When it comes to decorating and selecting materials, most people tend to focus on the sense of space or color coordination, often overlooking the unassuming furniture hardware accessories. Yet, these small but significant details have a considerable impact on both the lifespan and aesthetic appeal of home furnishings.

 

Furniture hardware accessories are essential during renovation. While manufacturers may provide some with the purchase of furniture, you also have the option to buy accessories that better match your personal taste and style. This is when a thorough understanding of furniture hardware becomes imperative.

 

(1) Hinges and Butt Hinges

To avoid making unwise choices, the brand of hinges and butt hinges is of utmost importance. Top recommendations include the German brand Hettich and the Austrian brand Blum, which are also budget-friendly. Other brands have their own strengths and weaknesses, so before buying, consider asking for samples or purchasing in-store to ensure you make the right choice. Remember to choose hinges with pure copper hydraulic damping for a more comfortable use.

 

Hinges come in two materials: cold-rolled steel for dry environments like wardrobes and TV cabinets, and stainless steel for damp areas such as bathrooms, balconies, and kitchens.

 

For butt hinges, mainly used on doors, it is recommended to choose from pure copper or 304 stainless steel to prevent rust and extend the product life.

 

(2) Drawer Slides

The importance of drawer slides is second only to hinges. When purchasing, pay attention to the structure and material of the slides.

 

When selecting drawer slides for cabinets, pay attention to their load-bearing capacity. Inferior materials can lead to weaker slides. The best design currently available is the slide that connects to the cabinet as a whole, followed by the three-point connection, which also needs to be easy to disassemble.

 

For drawer slides, the quality of materials is crucial. It is advisable to visit a physical store to understand the material and design details, feel the slides with your hands, and opt for those that feel substantial, with high hardness and weight, as they are generally of good quality.

 

When purchasing cabinet hardware accessories, they must be compatible with the cabinet. Therefore, the model requirements for accessories such as drawer slides are very strict, with slide length and drawer requirements being key considerations.

 

If the drawer is to hold very heavy items, pay special attention to the load-bearing capacity of the drawer slides and the number of push-pull cycles they can withstand under load.

 

(3) Cabinet Kick Plates

There are two types of cabinet kick plates: wooden and metal. Manufacturers typically use offcuts from cabinet production for wooden kick plates, which are cost-effective.

 

However, since kick plates are close to the ground, wooden materials are prone to absorbing moisture and becoming damp, with the potential for water vapor to rise and affect the entire cabinet. This is why some cabinets may swell at one end after a period of use.

 

Metal kick plates with waterproof rubber have long been recognized and favored by the market for their waterproof, moisture-proof, mildew-resistant, and rust-free properties. They are also aesthetically pleasing, durable, and virtually indestructible unless deliberately damaged.

 

(4) Pull-out Baskets

Hardware pull-out baskets offer ample storage space and can reasonably divide the area, ensuring that various items and utensils have their place.

 

Pull-out baskets can be categorized into stove baskets, three-sided baskets, drawer baskets, ultra-narrow baskets, high-depth baskets, and corner baskets, among others, depending on their specific uses.

 

(5) Floor Drains

Hardware floor drains are mainly divided into two types based on market trends: water seal drains and self-sealing drains.

 

Water Seal Drains: These are not commonly used nowadays, as they require a certain depth of the downstream pipe and do not offer effective odor prevention.

 

Self-sealing Drains: These include T-type drains and lead weight drains, which automatically open the bottom baffle during drainage and close it when not in use, providing better odor and insect prevention. It is recommended to choose self-sealing drains.

 

In terms of material, both brass and stainless steel are available, with brass being more expensive. Stainless steel is recommended for its higher cost-performance ratio. For the self-sealing drain core, there is no need to buy high-quality ones; plastic is sufficient, as it drains quickly, is easy to replace when broken, and is very affordable.

 

(6) Faucets

Faucets can be considered one of the most user-friendly components in the kitchen, yet their quality is often overlooked during selection. Experience has shown that faucets are among the most problematic areas in the kitchen.

 

If you use a low-cost, poor-quality faucet, the consequences of leaks or failure to close in time can be very serious. Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention to the quality of the faucet when purchasing.

 

(7) Sofa Legs

When selecting a sofa, most people do not pay attention to the legs, focusing instead on the most visible aspects such as fabric, style, color, and comfort. Of course, these factors are also essential for a good sofa.

 

As an indispensable part of a sofa, legs come in various styles and materials, including wood, stainless steel, iron, aluminum alloy, and zinc alloy, with surface treatments and colors to match the sofa and the overall indoor design style.

 

Generally, metal sofa legs have a shiny surface that suits modern-style sofas. This type may be heavier than wooden or plastic legs, but the stability and durability of metal are their advantages. However, some sofa legs do not burden the floor too much. For example, aluminum sofa legs are lightweight and have a unique appearance. Stainless steel sofa legs are also lightweight and an excellent choice for small sofas.

 

(8) Sinks

Sinks are one of the most frequently used metal hardware items in the kitchen, making their selection particularly important.

 

Common sinks are mostly made of stainless steel, artificial stone, ceramic, and stone materials, depending on the homeowner's preferences and the overall style of the kitchen.

 

If the kitchen has a modern and avant-garde style, a stainless steel sink is appropriate.

 

This choice is not only because of the metallic texture of stainless steel, which has a modern feel, but more importantly, because stainless steel is easy to clean, lightweight, and has advantages such as corrosion resistance, high-temperature resistance, and moisture resistance, meeting the quality of life requirements of modern people.

 

If you prefer seamless designs, artificial marble or granite sinks are good choices, with no seams and sturdy durability. However, they are a bit more expensive, and it is best to avoid light colors.

 

Ceramic sinks are not recommended for kitchens; they may look good but are not practical. They are suitable for bathrooms.

 

The depth of the sink should be at least 20cm; too shallow, and it is easy to splash water. The width of a single sink is generally greater than 55cm, which can accommodate a basin within a basin, a draining basin, a draining rack, etc., turning a single sink into a double sink.

 

(9) Handles

Handles are used in many places, and there are many materials and styles available. If you don't know how to choose, you can focus on the color and design sense, as the chances of making a mistake with this type of hardware are minimal. If your home's cabinets are designed without handles, you can skip this section.

 

(10) Coffee Table Legs

In the pursuit of taste and practicality in home decoration, the choice of table legs is particularly crucial. From elegant and sturdy fashionable coffee table legs to the stable and exquisite support structure of modern coffee tables, every detail requires careful consideration.

 

The ideal table legs should not only blend into the overall style of your room and harmonize with the home decoration but also fulfill their intended functions, whether as the dignified support of an entryway table, the solid base of a desk, or the stable foundation of a kitchen table. They are both the finishing touch of home design and a capable assistant in meeting various practical needs.

 

When purchasing coffee table legs, please pay close attention to the materials they are made of. Solid wood legs can create a retro look but require more maintenance than metal legs, which are durable and modern. Regardless of whether you choose wood or metal, ensure that the quality is high to avoid instability or premature wear.