Beyond Knobs and Pulls: The Unexpected Cabinet Hardware Styles Defining 2025

When it comes to home design, it’s often the smallest details that make the biggest difference – and in 2025, cabinet hardware is taking centre stage. No longer just functional fixtures, knobs and pulls are being reimagined as statement pieces, blending art, history, and innovation to elevate the look and feel of interiors.

As kitchens, wardrobes, and bathrooms continue evolving into more personalised and expressive spaces, the demand for unique, high-quality cabinet hardware is rising. Whether you’re working on a new build, a thoughtful renovation, or just a weekend refresh, the right handle can dramatically transform the character of your furniture and joinery.

Here’s a closer look at five emerging cabinet hardware styles that are breaking the mould and defining design choices in 2025 – with handpicked, premium examples available from Arrow Electricals.

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1. Old-World Opulence: Reclaiming Heritage with Ornate Drop Pulls

Timeless and elegant, ornate cabinet hardware is experiencing a resurgence in 2025. As part of a broader movement embracing tradition and detail-rich interiors, designers and homeowners alike are turning to historic-inspired hardware to bring warmth and nostalgia into modern homes.

Rather than defaulting to generic pulls, consider introducing more expressive pieces that add personality and craft. Ornate drop pulls, in particular, offer a decorative flourish that’s hard to ignore. Their curved forms and detailed etching recall the beauty of vintage furniture and classical architecture.

Featured product: Ornate Cabinet Pull Drop
This intricate drop pull design channels old-world luxury and pairs beautifully with dark wood finishes or jewel-toned cabinetry. Its distinctive looped silhouette draws the eye and adds tactile interest, making it ideal for dressing tables, drawer fronts, or even pantry doors in a grander kitchen scheme.

Style Tip: Use these pulls in symmetrical groupings on mirrored furniture or sideboards for a cohesive, antique-inspired aesthetic.

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2. Tactile Texture: Hammered Surfaces for a Handcrafted Feel

Smooth and polished finishes are taking a back seat in 2025, making room for texture and imperfection. The handmade look is becoming a major force in cabinet hardware, where unique finishes like hammered metal create a more organic, artisan appearance.

Hammered knobs introduce light-catching irregularities and surface dimension that elevate otherwise plain cabinetry. These details provide not just visual but tactile value – encouraging interaction and appreciation of the materials themselves.

Featured product: Rectangular Hammered Cabinet Knob
This knob is both sculptural and functional, with its subtly distressed surface offering depth and a handcrafted look. The rectangular shape modernises the finish, making it suitable for transitional spaces that balance rustic charm with contemporary minimalism.

Style Tip: Use these knobs on shaker-style cabinets for a textured upgrade that feels both grounded and bespoke.

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3. Military Precision: Refined Utility with Vintage Roots

Inspired by military and industrial design, these utilitarian hardware pieces bring strength, structure, and simplicity to cabinetry. Often characterised by exposed fixings, solid materials, and a no-nonsense design ethos, this style delivers authenticity with a masculine edge.

What’s particularly appealing in 2025 is how these hardware designs are being reinterpreted – polished and reimagined to fit into contemporary interiors without losing their vintage soul.

Featured product: Military Cabinet Drawer Pull
This handle reflects the clean geometry and sturdy design of classic military hardware. Its wide grip and practical shape make it as comfortable as it is stylish. Perfect for use on desk drawers, kitchen cabinets, or linen cupboards.

Style Tip: Pair with olive green, deep navy, or matte black cabinetry to fully embrace the utilitarian aesthetic.

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4. Art Deco Revival: The Return of Bauhaus Simplicity

Bauhaus and Art Deco design movements are making a strong comeback this year, especially among those seeking structure and balance in their interiors. These styles offer a more architectural approach to hardware – characterised by clean lines, geometric symmetry, and a less-is-more attitude.

Cabinet hardware inspired by Bauhaus principles delivers refined simplicity. It doesn’t scream for attention but offers elegance through proportion, finish, and thoughtful design.

Featured product: Bauhaus Cabinet Pull Handle
This sleek handle embodies Bauhaus ideals with its crisp lines and minimal form. Available in a variety of finishes, it works equally well in monochrome kitchens or bold colour-blocked cabinetry setups.

Style Tip: Use this style in pairs or rows to create a strong horizontal or vertical rhythm across your cupboards and drawers.

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5. Layered Luxury: The Rise of Reeded Detailing

2025’s interiors are embracing tactile luxury, and reeded cabinet hardware sits at the intersection of tradition and trend. With its fluted texture and softly sculpted lines, reeded detailing brings a refined, almost architectural feel to cabinetry.

Unlike smooth or flat-fronted designs, reeded hardware invites touch and elevates the ordinary with its intricate surface. It works especially well in high-end kitchens, bathrooms, and bespoke furniture.

Featured product: Reeded Cabinet Knob with Base
This premium knob has a sculptural elegance that subtly enhances any cabinet face. The round base plate adds extra visual weight and presence, making it ideal for statement doors or luxury wardrobes.

Style Tip: Pair with matching tapware or fluted glass panels for a cohesive, layered aesthetic.

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Bonus Insight: Mixing and Matching with Confidence

While these individual styles offer bold new directions, one of 2025’s overarching trends is intentional contrast. Designers are moving away from matching every knob and pull and instead opting to mix styles within a space – combining modern with vintage, textured with smooth, or warm tones with cooler metals.

A reeded knob on upper cabinetry and a hammered pull on lower drawers? Absolutely. A drop pull on a pantry door and Bauhaus handles on base units? Perfectly acceptable – and very 2025.

Just be sure to:

• Stick to a cohesive colour palette (e.g., all brass or black finishes)
• Balance your selections with the overall room tone
• Keep functionality in mind-heavier drawers may need a more robust handle

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The Final Touch: Why Cabinet Hardware Matters

Cabinet hardware may seem like a minor detail, but it’s often the element that ties the whole space together. It’s the part you interact with daily, the finishing touch that can make an affordable cabinet look bespoke, and a design opportunity that shouldn’t be overlooked.

In 2025, it’s all about embracing hardware as part of your home’s identity – not just a practical feature but an artistic one. Whether you’re renovating a single room or updating your whole home, don’t be afraid to choose pieces that reflect your personal style, spark conversation, and add lasting value.

Explore the Unexpected with Arrow Electricals

Ready to step beyond the basics and discover cabinet hardware that inspires?
Explore these standout 2025 styles and more at Arrow Electricals, where quality, craftsmanship, and timeless design come together.

Browse our full cabinet hardware collection to find the perfect finishing touches for your next project.