Learn » Design Ideas & Inspirations » How to Choose the Right Doorknob/Door Handle for Your Design?

When you’re scrolling through IKEA stores or the Amazon store, you come across stunning doorknobs from the likes of Baldwin Hardware. You’re fascinated and want to add so many of them to your cart, to install at home. But, choosing the right doorknob is as important as choosing any other essential decor piece of your dream home. They’re the finishing touches of the door, and they make a plain door an interesting one.

Not all doorknobs can fit in with your style, no matter how you introduce them in your home decor. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to take you through the popular styles, types, and materials of doorknobs available and what categories would work for your home. Are you ready to enter the world of doorknobs with us? Let’s go!

Doorknobs vs Door Levers: How to Decide?

Doorknobs	Door Levers
Are away from the doorframe	Much closer to the doorframe
Might scratch your knuckles on the edge of the door from pulling	Comfortable to pull
Comprises 4inch architectural heavy-duty tubular latches with two springs on the frame that operate on either side	Comprises two handle sets held by two springs in the lever with a tubular latch, so the door opening mechanism is soft and hassle-free
Comes in a variety of designs	Comes in simple designs
Less accessible for people with special needs	More accessible to people with arthritis, the elderly, and children
Beautiful to look at and can be customized to suit any design style	Simple design and doesn’t suit many design styles

Things to Consider When Picking Out Your Doorknobs

Function

Figure out which pieces allow you to childproof the door, without much effort. If you’re doing a remodel, check out how the door is drilled. If it has a hole that’s too close to the frame, people might hurt their knuckles every time they turn the doorknob. In that case, you need to consider getting another door or making changes to the existing one.

Design Elements

Are you looking for a polished chrome doorknob that looks classic, gold which is bold and modern, or a matte black look that’s popular now? Decide if you want to go in for mixed metals or if you want a cohesive look. Consider your hinge color as well, and paint them in colors complementary to the doorknob. Like paint, you can choose what sheen you want on the doorknobs from glossy or chrome, satin nickel or matte. If you’re opting for a gold-colored doorknob, it only makes sense to choose a satin brass or chrome finish.

Hardware

The backplate, which is the plate that goes behind the knob can be round, square, or oblong. You want to decide which shape agrees with your door style, your style, and the doorknob you have in mind. Most doorknobs have a small backplate, so you tend to overlook its importance, but it is a decision you should make upfront. Up next you divert your attention to the door handles.

Door Style

If you have a farmhouse door or a traditional door, get a modern doorknob to make a contrast and make things fresh and interesting. If the door has a lot of lines, you can mimic them by choosing a doorknob with subtle lines in it, so they look cohesive. With your doorknob, you can either stand out or mirror the door’s style is up to you. But go with the option that looks put together. Remember to consider the doorknob from all angles before you narrow your choices, as they can significantly impact your interior style.

Security

Your doorknobs are your first level of defense from intruders and based on where they’re used, they need to be rock solid and impenetrable. Although the materials you use and finishes might vary from doorknobs used for exterior doors and interior doors, you need to consider security depending on where you’re going to use them.

Ease of Installation

If you’re going to DIY, you need a rather simple doorknob to install. If you’re going to get a professional handyman, you can go in for a rather sophisticated doorknob as well.

Types of Doorknob/ Door Handle Designs

They’ve been used throughout history, and are mostly ball-shaped or spherical devices. They are made of stainless steel, brass, bronze, or other materials depending on the finish you’re going for.

Beehive Doorknob

These doorknobs are in the shape of a beehive with multiple lines running parallelly on the spherical fixture. At the outward end, the doorknob may or may not have a keyhole. It can be made out of wood, nickel, aged brass, black metal, or any other metal that agrees with your style.

Deadbolt Doorknob

The locking mechanism in this doorknob has a bolt tongue in it and has only a keyhole with no room to turn the doorknob any other way. On the inside, there’s a simple thumb-turn beyond the backset that allows you to lock and unlock the door. A fun fact about why it’s called deadbolt is when you lock the door, it doesn’t retract, which is why most people install a knob above the deadbolt knob simply to facilitate ease of opening the door.

Electronic Panel Doorknob

Just above the doorknob, there’s an electronic keypad, or touchpad that requires you to enter your fingerprint/password and a push-button for the knob to be released from the inside and give you access. This has been used in modern design and in smart homes in recent years and is great for exterior doors and for super-secure areas in the house.

Keyed Entry Doorknob

You have two choices for how you can insert keys and unlock this doorknob. Single-cylinder doorknobs can only be keyed from the outside and have a thumb turning on the inside. A double-cylinder doorknob can be keyed from both sides and has greater accessibility.

Privacy Doorknob

Ideal to use in bedrooms and restroom doors that need privacy and need to be locked securely from time to time. You need to choose sturdy materials for this type of doorknob and also make sure it complements the overall layout.

Passage Doorknob

This is for doors that lead to other rooms that don’t need any level of security or protection. These doorknobs are for decorative purposes only. They can be used for passage doors, wardrobes, storerooms, walk-in pantries, etc.

Interior Mortise Doorknob

These doorknobs look simple and easily opened, but they are often matched with skeleton keys and connected to a deadbolt doorknob to balance aesthetics and security.

Popular Doorknob Materials

Stainless Steel Doorknob

Stainless steel doorknobs are highly durable, corrosion-resistant, and do not give in to tarnishing easily. They withstand frequent use, and are easy to clean. Highly recommended for high-traffic areas in the house that get a lot of movement throughout the day. Have a home with a contemporary design style? A stainless steel doorknob is your go-to.

Brass Doorknob

This is a material that gives off royal vibes and naturally, it’s used to depict timeless elegance. Brass doorknobs come with various finishes, from polished to aged catering to different style preferences. Brass has anti-microbial properties, which is a huge plus if you’re worried about infection spreading through touch points in the flu season. They need extensive maintenance to keep them from tarnishing. If you don’t have the bandwidth, time, or patience for it, this is a no-go.

Ceramic/Porcelain Doorknob

Unique, and is radically different from other doorknob materials. It suits rustic and traditional styles alike and comes in an array of colors and patterns. You can customize it to any pattern, color, or finish you like. Unlike metal, they’re not-so-durable but can be a charming addition to your home.

Glass Doorknob/Crystal Doorknob

Super-elegant doorknob material. It reflects light, is striking in nature, and has an unparalleled royal appearance. However, it’s fragile and needs high maintenance. Not suitable for high-traffic areas, but can be a decorative piece for doors that are rarely opened or opened with care, i.e., behind a wardrobe, coat closet door, etc.

Wood Doorknob

With a natural material like wood comes the warmth of Nature. You can get wooden doorknobs in any shape or stain you want and they’d fit in perfectly with traditional and country-style homes. They need proper sealing and maintenance for them to remain protected from moisture and look as good as new.

Aluminum Doorknob

Aloys of aluminum are also considered good materials to make doorknobs from. They’re lightweight, modern, and affordable to purchase, compared to a few other doorknob materials. They’d complement modern home decor well, and come in a range of finishes, right from brushed and polished. Innately corrosion-resistant, needs low maintenance, and delivers quite well when used in kitchens.

How to Mix and Match Doorknob Sets?

Experts agree on the #1 thing about doorknobs – they have to be consistent with the interior design style of the entire house and the room they’re used in. You can have the same color, texture, style, or materials, but something about them has to be uniform throughout.

Ensure at least a little bit of consistency when it comes to mixing and matching doorknobs. For example, you can either pair the knob used in bathroom doors to the sconce or faucet installed in the bathroom.

Allison McAfee, a project manager at Coats Homes says, “Don’t change both the shape and the finish of a doorknob in a particular space. Door hardware needs to be cohesive throughout the house.”

Which Doorknob Should You Choose for Your Interior Design Style?

Design Style	Desirable Doorknob Materials
Modern and contemporary	Sleek and minimalistic doorknob like stainless steel, or chrome with a polished/brushed finish
Traditional and classic	Ornate and detailed patterned doorknob made of solid brass, Venetian bronze, or oil-rubbed bronze with curves, floral patterns, and classic motifs
Rustic and farmhouse	Wrought iron and antique brass or wood doorknob
Industrial	Stainless steel, cast iron, and brushed/polished nickel doorknobs
Scandinavian	Simple round doorknobs with matte finish and unobtrusive designs
Eclectic	Metal or ceramic doorknobs
Coastal	Glass, crystal doorknobs ceramic, pewter, or brushed nickel doorknob

Choose the Right Doorknob with Foyr Neo

How do you know which of the above decor items will work in your space and which won’t? You figure it out by visualizing your doors with your favorite doorknobs and ruling out the ones that don’t fit in.

How can you visualize every door without leaving anything to chance? With an advanced tool like Foyr Neo.

After you have the floor plan in hand for the first time and get a sneak peek of how and where your doors will be, here’s what you can do:

Step 1: Sign up for Foyr Neo’s 14-day trial.

Step 2: Go on to the Neo mood board and curate everything you’d love to have on your doors.

Step 3: Create the floor plan of your home on Neo.

Step 4: Choose from 60,000+ 3D decor materials and simply drag and drop them into the interior design.

Step 5: Get any material in any color scheme, texture, shape, or pattern and truly customize your doorknobs.

Step 6: View the makeover in 2D and 3D, from all possible angles and lighting conditions.

Step 7: Render your design in a few minutes and witness your doorknobs in all their glory.

That’s all it takes! With 24/7 support and live chat, we’re here to help you if you ever get stuck anywhere. You can find tutorials on how to design on Neo all over the internet, so you’re never truly alone when you design using Neo.

What are you waiting for? Start curating your doorknobs, sign up for Foyr Neo’s 14-day free trial today.

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How to Choose the Right Doorknob/Door Handle for Your Design?