Handle Finishes Compared: Matt Black, Brass, Nickel and Chrome
Short answer: matt black is the safest contemporary choice and the one available across every style we stock. Brushed brass is warm, works well with wood and darker cabinetry and reads as more decorative. Brushed nickel is the quiet neutral. Matt chrome is cooler and more reflective. Graphite grey sits between black and nickel. The practical constraint is availability: check your chosen finish exists in every style you need before you commit to it.
Which finish suits what
|
Finish |
Character |
Works well with |
|
Matt Black |
Contemporary, understated, non-reflective |
Almost anything. Pale cabinetry, wood, dark schemes |
|
Brushed Brass Effect |
Warm, decorative, softer than polished brass |
Wood, deep greens and blues, traditional and transitional schemes |
|
Satin Brass |
Warm with a smoother sheen |
Design-led interiors, works with the knurled texture |
|
Antique Brass |
Aged, warmer and darker than satin |
Period rooms, farmhouse and heritage schemes |
|
Brushed Nickel |
Neutral, quiet, low contrast |
Where the handle should not draw attention |
|
Matt Nickel |
Neutral with less sheen again |
Contract and office environments |
|
Matt Chrome |
Cooler and more reflective |
Modern kitchens, bathrooms |
|
Graphite Grey |
Between black and nickel |
Where matt black feels too heavy |
Which of our ranges carries which finish
This is the table to check before you settle on a finish, because not every finish runs across every style.
|
Eurofit cabinet handle finishes by range |
|
|
Range |
Finishes |
|
Steel bow handles |
Matt Nickel, Matt Chrome, Graphite Grey, Brushed Nickel, Matt Black |
|
Steel T-bar handles |
Matt Nickel, Brushed Nickel, Matt Black |
|
Knurled T-bar handles |
Matt Black, Satin Brass, Antique Brass |
|
Slim pull handles |
Matt Black, Brushed Nickel, Brushed Brass Effect |
|
Cup handles |
Brushed Brass Effect, Brushed Nickel, Matt Black |
Read across the rows and one thing stands out. Matt black is the only finish in every row. If you want a single finish that works across bow, T-bar, knurled T-bar, slim pull and cup handles, matt black is the one that gives you the free choice of style.
Brushed nickel comes close, appearing in four of the five. Brass finishes are more specialised: brushed brass effect on the slim pulls and cup handles, satin and antique brass on the knurled T-bars.
Matching handles to other hardware
Handles rarely sit alone in a room. A kitchen has tap finishes, appliance trims and light fittings. A door has hinges and a latch.
Cup handles are the case where this matters most, because they are the most decorative shape we do. The sensible approach is to pick a finish that already appears somewhere in the room rather than introducing a new one.
On interior doors we also stock a three leaf hinge, 89 x 33mm in 1.2mm steel, in Black, Antique Brass, Electro Brass and Nickel Plated, so a door can be hung and handled in one colour.
A note on brass
Our warm finishes are described as brass effect and satin or antique brass rather than solid brass. That is worth knowing if you are matching to a genuine unlacquered brass fitting that will patinate over time. A brass effect finish holds its appearance rather than ageing, which is usually what people want in a kitchen.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between matt nickel and brushed nickel?
Both are neutral. Brushed nickel carries a visible directional grain with a little more sheen. Matt nickel is flatter. We stock both on the steel bow and steel T-bar ranges.
Can I get every handle style in the same finish?
In matt black, yes. Other finishes run across some ranges but not all, so check the table above before committing.
Are your brass handles solid brass?
They are brass effect and satin or antique brass finishes rather than solid brass. They hold their appearance instead of patinating.
Browse the range
All cabinet handles, door handles, door accessories, butt hinges and door knobs.
The finishes listed by range are Eurofit specifications from our 2026 catalogue. Finish names are not standardised across the industry, so another manufacturer’s matt black or brushed brass may not match ours exactly.
