You’ve picked out paint colors. You’ve picked out flooring. You’ve picked out lighting.
Remodeling a house feels like not much more than a long string of choices. But if you’ve made it this far, the finish line is in sight.
Don’t let exhaustion with the process cause you to reach for just any old thing when it comes to your door hardware. It’s a small thing, but the right ones can bring the entire decor together.
When you make your choice, there are several things to keep in mind as you look at your options. Color is just one consideration. Here’s what you need to know about door hardware and how to get the right one to complete your interior design.
What You Need to Know Before You Start
Before you even start looking at door handles, there are several things you need to know. These will help filter your search to keep you from spending hours paging through catalogs or scrolling through websites trying to pin down what you want.
- What is the door style
- What is the budget
- What is the right size or proportion needed
- How is it installed
- Any special requirements
Door Style or Type
The first thing to consider when you’re choosing door knobs is any particular requirements of your door type or style. For example, glass doors hardware needs to be specially chosen to work with that particular material, while a door you need to lock for privacy will need a particular type of lockset.
Most house doors are of the swing type, pushing in or pulling out from a set of hinges. Knobs or handles work for these equally well.
But what about other types? A sliding door like on a closet requires a handle that can take the force of a push sideways rather than a forward and back motion. The same goes for pocket doors, so you tend to see horizontal handles on these types.
Folding doors have to be pulled forward and pushed to the side at the same time, so they tend to use door pulls or knobs rather than handles.
Decor Style
Doors might have limited function, but they come in a wide range of styles. You might have chosen barn doors for some rooms or a dutch door going out of the kitchen. Most interior doors are simple paneled doors that might not have any particular style until you choose the hardware to add character.
So the look of your hardware usually comes down to the particular decor style you’ve chosen for your home. A rustic country look might go well with hammered black iron hardware, while a modern style calls for sleek chrome.
If you mix styles throughout your house, keep your hardware fairly neutral. Consistency throughout the house matters more than having the handle match the room’s decor.
Handle Style
Do you have children? Are there aging hands in the house? The style of the lockset should be accounted for beyond just looks.
Traditional doorknobs tend to be round or square and require you to grasp firmly and turn. This is problematic for anyone with hand issues, so you might find a lever-type handle or handle set to be a better idea. Being able to push down without having to grasp makes this type of handle easier to manage.
That said, not having to grasp the handle tightly to work it also makes the handle easier for children and even pets to open a door! You might find a traditional knob a better choice for any exterior doors to keep them from slipping out of the house.
Lockset Types
Even if there’s no lock involved, the entire kit of handle and latching mechanism is called a lockset. While you can get any number of finishes and styles, there are really just four types used in a house.
A passage lockset is intended for passage between areas and does not lock. The majority of your purchase will involve these.
A privacy lockset does have a lock for rooms that need privacy, like bathrooms, bedrooms, or office spaces. The lock activates with a push or turn button on the inside of the door. Ensure you get one with an emergency unlock feature to allow for easy access when necessary.
Keyed entry locksets can be locked from both sides and tend to be what you see on exterior doors. One side is locked and unlocked with a key, while the other could use a turn button or key.
Dummy locksets do not turn or activate any latching mechanism. They function a bit like cabinet pulls, and you might find them on linen closets. They allow you to keep a consistent look for doors that don’t need a secure closure.
Buying the Door Hardware
Once you have style and type down, you need to actually pick your hardware. With some of these, being able to hold the product might be necessary to determine if you’re getting a quality product.
Especially if you’re planning to order online, get one piece before you start buying for the whole house. This will give you a chance to check the weight, material, and finish to ensure it meets your standards.
Measure multiple times! Not only do you want to ensure the size of the handle will fit the door, but you also want to make sure it suits the overall scale and proportion as well.
Take time to shop around as you might be able to find the same hardware sold at different price points. You might even be able to buy directly from the manufacturer at a discount.
Open That Door
Getting a good style match is important when choosing your door hardware. But keep in mind the quality of what you’re buying along with any particular requirements like safety or special doors.
Need more remodeling help? Check out our other articles for information on remodeling your home.
