Hardware is often selected to coordinate with the rest of a room. You’ll consider the cabinet color, the plumbing fixtures, and the other metal finishes before making a decision. These are all important considerations, but there is also room to have a little fun.
An unusual knob or pull can be a lovely way to add something personal to your home. Perhaps you’re drawn to a checkered pattern, a sculptural shape, or a small brass Labrador. You don’t need to use it throughout an entire kitchen, either. A bathroom vanity, a built-in cabinet, or a favorite piece of furniture is a good place to start.
Below are nine decorative hardware designs for those who’d like to try something a little out of the ordinary.
Avalon Bay Checkered Cabinet Knob
The Avalon Bay Checkered Cabinet Knob by Schaub features decorative inlays arranged in a checkerboard pattern. Its brass construction provides the base, while combinations such as Imperial Shell and Mother of Pearl give the surface its distinctive appearance.
For those who enjoy pattern but prefer a familiar hardware shape, this is a good option to consider. We’d pair it with solid-color cabinetry so the checks are easy to appreciate. A painted dresser, bathroom vanity, or small cabinet would be a lovely application.
Woodpecker Cabinet Knob
Designed by Ted Boerner for Rocky Mountain Hardware, the Woodpecker Cabinet Knob brings a bird-inspired detail to doors and drawers. Each piece is cast in Idaho from art-grade bronze and finished by hand.
We’d consider this knob for wood cabinetry, particularly in a study or on a bedside table. Keep in mind that Rocky Mountain Hardware’s finishes are living finishes. They will change with time and use, typically becoming lighter where they’re handled frequently and darker in less-touched areas. This variation is an intended part of their appearance.
Symphony Fish Cabinet Pull
The Symphony Fish Cabinet Pull by Schaub combines a fish-shaped brass body with decorative shell detailing. Finish combinations include Tiger Penshell with Estate Dover, Imperial Shell with Polished Nickel, and Mother of Pearl with Polished Nickel.
While it’s an appealing choice for a coastal home, we wouldn’t limit it to one. Consider using it on a dining-room sideboard or a bathroom vanity with otherwise simple detailing. The different finish options give you room to coordinate with either warmer or cooler elements in your design.
When replacing an existing pull, note that the mounting holes are spaced 4½ inches apart. This is the center-to-center measurement, rather than the pull’s overall length.
Labrador Cabinet Knob
For dog lovers, the Labrador Cabinet Knob by Lisa Jarvis offers a particularly charming option. Made from solid brass, it is offered in Satin Brass, with additional finishes available by request. At 2¾ inches high and 2½ inches wide, it is worth checking its scale against your cabinet or drawer before ordering.
We’d use it on a mudroom cupboard, an entryway cabinet, or a dresser. It would be especially fitting on the cabinet where you keep your dog’s everyday supplies. Pairing it with simpler hardware nearby is a good way to enjoy the design without repeating it on every door.
Symphony Crab Cabinet Pull
Another distinctive piece from Schaub, the Symphony Crab Cabinet Pull is cast from brass and capped with Tiger Penshell. The combination of the detailed crab shape, shell surface, and Estate Dover finish gives it a decorative quality that deserves a closer look.
Consider it for a powder-room vanity or a freestanding cabinet where you’d like the hardware to be a focal point. We’d keep the surrounding details fairly simple, allowing the shape and materials to stand out. There’s no need to carry a sea-life theme through the rest of the room.
Forme 25 Infinity Door Lever
Unusual hardware isn’t limited to cabinets. The Forme 25 Infinity Door Lever by Mi & Gei combines rounded, geometric forms in a sculptural solid-brass design. Its finishes are unlacquered and will develop character with age and use.
For those who prefer an abstract shape to an animal or patterned design, this lever is worth considering. We’d pair it with a simple door that allows the handle’s form to be fully appreciated.
It’s important to plan for this piece before your doors are drilled. It does not fit standard U.S. door preparation and is recommended only for new doors that have not been pre-bored. Its 82 mm backset also requires sufficient width in the door’s vertical side section, known as the stile. Review the specifications with your installer before ordering.
Codium Pearl Cabinet Knob
The Codium Pearl Cabinet Knob by PullCast takes its inspiration from coral. Handcrafted from solid brass, it offers an organic shape for those looking beyond the usual round or square knob.
We’d consider it for a dressing-room cabinet, a bathroom vanity, or a bedside table with clean, simple lines. It’s a good option to explore when you’d like a coastal reference without choosing a recognizable fish or shell.
Although it is called a knob, the Codium Pearl uses two mounting holes. Keep this in mind when planning a replacement for existing single-hole hardware.
Megaladon Cabinet Knob
The Megaladon Cabinet Knob by Matthew Studios has an especially interesting origin. Its form is cast from a genuine megalodon fossil, with the finished knob made from solid brass. Each piece is made to order in Harlem, New York.
We’d use this design on a wood cabinet or a substantial piece of furniture where its shape can be appreciated. It would also be an interesting addition to a study, particularly for someone with an interest in natural history.
Because this is a made-to-order, final-sale piece, take time to confirm the dimensions and finish before purchasing.
X and O Cabinet Knobs
The X and O Cabinet Knobs by Lisa Jarvis bring a playful detail to furniture and cabinetry. Both are made from solid brass and finished in the USA. They’re sold individually, allowing you to pair the two shapes or repeat just one throughout your design.
We’d pair an X and an O across double cabinet doors or use them on a painted dresser. They’d be a sweet addition to a child’s room, though we’d be just as happy to see them on an adult’s bathroom vanity.
The two shapes have different mounting requirements: the X uses one screw, while the O uses two, spaced two inches apart. Be sure to account for this before drilling.
Choosing Unusual Hardware for Your Home
You don’t need an especially bold interior to use decorative hardware. We often suggest starting with one area, such as a powder room or a freestanding cabinet, where you can try something different without making a whole-room commitment.
When combining an unusual piece with simpler knobs and pulls, look for a shared finish or material to help connect them. We’d also recommend comparing the hardware with your cabinet samples rather than choosing each element separately.
As with any hardware selection, consider how the piece will be used. Check its dimensions, projection, and mounting requirements, and make sure there’s enough room to comfortably open the door or drawer.
Most importantly, choose something you’ll enjoy seeing and using every day. A classic knob is always an option, but so is a little bronze bird.
Need help narrowing down the choices? Get in touch with our team to discuss the sizes, finishes, and coordinating pieces for your project.
