If you long for a home refresh but don’t want to make a big financial investment, a hardware swap might be just what you’re looking for. A hardware swap means updating the hardware in your home’s kitchen, bathrooms, and other areas, including knobs, handles, hooks, etc. This DIY hardware swap guide, brought to you by NSA Storage, will help you pick the right hardware to give your home a fresh look for spring!

What’s So Great about a Spring Hardware Swap?

Replacing the hardware in your home might not sound like much, but the difference it can make is surprising. Compared to a full remodel, a hardware swap is an affordable way to make a noticeable, attractive difference in your home.

Some of the best reasons to do a hardware swap in spring include: 

• It’s a low-cost but high-impact DIY home refresh project.
• Most folks can finish a hardware swap in a day or a leisurely weekend.
• No demolition, major tools, painting, or expensive contractors are needed.

What Common Hardware Types Can You Swap?

In home improvement, hardware can refer to a lot of things, but in this case it refers to the functional or decorative metal fixtures in kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways.

Here’s the hardware you can swap throughout your home:

• Cabinet knobs or pulls
• Drawer knobs or pulls
• Cabinet and door hinges
• Towel bars and rings
• TP holders
• Faucets
• Showerheads
• Shower curtain rods and hooks
• Vanity knobs and pulls
• Door knobs
• Laundry and entryway hooks 

Choosing the Right Hardware

Let’s take a look at all three:

Finish / Aesthetics

The finish on your new hardware can be anything you like. Your choices might be limited by the style of home you already have, or the one you’d like to copy.

• Matte Black is best for modern, farmhouse, or industrial-style homes.
• Brushed Nickel is versatile, hides wear, and fits both traditional and modern homes.
• Chrome is bright, clean, and goes well with traditional homes.
• Brass / Gold Tones will give your home a warm, vintage, upscale look.
• Oil-rubbed Bronze is a good choice for rustic homes as well as traditional.

Size / Proportion

Size and proportion refer to the traditional sizes of most home hardware and what they work best with. 

Here are a few facts about size and proportion to help you choose correctly:

• Knobs work best on small cabinets with small doors.
• Cabinet pulls are usually 3 to 6 inches long and look best on larger doors.
• Longer pulls are the preferred choice for oversize drawers.
• Bathroom towel bars are typically 18 to 24 inches long.

Installation Compatibility

Installation compatibility is an important factor to keep in mind during your swap, for several reasons. 

Here are a few real-world examples to help explain:

• If new hardware isn’t compatible, old holes might be visible, off center, or too small / large.
• Some hardware like towel bars use drywall anchors. Taking out the old hardware might leave you with a repair job when installing the new.
• Hardware is often mounted to a stud, which is the best scenario for removal and installation.

How to Avoid the Biggest DIY Hardware Swap Mistakes

Swapping hardware is a fairly easy project, but there are a few things that can go wrong and make the project more difficult or time-consuming. 

Here are a few things to watch out for when removing / installing your new hardware.

• Don’t overtighten screws. This can crack your new hardware or damage other surfaces.
• Be sure to use a level and check frequently, especially with towel bars.
• Be sure new hardware has the same hole spacing as the old.
• When possible, install towel bar holders into studs for maximum strength.

Let NSA Storage Help with Your Spring Projects

As we’ve seen, a DIY hardware swap involves mostly small hardware like knobs, pulls, towel bars, etc. But if your hardware swap is part of a larger project, like renovating a kitchen or bathroom, a storage unit might be a great choice for you. Here’s why:

• You can store new appliances, cabinets, flooring, etc., while the renovations are ongoing.
• Storing your nice furniture and valuable belongings in a storage unit will keep them safe and clean.
• If you’re selling, you can use the storage unit while you “stage” your home.
• If you’re a seasonal swapper, you can store things you don’t need until next year.

If renting a storage unit would be helpful to your situation, NSA Storage is here for you! You can reserve a storage unit online, and it will be ready when you arrive. With month-to-month leases, you can rent for as short or long as you need. Your spring renovations are in the right hands with NSA Storage.