share our values: craftsmanship, timeless design and enduring quality. Here are a few of our most trusted sources for beautiful, well-made hardware.
Hendel & Hendel
This British manufacturer produces elegant, hand-finished hardware that works equally well in classic and contemporary interiors. Their burnished brass pulls and satin nickel knobs are among our favourites for their subtlety and substance.
Armac Martin
A heritage brand with a contemporary eye. Based in Birmingham, Armac Martin is known for solid brass hardware with exceptional finishing. Their Queslett pulls are a go-to choice in kitchens, while the Cotswold collection is perfect for transitional schemes
Carlisle Brass
A highly versatile option offering durability, variety and accessible price points. We often use Carlisle Brass for projects where cohesion across multiple rooms is important. Their extensive catalogue suits everything from utility rooms to bedrooms.
Crofts & Assinder
We’re excited to now offer Crofts & Assinder’s modern yet timeless designs. The Braemar range, with its subtle elegance, pairs beautifully with natural timber, creating warm and refined spaces. For a bolder statement, Orkney brings an industrial edge that works effortlessly in contemporary kitchens and wardrobes.
View our suppliers
Choosing by Room
Different rooms have different demands, whether the focus is on durability, elegance or everyday practicality. The guide below offers a few tailored suggestions to help you choose the right hardware for each space.
Kitchens
Handles in kitchens need to be resilient and easy to clean. Look for solid materials and finishes that age gracefully.
Our favourites:
- Queslett pulls by Armac Martin in satin brass
- Brecon pull handles by Crofts & Assinder in matt black
- Cup pulls by Hendel & Hendel for Shaker-style drawers
Dressing Rooms & Wardrobes
These are more intimate, tactile spaces. The feel of a handle is just as important as how it looks.
Consider:
- Antique Pewter Trafalgar Knobs by Hendel & Hendel for a soft, lived-in feel
- Decorative backplates from Armac Martin for added refinement
- Leather-wrapped pulls from Crofts & Assinder for unexpected texture
Utility & Boot Rooms
Here, function takes the lead. Choose finishes that are durable and forgiving, and handles that are easy to grip.
We suggest:
- Bar handles by Carlisle Brass
- Powder-coated finishes that resist marks
- Larger handles that can be used with wet or gloved hands
A Thoughtful Investment
Hardware may be a relatively small part of your overall joinery budget, but its impact is experienced every day. From smooth, dependable operation to finishes that develop character over time, well-made hardware offers more than function. It brings a sense of permanence, craftsmanship and design clarity that lasts.
As hardware selection is an integral part of the design journey, clients are invited to explore samples, consider materials alongside timber and paint choices, and make decisions with confidence.
Whether you are drawn to the understated warmth of satin brass or the bold simplicity of blackened steel, we are here to help you find the piece that feels just right. It is the final detail that completes the story of your space.
Need Help Deciding?
You can find our contact details here to give us a call or pop into the workshop, we’ll put the kettle on.
