Every semi-decent domestic knows the power of a coat of paint to transform a space or a piece of furniture. With a coat or two, that interior ingenue can make the abysmal become attractive, and make the ominous into optimistic.

But the real differentiator between genuine DIY-er/decorator and a half-hearted, fair-weather face-lifter is the step that comes after the painting; it’s the hardware, friends.

The initiated knows that the transformative powers of hardware rival that of paint. They understand that swapping out those tired, old knobs and those rusted handles for something fresher, more imaginative, and more in line with the desired aesthetic is an effort that’s always worth it.

Please keep it scrolling to activate the persuasion.

Image credit: Workstead

Image credit: Eric Piasecki for Martha Stewart

Image credit: Burnham Design

Image credit: via

Image credit: unknown

Image credit: Little Green Notebook

Image credit: Phoenix Restoration

Image credit: Ashley Poskin