Choosing the right metal finishes to pair with medium wood cabinets can really elevate the style and aesthetic of your kitchen. The metal hardware and fixtures act as accents that add visual interest, depth, and dimension to the natural, warm wood cabinetry. When well-coordinated, the metals and wood play off each other beautifully.
There are several metal options that work seamlessly with medium wood cabinets. However, the choice depends on the exact cabinet style, wood type, countertops, backsplash, and the overall kitchen decor. By thoughtfully selecting metal finishes that complement the wood tone and kitchen design, you can make your cabinetry really stand out.
Brushed Nickel
Brushed nickel is a versatile metal that pairs nicely with a wide range of wood cabinet colors. It has a soft, brushed appearance that adds an understated elegance perfect for traditional, transitional, or even contemporary kitchens.
The cool, gray undertones of brushed nickel complement woods like maple, oak, cherry, and birch beautifully. It provides enough contrast to stand out against the wood while still blending seamlessly into the overall kitchen aesthetic.
Brushed nickel hardware and fixtures come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Try satin nickel or oil-rubbed bronze knobs and handles for a more modern vibe. Or opt for more traditional nickel bars, hooks, and pulls to match medium wood cabinets with a classic style.
Brushed nickel looks stunning with white, gray, and beige countertops like quartz, marble, or granite. You can also accent with a beige, gray, or stone mosaic backsplash. The muted nickel hue allows the natural wood cabinets to take center stage while still adding stylish accents.
Matte Black
For a more modern, bold look, match medium wood cabinets with matte black metal elements. The deep, dark black makes a sophisticated contrast against warm wood tones in any style of kitchen. It allows the wood’s natural grain to shine through while adding a dose of drama.
Matte black knobs, handles, pulls, bars, and fixtures have an understated elegance that works with virtually any cabinetry color. The flat finish and lack of shine keep the look refined. Matte black brings a contemporary edge, but avoids looking too trendy or flashy.
Use matte black hardware and accents with oak, walnut, mahogany, teak, or maple cabinets to add stylish definition. It also pairs gorgeously with concrete, quartzite, or soapstone countertops. For the backsplash, try a crisp white or soft beige subway tile to provide enough contrast.
Oil-Rubbed Bronze
With an antique feel, oil-rubbed bronze has a dark, earthy look that blends beautifully with medium wood cabinetry. The brownish bronze tone and slight metallic sheen complement the warm, natural hues of the wood.
Oil-rubbed bronze offers a unique aged or weathered appearance that feels relaxed and rustic. It works with mission, farmhouse, or arts & crafts style medium wood cabinets for a vintage vibe.
Try oil-rubbed bronze with oak, pine, hickory, chestnut, or rustic alder cabinets to enhance the wood’s knots, grains, and imperfections. Pair with beige, white, or multicolored granite countertops along with a brick, marble, or textured tile backsplash for rustic charm.
Flat bar handles, round knobs, hooks, and wide cabinet pulls are all striking oil-rubbed bronze options. You can add accent lighting, sconces, or pendants in a matching finish to tie the whole kitchen together.
Polished Chrome
For a look that’s modern, sleek, and elegant, pair medium wood cabinets with polished chrome hardware and fixtures. The clean, shiny chrome has a futuristic feel that creates visual contrast against the wood’s natural warmth.
The reflective surface and silver-tone of polished chrome make it an eye-catching accent. Its high-shine appearance works best with very smooth cabinetry in darker wood tones like walnut, mahogany, teak, or wenge.
Try pairing polished chrome with a crisp white, gray, or black countertop and backsplash. The stark contrast helps the cabinetry stand out while the chrome adds modern sophistication. Streamlined bar pulls, tubular handles, or angular knobs work nicely.
Stainless Steel
Similar to chrome, stainless steel also has a very modern, minimalist look when paired with wood cabinets. But it tends to have a bit warmer, grayer tone that blends more easily than chrome. The clean, neutral metal finish lets the beauty of the wood cabinetry shine.
Stainless steel hardware looks great on maple, birch, ash, oak, and walnut cabinets. Matte finishes help soften the contrast and any industrial feel. Or try a brushed stainless for a bit more warmth and sheen.
For countertops, stick with bright whites, sleek grays, or stark black quartz, granite, or concrete. Add in a geometric glass, marble, or metal backsplash for lots of texture. Keep handles and knobs streamlined and minimalist to match the modern style.
Antique Brass
With vintage appeal, antique brass hardware brings a sense of refined, old-world elegance to medium wood cabinets. The golden tone looks upscale and lustrous against rich wood grain.
Antique brass has a softer, duller finish compared to polished brass for a more subdued look. The aged, almost bronze-like patina adds a touch of charm. Antique brass fixtures, handles, and pulls bring ornate detail to wood cabinetry.
This metal pairs nicely with traditional oak, cherry, and mahogany cabinets as well as distressed wood styles. Try a classic white, beige, or black granite countertop with a metal, marble, or glass mosaic backsplash for timeless sophistication.
Polished Gold
For seriously glamorous kitchens, choose polished gold hardware and accents to make medium wood cabinets the star. The shining gold finish looks indulgent and decadent against warm, natural wood tones.
Polished gold has an undeniably luxurious, upscale look that works with formal, elegant kitchen designs. The bright metallic finish pops against darker woods like cherry, walnut, or mahogany.
Pair gold hardware with a marble, quartzite, or granite countertop in a beige hue. Opt for a stone or glass backsplash for lots of texture. Gold cage pulls, knobs, bars, and sconces create a lavish vibe.
Oil-Rubbed Bronze
With an antique feel, oil-rubbed bronze has a dark, earthy look that blends beautifully with medium wood cabinetry. The brownish bronze tone and slight metallic sheen complement the warm, natural hues of the wood.
Oil-rubbed bronze offers a unique aged or weathered appearance that feels relaxed and rustic. It works with mission, farmhouse, or arts & crafts style medium wood cabinets for a vintage vibe.
Try oil-rubbed bronze with oak, pine, hickory, chestnut, or rustic alder cabinets to enhance the wood’s knots, grains, and imperfections. Pair with beige, white, or multicolored granite countertops along with a brick, marble, or textured tile backsplash for rustic charm.
Flat bar handles, round knobs, hooks, and wide cabinet pulls are all striking oil-rubbed bronze options. You can add accent lighting, sconces, or pendants in a matching finish to tie the whole kitchen together.
Black Iron
Black iron brings an industrial edge to medium wood cabinets for an urban loft, modern farmhouse look. The inky black metal pops against light and mid-tone wood cabinets. And it blends seamlessly into darker woods like walnut or espresso.
Square black iron pulls, handles, and knobs have an architectural feel that pairs well with straight, clean lines and geometric kitchen designs. Or opt for decorative wrought iron fixtures and accents for an ornamental style.
Black iron looks bold and modern against oak, pecan, birch, or maple cabinetry. Try open shelving in a matching black iron finish for an on-trend vibe. Concrete, stone, or marble countertops also complement the deep black accents nicely.
Bronze
For a rich, elegant look, pair medium brown cabinets with bronze hardware and fixtures. The rosy undertones of bronze bring out the depth and dimension in wood grains for an upscale feel.
Polished bronze in a satin or oil-rubbed finish has an ornate,Almost vintage appearance that works well in traditional kitchens. The metallic sheen accentuates cabinet details like raised panels and carvings.
Bronze pulls, knobs, and handles pop against darker woods like cherry, mahogany, or walnut. Lighter bronzes also pair nicely with maple or birch cabinetry. Try a neutral beige or white countertop material along with a mosaic glass backsplash.
Pewter
With soft gray hues and a lightly brushed finish, pewter hardware brings a cottage charm to medium wood cabinets. The muted metallic pairs nicely with painted or stained oak, pine, ash, or fir cabinetry.
Pewter has a whimsical, artsy feel that fits shabby chic, French country, or farmhouse kitchen designs beautifully. Intricate handles, knobs, and pulls add sweet details to play up the wood’s rustic appeal.
Try pairing pewter with pastel quartz or granite countertops in shades of gray, blue, pink or green. Add in a fun patterned tile, ceramic, or glass backsplash for lots of homey texture.
Gold
For a dramatic, glamorous contrast, pair medium wood cabinets with shining gold hardware and fixtures. The bright, bold metal pops against natural wood while creating an ambiance of luxury and sophistication.
Polished gold knobs, handles, and pulls make a striking statement against darker woods like cherry, walnut, and mahogany. Brighter gold tones also complement lighter birch, maple or oak beautifully.
Gold hardware pairs nicely with white, beige, gray, blue, or green painted cabinets as well. Try coordinating with a marble, quartzite, or granite countertop. A mirrored or glass backsplash reflects light beautifully.
Silver
Cool-toned silver hardware brings a clean, crisp, modern feel to medium wood cabinets. The metallic gray sheen stands out against warm wood tones while avoiding a stark contrast. This makes silver a versatile option for wood cabinets of varying styles.
Sleek silver pulls, handles, and knobs pair nicely with contemporary cabinetry in maple, oak, birch, and ash for a minimalist look. Or try antique silver fixtures and accents on darker woods like cherry or walnut for vintage flair.
Silver coordinates well with white, gray, or black countertops including quartz, granite, and concrete. A matching silver or chrome backsplash adds lots of bright, light-reflecting texture.
Copper
Warm copper hardware and fixtures add a beautiful glow to medium wood cabinetry in kitchens of various styles. The rosy metallic sheen brings out the richness and dimension in the natural wood grains.
Copper knobs and cup pulls have an artisanal, handcrafted look on cabinets like oak, maple, cherry, and pine. The soft pinkish tone enhances the wood’s knots, flaws, and markings. Hammered copper brings rustic farmhouse charm while polished copper leans modern.
Pair copper with beige, gray, or multicolored granite countertops along with ceramic, stone, or glass backsplashes. The natural materials complement each other beautifully. Copper pendant lights, sconces, or range hoods complete the elegant look.
Dark Bronze
For bold contrast and vintage appeal, pair medium wood cabinets with rich, dark bronze hardware and accents. The nearly black brown tone feels dramatic and luxe against the wood’s warm hues.
Dark bronze brings instant sophistication and dimension when paired with lighter birch, oak, maple, or pecan cabinets. It also blends seamlessly into darker cherry, mahogany, and walnut for seamless flow.
Traditional fleur de lis pulls, decorative detailed handles, and embellished knobs add ornate elegance. Multiple bar pulls create strong horizontal lines. Wrought iron fixtures and candle sconces enhance the vintage vibe.
Dark bronze pops against bright white and beige countertops while coordinating seamlessly with black and gray. For backsplashes, mix metals and colors like bronze tiles, hammered copper, or multi-toned stone.
Antique Copper
With vintage authenticity, antique copper hardware adds a charming patina that brings out the beauty in medium wood cabinetry. The mottled greenish-brown finish looks aged and well-loved against any wood tone.
The soft, dull sheen of antique copper adds elegance and accentuates the wood’s natural distressing, knots, and imperfections. It has an artisanal, handcrafted quality perfect for Tuscan, farmhouse, or craftsman style kitchens.
Antique copper pairs nicely with oak, alder, birch, pine, or hickory cabinets. Try coordinating with cream, gray, or multicolored granite countertops and a stone or brick backsplash for rustic warmth. Copper dome pendant lights work beautifully too.
Unlacquered Brass
For relaxed vintage edge, unlacquered brass hardware adds a lovely lived-in look and feel to medium wood cabinets. The mellow golden tones bring warmth while the muting enhances the natural wood character.
Unlacquered brass develops a patinated finish over time that focuses attention on the wood grain, knots, and markings. The mellowed metallic appearance fits right in with weathered, distressed, or antiqued cabinetry styles.
This versatile metal pairs well with lighter maples, birches, and oaks or richer mahoganies, walnuts, and cherries. Countertops in neutral beiges, grays, and whites along with patterned tile or stone backsplashes create balance.
Wrought Iron
Ornate wrought iron hardware and accents add a traditional, old-world elegance to medium wood cabinetry. The dark, aged metal feels fitting for French, Tuscan, and Old English style kitchens.
Wrought iron pulls, knobs, handles, and fixtures feature beautiful decorative detailing that accentuates the classic styling of many wood cabinets. The dark finish pops against light woods and blends into richer walnut and mahogany tones.
For a very classic look, pair oil-rubbed wrought iron with oak or pine cabinetry along with creamy marble countertops and a stone or ceramic tile backsplash. Or try polished wrought iron with cherry or maple cabinets and sleek granite surfaces.
Wood
For kitchens with an organic, nature-inspired look, choose wood hardware in a finish that coordinates with the cabinetry. Matching wood elements blend seamlessly into the cabinets for a cohesive, flowing appearance.
Unfinished, natural wood handles and knobs emphasize the raw, rustic look of knotty pine or oak cabinets. Stained wood pulls in ebony or dark cherry enhance the richness of walnut, mahogany, and cherry cabinets.
Pair wood cabinet hardware with stone or concrete countertops and natural textured tile or brick backsplashes. Use wood for open shelving, butcher block surfaces, and even pendant lighting. The repetitive natural texture creates harmony.
Hammered Iron
With artisanal appeal, hammered iron brings a handcrafted look and feel to medium wood cabinets. The dappled, hammered finish adds dimension and visual interest against the wood’s organic grain patterns.
Rustic hammered iron pairs nicely with distressed woods like weathered oak, knotty pine, or salvaged barnwood. The imperfect metal and wood textures play off each other beautifully. Or try hammered iron against clean-lined modern cabinetry for striking contrast.
Hammered iron works with wood countertops like butcher block as well as stone surfaces such as granite, quartzite, or concrete. Add in exposed brick, reclaimed wood, or multicolored tile backsplashes to continue the handmade look.
Bronze with Patina
For instant antiquity and a sophisticated style, pair medium wood cabinets with bronze hardware that has an aged patina. The soft green oxidation creates lovely contrast against wood grains of varying depths and dimension.
Patinated bronze adds elegance and allure to traditional cherry, walnut, and mahogany cabinets. But it can also bring vintage character to painted and modern woods. Multiple patinated bronze knobs lined up neatly on cabinet doors make a bold style statement.
Pair patinated bronze with beige and white marbled countertops or concrete surfaces. Antique mirror, marble, and metal tile backsplashes reflect light beautifully and complement the aged brass look.
Choosing the Right Metal Finish
With so many gorgeous metal choices, selecting hardware and fixtures to pair with medium wood cabinets can feel overwhelming. Keep these tips in mind as you coordinate metals and woods:
- Consider the exact wood species and stain. Metals in shades of bronze, nickel, pewter, and silver tend to work with most woods. Golds and coppers pop against darker stains.
- Match the metal with your kitchen style. Brushed metals suit modern and industrial. Distressed and patinated metals work for vintage. Polished metals look elegant and upscale.
- Contrast highly polished woods with textured metals like hammered iron or oil-rubbed bronze. Duller satin woods can be matched with polished chrome and stainless steel.
- Factor in countertops and backsplashes. Metals should blend with or elegantly contrast stone and tile materials and colors.
- Be selective with mixed metals. Limiting it to two finishes creates cohesion. The key is finding a shared tone, texture, finish, or style.
- Use metal finishes in lighting, sinks, and appliances to tie the whole kitchen together nicely. Repeating finishes creates good flow.
With careful selection, the right metal hardware, fixtures, and accents can really enhance medium wood cabinets. Just be sure to thoughtfully coordinate the finish, style, and colors with your kitchen decor. The results will be a beautifully curated, polished space you’ll love spending time in.