Cabinet hardware is where a Calgary kitchen shows its personality, and the choice really comes down to what you value — we can source an $8 knob or an $80 pull, and the price gap is about finish and feel, not function. Knobs suit doors and pulls suit drawers, while finishes like matte black, brushed brass and satin nickel each wear differently in our dry, hard-water climate. Whatever you choose, it is captured in a fixed-price quote with owner Jonathan Edwards involved on every job.
Hardware Is the Jewellery of Your Kitchen
Change your cabinet hardware and your kitchen looks completely different. It’s the cheapest update you can make — and one of the most impactful. Here’s how to choose right the first time.
Knobs vs Pulls: When to Use Each
| Hardware | Best For |
|---|---|
| Knobs | Upper cabinet doors, small drawers, traditional/shaker style |
| Bar pulls (long) | Base cabinet drawers, lower doors, modern kitchens |
| Cup pulls | Drawers, farmhouse and transitional kitchens |
| Bin pulls | Wide drawers, utility drawers |
| Edge pulls | Minimal/flat-panel cabinets (no visible hardware) |
n
⚠ Estimate Disclaimer: These are only ROUGH estimates that can vary wildly. Do not take these numbers as gospel. Having a defined scope of work and exact selections will give you clarity.
Popular Finishes in Calgary (2026)
- Brushed gold/champagne: Warm, popular in two-tone and white kitchens
- Matte black: High contrast, very modern, very popular
- Brushed nickel: The safe classic, still widely used
- Unlacquered brass: Ages beautifully, luxury look
- Oil-rubbed bronze: Warm, traditional, farmhouse
- Stainless/chrome: Fading in popularity for cabinets but still works in all-modern kitchens
Sizing Your Hardware
Pull centre-to-centre measurements: 3″, 3.75″, 5″, 6.3″, 8″, 10″, 12″. Match the scale of your cabinets — large drawers need larger pulls. Skinny 3″ pulls on a 24″ drawer look weak.
Mixing Hardware
You can mix, but do it intentionally. Common winning combos: matte black pulls on white perimeter + brushed gold pulls on the island. Or: brushed nickel throughout + one statement pull in a contrasting finish on the island.
Cost
- Budget: $2–$5/piece (Home Depot, IKEA)
- Mid-range: $8–$20/piece (hardware stores, online)
- Luxury: $25–$80+/piece (Emtek, Schaub, Top Knobs)
- Typical kitchen (50-70 pieces): $200–$1,400
Pro Tip: Order 10% Extra
Always order 10% more than your count — replacements from the same batch will match perfectly. Different production runs can have subtle finish variations.
Related Articles
Pillar Guide: Kitchen Renovations Calgary: The Complete Guide
Contact Olympic City Renovations to schedule a Discovery Call.
Olympic City Renovations serves Calgary, Priddis, Okotoks, and surrounding communities.
Frequently asked questions
As a rule, knobs work best on doors and pulls work best on drawers because they give your hand more to grab. Many Calgary kitchens mix both, and we help you settle on a consistent look during your Discovery Call.
Hardware is one of the easiest places to control budget because we can source an $8 knob or an $80 knob depending on what you value. Your fixed-price quote will vary based on your selections and square footage.
Matte black, brushed brass and satin nickel are all durable, but living finishes patina over time while coated finishes stay uniform. We walk you through how each behaves with everyday use and Calgary's hard water before you commit.
Yes, updating knobs and pulls is one of the lowest-cost ways to refresh existing cabinets. We can handle it as part of a larger renovation or scope it on its own so you get a clean, level, consistent result.
Related reading: How Much Does a Kitchen Renovation Cost in Calgary? (2026 Update) · Kitchen Renovation Before and After: Calgary Transformation Stories · Kitchen Cabinet Paint: Should You Paint Your Calgary Cabinets?