Hardware choices in today's market are as diverse as the homeowners doing the choosing. When it comes to selecting decorative hardware, options should reflect your individual tastes while complementing a home's personality.

Colors, materials, textures and styles seem infinite and can easily overwhelm even the most seasoned remodeler. After you pinpoint what appeals to you, you can progress right into customizing finishes, colors, designs, and other details. Many times a design professional can assist in defining your style and narrowing down the massive selections to a few flattering hardware choices, making your project a good deal easier and much more enjoyable.

One basic rule is to make sure your decorative hardware's finish doesn't clash with exposed functional hardware such as hinges and other pieces. For example, polished chrome pulls in a kitchen with a bronze faucet most likely will not provide the visual appeal and coordinated look desired. You can change the entire character of the kitchen and cabinetry just by switching the hardware.

Popular materials include recycled glass, leather, bamboo and the ever popular oil-rubbed bronze. Polished nickel is a nice choice for a sophisticated, elegant look while chrome finishes complete a retro look.

As in tiles, anything that is molded or hammered, with a human touch to it, is hot right now due to contemporary and Asian influences. Contemporary styles are featuring hammered metals, coppers, and more colors such as colored tile or glass mixed in with metals. Stainless steel and contemporary steel are still standards but are available in more shapes to choose from today. Mixing hardware such as one section of a kitchen or cupboard having completely different hardware than the rest of the room is also gaining in popularity.

But beware the most common mistakes when selecting hardware. Make sure measurements are correct. When replacing hardware on existing cabinets, make sure to precisely match the current drill holes; an alternative is to buy hardware that will cover up those holes. When replacing knobs and pulls on stained cabinets, make sure the footprint of the new piece is the same size or larger so there's no shadow of the old footprint.

Select elements that are going to be easy to maintain and not require polishing and special care, particularly in kitchen cabinets. You want pieces that are unaffected with use.

Armed with these tips and your insider's view of what's trendy locally for 2008, you are well on your way to a successful project when accessorizing your kitchen by updating your home's decorative hardware.

Resources:

• Alexander Marchant (512) 462-1444
• Allen & Allen (210) 733-9191
• Architects & Heros (512) 467-9393
• BMC West (512) 456-2000
• Ferguson Austin, (512) 445-5140; San Antonio, (210) 344-3013
• Kiva Kitchen & Bath Austin, (512) 454-4526; San Antonio, (210) 826-9652
• Restoration Hardware Austin, (512) 342-0614; San Antonio, (210) 828-2953