The decorative hardware industry comprises companies primarily engaged in manufacturing metal hardware, such as window hinges, door handles, keys, and locks etc. According to an analysis of US shipments, imports & exports, the Western decorative market's value was around $7 billion which includes U.S. builders' and cabinet hardware market. Most of the demands in the market is for lock products, other door & builders' hardware, cabinet & furniture hardware accessories. However, electronic locks, keys, window hardware, door hinges, exit devices & drawer slides are experiencing an extraordinary market.

According to a latest analysis of 2009 hardware industry development trends in China, with the global recession, the decorative hardware industry here is also facing many crisis as well as opportunities. By 2010, China's hardware manufacturing sector will be markedly improved with some of its enterprises touching the international advanced levels. By 2020, China's hardware manufacturing sector, as a whole, will reach the international advanced levels. This further strengthens the trend of decorative hardware industry gaining growth on a faster pace in Asian countries, China being the leader.

The new trends in decorative hardware favors ornamental and intelligent hardware. With changing aesthetics of people, the decorative hardware are becoming continuously pleasing in appearance. The decorative hardware market now favors hardware made of copper or stainless steel, chromium plated surfaces, Ti and nickel plating, zirconium plating and baking paint methods for decoration among others. The decorative hardware products in 2009 will give much importance to value-added products such as adjustable hardware fittings and intelligent designs such as furniture hardware controlled through sound.