Nuts and Bolts: Growth Forecasts and Consumer Trends in the Hardware Category

As the hardware industry anticipates steady growth through 2030, independent retailers have the opportunity to focus on curating a hardware category aligned with current trends and preferences among professionals and DIYers. According to the Home Improvement Research Institute’s March 2026 Size of Market Forecast, the consumer market for hardware in the U.S. is expected to grow by 3.2% in 2026 and about 2.8% from 2026 to 2030, reaching its peak at $22.943 billion, and the professional market for hardware is anticipated to grow 0.6% in 2026 and 2.6% from 2026 to 2030, with the projected value at $2.881 billion. As a product category, hardware includes cabinet hardware; screws, nuts and bolts; door hardware and other hardware products.

See key data points from HIRI and where to focus your inventory in this category.

Common Hardware Purchases Among Homeowners

1. The most purchased type of interior hardware among homeowners is for doors. Among those who purchased hardware, here are the most popular choices for doors:

• Doorknobs (67%)
• Door handles (55%)
• Door locks (48%)
• Hinges (42%)

1. Most purchased types of cabinet hardware:

• – Cabinet knobs (75%)
• – Drawer pulls (66%)
• – Cabinet hinges (36%)

1. Most purchased exterior door hardware:

• – Door handles (50%)
• – Doorknobs (45%)
• – Door locks (40%)
• – Hinges (27%)
• – House numbers (22%)
• – Door stops (16%)
• – Handle sets (14%)
• – Kick plates (14%)
• – Door knockers (6%)
• – Mail slot (4%)

Common Hardware Purchases Among Contractors

1. The top products purchased in the exterior hardware category include:

• – Doorknobs (38%)
• – Door locks (36%)
• – Door handles (36%)
• – Hinges (33%)
• – Door stops (23%)

1. The top products purchased in the interior hardware category include:

• – Doorknobs (32%)
• – Door locks (29%)
• – Door handles (28%)
• – Cabinet knobs (27%)
• – Drawer pulls (24%)
• – Hinges (23%)
• – Cabinet hinges (21%)