Vintage-Inspired Hardware Ideas To Give Drawers And Cabinets Lived-In Charm

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Interior design isn't just about perfection. It's about making your house feel like a home. Expert designers know that blending multiple decorating styles in a room is crucial to achieving a balanced, lived-in space. One way to make your interior feel more homey is by adding pops of vintage-inspired pieces. And swapping out the knobs and pulls on cabinet doors and drawers is a super-easy and affordable method of elevating the vibe of a room. However, this doesn't just apply in your kitchen. You can upgrade the drawer pulls to different pieces of furniture throughout your home.

The beauty of vintage-inspired decor is that you have decades of design to choose from. That means, no matter your personal style, you can likely find an era that fits your aesthetic. Plus, swapping out pulls and handles is a beginner-friendly DIY project that can be done with simple tools. So, before you throw out that old dresser or remodel your kitchen, consider these easy and effective hacks.

Antique bail pulls feature a swinging handle suspended between two posts. A dining room buffet is the perfect backdrop for these timeless pieces, adding extra storage for plates and linens while delivering a touch of elegance. This combination is a match made in vintage heaven. The ornate appearance of the bail handle pairs beautifully with the buffet, creating an heirloom-inspired feel. If you don't yet have a buffet but you love the idea of this chic storage piece, discover the biggest difference between a kitchen buffet and a sideboard, and which is right for your home. Bail pulls can work on both and make them look intentional and well-curated.

There are several different types of antique bail pulls. Victorian brass bail pulls are ornate and typically include detailed shapes or floral motifs. If you want an authentic piece that will hold its value, the Keeler Brass Co. is one of the most well-known vintage manufacturers, highly regarded for its fine craftsmanship and value. You can also buy them on Amazon for a bargain alternative, like this LynnsGraceland Antique Brass Bail Drawer Pull.

If your dresser looks a little uninspired, swapping in vintage pulls with ornate backplates can completely transform its look. These pieces come in everything from detailed florals to sleek, understated designs, giving you plenty of options whether your style leans bold or minimal. Against painted wood, the detail of the backplate adds instant character and contrast. Even a small update like this can make your piece look thoughtfully restored rather than simply functional.

If you already have simple hardware, you can actually add backplates. Sometimes, giving your pulls an elaborate backdrop can completely transform your drawers. For example, the Cosmas Cabinet Hardware Knob Backplate adds a touch of detail behind standard knobs. You can also add a decorative backplate to the top drawer of your dresser to give a keyhole appearance, paying homage to antique drawers that required a key to open. This small addition adds a sense of character and history to your clothing storage.

Common in early 1900s furniture, ring pulls add an additional tactile quality to any drawer. They have a single ring that can be used to pull open the drawer. They come in a wide range of designs and finishes, making them ideal for bedrooms of any style. Adding them to your bedside table or nightstand boosts its visual appeal, and they are great for giving your personal space a splash of vintage detail.

Choosing the right ring pulls for your furniture depends on your personal tastes and the overall aesthetic of the room. Quirky versions add a whimsical, eclectic charm that suits playful or bohemian interiors. Fleur de lis-shaped handles introduce a classic European flair, making them ideal for bedrooms with traditional or French country decor. For a more understated look, simple circular pulls offer sleek elegance, especially if you don't want to risk clashing with your modern pieces. Ring pulls with retro flower backplates, like these vintage-inspired Lxz Antique Brass Ring Pulls, can create a nostalgic, retro vibe.

You'll recognize bin or cup pulls by their half-moon shape and open underside, making them practical for quick, easy access. Historically used for library card catalogs and apothecary drawers, they bring a sense of intellectual style. Upgrading your filing cabinet may be an afterthought, but adding vintage bin pulls instantly elevates it from purely functional to chic and professional.

A unique home office setup should inspire your creativity, and that extends to your storage pieces. In fact, vintage bin pulls can help your office cabinet become an intentional statement piece. You can decide whether you want the bin pulls to complement the serious, intellectual setup or if you want them to add a lighthearted touch to the room. For example, a more refined choice would be a matte, iron or aged silver option like Cosmas Weathered Nickel Drawer Handle Pull. If you're after something more playful, go for a seashell or other whimsical shape, like Brosay Store's Shell Cup Handles. Or for a bit of neutral detail, an option like these Antique Brass Cabinet Cup Pulls can add a vintage vibe to a wide variety of aesthetics.

If you're working within a budget or craving a custom look, thrifting wooden pulls and giving them a paint refresh is a creative fix. Wooden pulls take paint well, but you can also easily spray paint metal ones in the color of your choice. Use stencils to add florals, geometric patterns, or monograms for a personalized accent. If you have an artistic side, you can also freehand designs with a small paintbrush for a truly custom look.

Geometric designs, bold patterns, and bright colors make these pulls stand out, and it's an ideal way to add pops of color to your kitchen or bathroom cabinets. Then, coordinate your pulls with accessories like towels or window treatments for a polished look. Acrylic paint, like Apple Barrel's Vibrant Spectrum Collection, is highly saturated and easy to use, making it an ideal choice for upcycling your vintage pulls. 

If your dresser is looking a little plain, nothing adds visual interest like ornate, Victorian pulls. Look for intricate floral motifs, scrollwork, and even mythical creatures that channel Victorian-era drama. These pieces are especially striking on a traditional master bedroom dresser but work just as well on modern furniture for an eclectic, contrast-driven statement. You can find authentic or reproduction Victorian pulls at antique shops, flea markets, specialty hardware stores, or online retailers like Etsy and eBay.

Victorian pulls cover a wide range of styles, including bail pulls, ring pulls, and knobs. Another unique style to consider is the drop pull. This kind of pull has an ornament that hangs down, adding an extra boost of whimsical charm. Often shaped like teardrops, shields, or urns, drop pulls bring a sense of movement and elegance to an otherwise static surface. You can choose between a variety of finishes, including gold, pewter, silver, brass, and black.

If ornate isn't your thing, the Arts and Crafts style offers simplicity from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Perfect for a rustic kitchen or farmhouse-inspired space, these pieces of hardware emphasize clean lines and perfectly imperfect finishes. Swapping your cabinet pulls for Arts and Crafts-era styles is an easy way to bring warmth and history into a modern kitchen. Their timeless look will blend with both contemporary and vintage pieces, creating an easy way to tie the space together.

Many Arts and Crafts pulls share a few distinct features, but there is still a range of style variations. The geometric, industrial aesthetic can be expressed in several ways. One option is a simple square shape, like Hickory Hardware's Craftsman Collection Black Iron Knob, which is ideal if you want something understated. For more detail, mission-style bail pulls, like Hickory Hardware's Old Mission Collection Luxury Cabinet Handles, combine the era's rustic textures with the iconic pyramid head look.

There are lots of ways to make your master bathroom feel like a luxury oasis, and that includes elevating the small details. For a space that leans luxurious, you can't beat the glamour of art deco pulls. Characterized by geometric shapes, metallic finishes, and symmetrical designs, they are another ideal option if you want to mix modern and antique decor. Landing somewhere between traditional, turn-of-the-century design and 20^th-century modernism, art deco pulls are an excellent way to elevate your master bathroom cabinets. Whether you're updating a full vanity or just a few bathroom drawers, this style of hardware brings a timeless sense of luxury.

Gold or brass art deco hardware, like BaiNong's Brushed Pulls, will create an impressive look. If your goal is to design a polished, sophisticated atmosphere, try pairing the warm-toned hardware with white cabinets and marble countertops. Then, echo the brass tones in other fixtures, such as faucets, mirrors, or light sconces, to create a cohesive and intentional look. 

For a Mid-century Modern pull with an extra boost of retro charm, look for ones with the era's iconic starburst shape, like the Arthur Knob from Anthropology. This atomic-age detail turns a simple piece of furniture into a standout. The style works beautifully on dressers, nightstands, or even small credenzas. This is just one easy way to upgrade your drawer hardware for a chic, new look.

If you already have knobs and want to emulate the starburst look, you can do so with a budget-friendly painting project. You'll just need a starburst stencil (a set like Yanroom's Twinkle Star Stencils can allow you to pinpoint the right size) and metallic spray paint. Rust-Oleum's Specialty Metallic Spray Paint is a tried-and-true option. You'll need to remove the hardware and take the drawer out of the dresser or nightstand, and spray paint your design centered with the knob's mounting hole. Then, spray paint the hardware to match for a seamless look.