The urge to renovate or remodel has struck Americans with quite the force in recent years; in 2018, approximately 14% of homeowners planned to make improvements to their kitchens. However, as an area of the home that can offer a profound return on investment, it definitely comes with its costs. If your budget is looking a little tighter than usual but you're desperate for a change, there are smaller, more affordable upgrades you can make to the heart of your home. Let's take a look at how swapping out your hardware for cabinets can transform your kitchen. The Metal Makes The Mood Generally speaking, mixing metals isn't always a great idea. Many home decorators recommend that there be no more than two metals in the kitchen at once -- and stainless steel appliances count as one type of metal. After all, you're going for a coherent look; unless your home's theme is chaotic (or bohemian), you'll want to make sure that your door and cabinet hardware and accessories are all on the same page; if you're mixing materials (such as chrome and brass), the aesthetics of your kitchen is going to be disjointed and potentially unsightly. Knobs, Handles, And Pulls, Oh My! Once you've figured out the finish of your cabinet pulls, you need to decide what they're actually going to look like. With so many different types of hardware products to choose from, you've really got your pick of the litter. As long as you've decided on one or two (matching) metal finishes, you're free to go buck wild with shapes and sizes! Traditionally, knobs and handles are used for cabinet doors while handles and pulls are favored on drawers. Since you're the one who's going to be using your kitchen the most, simply choose whatever hardware products feel the most comfortable in your hands. Upgrading your kitchen cabinet and drawer hardware can make a big difference for a small price. If you really want to go all out, you can invest in cabinet drawer slides and even repaint your cabinets; you'll be able to fully experience a new space with completely gutting it -- or going broke.