Hardware is often considered more a necessity than a vital design detail. But knobs, pulls and fixtures help put the finishing touches on a space, completing the overall vision. In other words, a few small moves can make a big impact. But that doesn’t mean functionality goes out the window. Below, we’ve rounded up five hardware collections that make spaces work efficiently — and do it in style.
1
Hemispheres by Bankston Architectural
Last year, Australian hardware company Bankston Architectural made its US debut with the launch of a collaboration with Civilian — the New York design studio behind interiors like Newlab and Sandbox Films Studio. Dubbed Hemispheres, the 12-piece collection (which includes everything from knobs and pulls to levers and doorstops) plays with domed shapes in a rich palette of walnut, Potoro Gold marble, polished chrome, smooth nickel and bone — materials selected to enhance the ergonomic characteristics of the rounded forms. Interchangeable components allow for myriad configurations. The combination of contrasting materials, however, made for some unique technical challenges: “To get stone and wood to match to a more precise material such as metal, those kinds of tolerances are very difficult to achieve,” explains Ksenia Kagner, one-half of the design team at Civilian.
The collection’s name, Hemispheres, not only references the geometry of the pieces, but also its geographically disparate collaborators. “It suggests the idea of complementarity between two sides,” explains Nicko Elliott, who co-founded Civilian with Kagner. “It was a metaphor for our working relationship with the technical team on the opposite side of the clock from us here in New York.” This metaphor is reflected in the collection’s careful juxtaposition of materials, which work together to engage the senses. “Architectural hardware is very much a kind of grammar of how you move through and experience space,” says Elliot. “The feeling that is most associated with it is something that is very engineered, logical and rational. And we were very much interested in playing up the sensual and pleasurable aspects through the exploration of contrast — wood, stone and chrome.” The resulting collection feels decidedly modern yet nostalgic, recalling both the classic lines of Art Deco and the sleek modernity of industrial aesthetics.
2
Mid-Century Modern Decorative Cabinet Hardware by Berenson
There’s nothing like the timeless appeal of mid-century modern design. This minimalist hardware collection from Berenson embodies the modernist ethos of form follows function. With ample hand clearance and comfortable rounded grips, the designs are practical and comfortable to use without sacrificing on style. The three custom-designed lines — Domestic Bliss, Metro and Aspire — bring their own unique character to a space, yet are versatile enough to be mixed and matched.
The soft gentle curves of the Domestic Bliss collection bring an organic quality to modern, clean-lined spaces, while the Metro collection features a tapered square profile that introduces a graphic, geometric flair. Blending these two design languages, the Aspire collection rounds out the series with bold curves and defined lines. All three collections are offered in a range of sizes, including an 18-inch pull that is perfectly suited for panelled appliances, ensuring a cohesive aesthetic appeal. With a variety of finishes to choose from — including Modern Brushed Gold, Matte Black and Polished Copper — the collections can be customized to fit any space.
3
Select Handles by Emtek
Back in February at KBIS 2025, Emtek launched expanded offerings in its endlessly adaptable Select collection — which allows you to mix and match textured lever grips, stems and rosettes in a variety of shapes, sizes and finishes to create fixtures with an almost bespoke quality. The series is elevated with luxurious new finishes, including Rosso Levanto marble and Walnut, which can swing both modern and traditional. When paired with the brass stem and rosette, the wooden handles add warmth and texture. The Rosso Levanto marble, meanwhile, turns each fixture into a focal point, showcasing unique variations in veining and shading.
4
Two-Tone Edition by Hager
If Studio Besau-Marguerre has a calling card, it’s bringing a pop of colour to unexpected places. Case in point: The multidisciplinary design studio’s latest collection of light switches and outlet covers for Hager. Dubbed the Two-Tone Edition, the series puts a fresh spin on the R.classic line with an expressive palette that turns a mundane object into a work of art. “We don‘t just see switches as functional elements in architecture, they are important details that complete the overall concept,” explains designer Marcel Besau, who co-founded the studio with Eva Marguerre.
The simple geometry of the circular switches is highlighted by an outer ring that contrasts with the rocker to create an optical illusion: A lighter border lends the switch a slimmer appearance, while a darker one gives the piece prominence as a design focal point. The matte colourways can be combined in four harmonious configurations in two tonal families: Blue and Blue/Peach, Green and Green/Rose. While the monochromatic versions are more subdued, the two-tone colourways make a statement. Blue/Peach might be out there even for the most daring design lovers, but Green/Rose (which was the clear favourite when the product launched last year at Light and Building in Frankfurt) offers a subtler hit of colour. Other combinations can be requested on a project-specific basis. Conceived as a “piece of jewelry on the wall,” the switches go beyond functionality to become a dynamic addition to any interior.
5
Hinoki Collection by Viefe
Drawing from the Japanese concept of Ma, the new Hinoki collection from Barcelona-based hardware manufacturer Viefe encourages a moment of pause, bringing a sense of mindfulness to interiors. The series of pulls and handles, designed by Alexis Vivet, seeks to embody a sense of timelessness that references the longevity of the Hinoki cypress tree. The collection is characterized by organic curves and harmonious proportions, drawn from the wooden roofs of the temples in Nara, Japan, that lend a comfortable grip. The smooth texture of the finishes — which include raw oak, oak and walnut — make for a pleasing tactile experience.
For more hardware collections, visit our Spec Sheets section.
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