The Hardware Details That Make or Break a Craftsman Home

Oil-Rubbed Bronze and Hammered Copper: Hardware That Completes the Craftsman Look

Hardware is the jewelry of a Craftsman home. The wrong hinges, pulls, and fixtures can undermine authentic woodwork as surely as the wrong paint color. Original Arts and Crafts homes featured specific hardware styles that complemented their honest construction philosophy—and modern reproductions make achieving that look straightforward.

The Craftsman Hardware Philosophy

Gustav Stickley and his contemporaries rejected the ornate, mass-produced hardware of Victorian homes. Instead, they favored:

Visible function: Hardware that looks like what it is—hinges that clearly pivot, pulls that obviously grip. No decorative flourishes hiding practical purpose.

Hand-worked appearance: Hammer marks, slight irregularities, and matte finishes that suggest individual craftsmanship rather than factory uniformity.

Natural materials: Copper, bronze, and iron that age gracefully and develop patina over time. These materials connected indoor hardware to outdoor metalwork like porch lights and gate hinges.

Integration with woodwork: Hardware sized and finished to complement rather than contrast with quarter-sawn oak and Douglas fir trim.

Oil-Rubbed Bronze: The Versatile Standard

Oil-rubbed bronze emerged as the dominant Craftsman hardware finish for good reasons:

Warm undertones: The brownish-black finish picks up red and gold tones that complement oak’s natural color. This warmth reads more inviting than stark black iron.

Living finish: True oil-rubbed bronze develops patina as oils from hands and environmental exposure affect the surface. High-contact areas lighten while protected areas darken, creating natural variation.

Availability: Major hardware manufacturers offer extensive oil-rubbed bronze lines. Baldwin, Emtek, and Nostalgic Warehouse all produce Craftsman-appropriate designs in this finish.

Applications: Door hardware (knobs, levers, hinges, deadbolts), cabinet pulls, window locks, switch plates, outlet covers, and bath accessories all come in coordinating oil-rubbed bronze.

Hammered Copper: The Statement Choice

Hammered copper makes bolder statements while staying true to Arts and Crafts principles:

Visual warmth: Copper’s red-orange glow adds warmth no other metal matches. In rooms with darker woodwork, copper hardware provides welcome brightness without competing with the wood.

Textural interest: Hammer marks catch light differently across the surface, creating movement and visual depth. This handcrafted appearance epitomizes Craftsman ideals.

Natural aging: Copper oxidizes to brown and eventually verdigris over decades. Some homeowners polish to maintain brightness; others let patina develop naturally. Both approaches are period-appropriate.

Best applications: Kitchen pot racks, range hoods, cabinet pulls in kitchens, light fixtures, fireplace screens, and bathroom accessories. Copper works especially well in spaces with natural light that activates its color.

Specific Hardware Recommendations

Entry door sets: Mission-style backplates with square or rectangular shapes. Avoid ornate Victorian rosettes. Emtek’s Arts and Crafts collection and Nostalgic Warehouse’s Craftsman series offer authentic proportions.

Interior door knobs: Simple round or octagonal knobs in oil-rubbed bronze. Period homes often used glass knobs for interior doors—these remain appropriate but less common in authentic restorations.

Hinges: Square-corner hinges (not rounded) in matching finish. Ball-tip or steeple-tip finials are appropriate; avoid acorn tips, which read more Colonial.

Cabinet pulls: Simple bail pulls or bin pulls with clean lines. Mission-style pulls feature straight vertical bars. Avoid curved, ornate, or overly decorative designs.

Cabinet knobs: Square or round knobs with minimal decoration. Pyramid-shaped tops are period-appropriate. Size appropriately to cabinet scale—1″ to 1.25″ for drawers, larger for doors.

Switch Plates and Outlet Covers

Often overlooked, switch plates and outlet covers interrupt wall surfaces throughout the home. Craftsman-appropriate options exist:

Metal plates: Oil-rubbed bronze, antique copper, or antique brass plates coordinate with door and cabinet hardware. Expect to pay $8-20 per plate versus $1 for plastic.

Wood plates: Unfinished oak or mahogany plates can be stained to match trim. These provide warmth impossible with metal but require more careful installation.

Push-button switches: For maximum authenticity, companies like Classic Accents and Rejuvenation sell push-button switch plates resembling original electric fixtures. These require specialized switches but provide striking period accuracy.

Bathroom Hardware Considerations

Bathrooms present unique hardware challenges in Craftsman homes:

Moisture resistance: Copper and bronze handle bathroom humidity well, but finishes vary. Solid copper develops patina; bronze-finished steel may show wear at edges over time.

Towel bars and rings: Simple, straight designs with square or rectangular mounts. Avoid curved Victorian-style bars or ornate rosettes.

Robe hooks: Mission-style hooks with visible mounting hardware. Double hooks or hooks with wooden backplates add character.

Toilet paper holders: Recessed toilet paper holders appeared in original Craftsman bathrooms—these can be sourced or reproduced. Surface-mount holders should maintain clean lines.

Coordinating Finishes Throughout the Home

Craftsman homes benefit from hardware finish consistency:

Primary finish: Choose one main finish (typically oil-rubbed bronze) for door hardware, cabinet hardware, and bathroom accessories throughout the house.

Accent finish: A secondary finish (copper or antique brass) can appear in specific rooms like kitchens or for specific purposes like light fixtures.

Transition spaces: Hallways and stairways should maintain the primary finish to create visual continuity between rooms.

Exterior coordination: Entry hardware, porch lights, house numbers, and mailboxes should share the primary finish for unified curb appeal.

Quality and Price Considerations

Hardware quality varies dramatically:

Solid bronze/copper: Highest cost but most authentic appearance and durability. Manufacturers include Rocky Mountain Hardware, Sun Valley Bronze, and Arts & Crafts Hardware.

Bronze/copper plating: Mid-range options from Baldwin, Emtek, and Nostalgic Warehouse. Quality varies—examine samples before committing to whole-house quantities.

Painted finishes: Budget options approximate the look but may show wear at contact points over time. Acceptable for low-use applications; avoid for entry doors and frequently used cabinets.

Installation Notes

Proper installation protects your hardware investment:

Pre-drilling: Always pre-drill for screws in hardwood. Oak splits easily, and stripped holes weaken the installation.

Proper sizing: Backset dimensions must match your doors. Standard is 2-3/8″ or 2-3/4″; measure before ordering.

Cleaning: Avoid abrasive cleaners that remove finish. Soft cloths with mild soap preserve patina while removing grime.

Waxing: Periodic wax application (Renaissance Wax is industry standard) protects finish and controls patina development.

Hardware represents a relatively small investment compared to woodwork, built-ins, or tile—but it’s the detail visitors touch and notice. Authentic Craftsman hardware rewards the attention with lasting quality and unmistakable period character.