Choosing cabinet and door hardware shouldn’t feel overwhelming—but with the number of finishes trending in 2025, it’s easy to get stuck between style and practicality. Whether you’re a builder working on multi-home developments or a buyer remodeling your dream kitchen, the wrong finish can break a beautiful design. In this article, I’ll break down the top three hardware finishes—matte black, satin nickel, and matte brass—and show you exactly where and how to use them for the best results.

The top hardware finish trends for 2025 include matte black, satin nickel, and matte brass. These finishes are celebrated for their clean aesthetic, ability to complement a wide range of cabinet colors and interior styles. Matte black offers bold contrast and modern appeal; satin nickel provides durability and timeless versatility; matte brass adds warmth and luxury. Mixing metals, such as combining black with brass, is also trending, creating depth and personality across kitchens, doors, and bathrooms.

Let’s break down each of these finishes, where they work best, what they pair with, and how to use them in both new builds and renovations.

Matte Black Cabinet & Door Hardware

Matte black hardware is the hero of modern, minimal, and even farmhouse-style designs. Its matte texture absorbs light, which gives it a smooth, velvety appearance. Unlike glossy finishes, matte black doesn’t distract—it defines. In 2025, matte black is especially popular in kitchens with white or light wood cabinets because it creates high contrast without overwhelming the design.

Best applications include:

• Kitchen cabinets: Think white shaker cabinets with matte black pulls. Clean, timeless, and on trend.
• Interior doors: Use matte black levers for a sleek, uniform appearance across the home.
• Bathroom vanities: Combine with black-framed mirrors or matte black faucets for a cohesive look.

Style Pairings:

• Scandinavian (light wood, clean lines)
• Modern farmhouse (shiplap walls, black hardware)
• Urban loft (black finishes with raw wood)

Pros:

• Bold and modern
• Doesn’t show fingerprints as easily as glossy finishes
• Pairs well with nearly every cabinet color

Cons:

• Can feel too stark if overused
• Scratches may show more over time on cheaper finishes

Satin Nickel Cabinet & Door Hardware

Satin nickel continues to be a reliable favorite, especially in transitional homes where neither ultra-modern nor vintage vibes are dominant. It has a brushed, muted finish that blends in rather than pops out, making it ideal for mass appeal and professional builds.

Why it’s still popular in 2025:

• Works with cool and warm tones
• Compatible with most appliances
• Fingerprint-resistant and low-maintenance

Best applications include:

• Spec homes or remodels: Builders love it because it appeals to almost every buyer.
• Cabinet styles: Looks great on both slab and shaker-style cabinets.
• Interior doors: It’s a safe choice when you want uniformity throughout the home.

Style Pairings:

• Transitional (gray cabinets, marble counters)
• Coastal (whitewashed woods, soft blues)
• Craftsman (wood tones, clean lines)

Pros:

• Versatile and neutral
• Timeless appeal
• Doesn’t clash with stainless steel appliances

Cons:

• Can feel less exciting or bold
• May appear dull in ultra-modern settings

Pro Design Tip: Use satin nickel for your base finish and layer in bolder accents (like brass lighting or black stools) to create depth.

Matte Brass Cabinet & Door Hardware

Matte brass (or satin brass) offers warmth and elegance without the flashy, overly yellow look of polished brass from decades past. In 2025, it’s become a favorite for luxury kitchens, boutique-style bathrooms, and statement interiors.

What makes matte brass unique:

• It introduces warmth into cool-toned rooms
• Provides a high-end, boutique look
• Works well with dramatic cabinet colors

Best applications include:

• Navy or deep green cabinets: Matte brass brings in a luxurious glow that elevates dark colors.
• Floating vanities or bar cabinets: Adds a rich, sophisticated tone.
• Open shelving kitchens: Try matte brass brackets and handles for visual interest.

Style Pairings:

• Modern vintage
• Art deco revival
• Eclectic interiors
• High-contrast kitchens (black + brass)

Pros:

• Adds luxury and sophistication
• Warmer and more inviting than silver-toned finishes
• Rich contrast without harshness

Cons:

• Needs careful coordination with lighting and appliances
• May clash with polished metals if not matched intentionally

Pro Matching Tip: Combine matte brass hardware with brass fixtures and warm-toned lighting to create a layered, intentional aesthetic.

Mixed Metals: The Designer’s Trick

Mixed metals are no longer a trend—they’re a design strategy. Used properly, mixing matte black, brass, and nickel adds interest and breaks up monotony, especially in open-concept spaces.

Mixing Guidelines:

• Choose one dominant metal (60–70%)
• Use one or two secondary metals for accents (30–40%)
• Keep finish textures consistent (matte with matte, brushed with brushed)

Great combos for 2025:

• Matte black and satin brass (modern warmth)
• Satin nickel and oil-rubbed bronze (classic + contrast)
• Matte black and brushed gold (bold and chic)

Pro Tip for Builders: Use a mixed metal palette in model homes to show versatility. Buyers love seeing how combinations look in real life.

Black Stainless Cabinet Hardware

Black stainless steel is a niche but growing finish. It’s darker than regular stainless, with a subtle metallic sheen that pairs well with modern kitchen appliances.

Where it works best:

• Luxury kitchens with matching black stainless appliances
• Dark cabinet kitchens (espresso, charcoal, navy)
• Contemporary bathrooms with black-framed mirrors and matte black faucets

Pros:

• Fingerprint-resistant
• Adds depth to a kitchen without going full matte black
• Matches modern appliances perfectly

Cons:

• Limited to certain appliance brands
• Can be hard to match with other black hardware if finish sheen varies

What are the kitchen hardware trends for 2025 & 2026?

Upcoming trends include:

• Matte and brushed finishes over polished or shiny ones
• More designers combining finishes for texture and interest
• A shift toward personalized design: mixing metals, bold color cabinetry
• Rise of minimalist shapes with geometric influences
• Increased use of unlacquered brass and aged metals for texture

Can I mix black, brass, and nickel finishes together?

Yes—but do it thoughtfully. Stick to a dominant finish (usually black or nickel), and use the second or third as subtle accents. Keep consistency across room zones (e.g., all kitchen cabinet pulls black, with brass light fixtures). In open-concept homes, make sure adjoining rooms share at least one finish.

Professional Matching Suggestions

Here are smart pairing strategies builders and buyers can follow:

Tips:

• Don’t mix polished and matte versions of the same metal—it can look uncoordinated.
• Match your cabinet hardware with faucet and light fixture finishes when possible.

Summary

In 2025&2026, black, satin nickel, and matte brass dominate the cabinet and door hardware space. Whether you’re building spec homes or renovating your own kitchen, these finishes offer style, flexibility, and timeless appeal. Use them to add contrast, create cohesion, or bring warmth to your space—just follow the mix-and-match rules and you’ll get it right every time.