Best Statement Door Knobs for Your Home

A lot of homeowners may not pay much attention to door knob designs and view them from a purely functional perspective. Seasoned interior designers, on the other hand, reveal that these little details so frequently overlooked are essential architectural elements that add character to your home.

Swapping old front door handles or mismatched knobs and hardware is perhaps one of the most straightforward and most inexpensive strategies you can take if you want to shake things up aesthetically.

In this ultimate door hardware guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about this topic— from the difference between knobs and lever-types plus the most common door knob designs and finishes.

Let’s dig right in!

What Type: Knob, Lever, or Handleset

Before you go on a door hardware shopping spree, it’s important to determine first what type you are looking for. Here’s a quick overview of available options.

Door Knob

Door knobs are ideal for both interior and exterior doors. There’s an extensive selection of door knob designs that will suit your taste and style, from simple to sophisticated. You can door knobs in different rooms at home, including bedrooms, bathrooms, closets, and storage spaces. Now door knob designs can be custom-made if you want non-turning knobs for a decorative door pull, keyed entry, or keypad-secured knobs.

Lever

Lever-type handles offer better grip and are easier to operate compared to conventional door knobs that require a tight grasp and twist motion to open. They make convenient door furniture for homes with elderly or disabled loved ones who may have poor hand dexterity due to their condition. As with the door knob, lever-type door furniture also offer a wide variety of functionalities.

Handleset

Handleset is made especially for entrance doors. Front door handle sets usher guests into your home in style. Handlesets can be purchased with a deadbolt and can also be customized to accommodate electronic lock systems for more stringent home security.

Most Popular Door Knob Designs

Now let’s get into the details of each door knob design and what sets them apart from each other.

Mortice Door Knobs

These are used ubiquitously in a lot of residential and commercial properties and both interior and exterior doors. The mortice door knobs are the classic circular knobs. The beehive-style mortice door knob design represents a more antiquated look while the newer versions with a glass or smooth finish possess a modern appeal.

Rim Door Knobs

Rim knobs are designed to fit rim locks or latch, which is a locking mechanism that sits on the surface of the door, as opposed to the mortice lock that has it installed inside the door. Rim knobs can give rooms a lovely old school aesthetic.

Lever on a Backplate Door Handle

This lever-type door furniture borrows the signature rectangular backplate typically seen in handlesets. They are worthy of a grand entrance when used as front door handles.

Lever on a Rose Door Handle

This door hardware design is perhaps the most common for lever-types. It features the horizontal lever mounted on a round backplate referred to as the rose.

Finishes for Front Door Handles

The finish is what gives your knobs and front door handles the colour and sheen. Learn more about them and find out which one can cohesively fit your home’s overall motif.

Brass Door Handles

Another design chameleon would be well-polished brass knobs. They exude a subtle touch of elegance that tastefully fits both traditional and contemporary home designs. There are a plethora of brass finish variations that you can explore and experiment with whatever theme you have in mind.

For instance, shiny brass door knob designs with a clean silhouette would work great with minimalist fibreglass doors. On the other hand, if you have a period home, a front door handle made of vintage brass would add to its rustic charm. It would be fantastic if you can find pieces from a similar era as your property.

Matte Black

Matte black is a versatile hardware finish that works great for both minimalist and maximalist door knob design. Update your old front door handles with matte-black finish knobs for a sleek visual improvement. The bold dark colour beautifully complements almost every look imaginable. It can give light-painted walls and doors a striking contrast and lend a modern vibe to your home.

However, the only caveat is that if you are considering this option for interior doors and have dark walls, cabinets, or doors already, using matte-black hardware may be counterproductive. Although it can give a seamless, almost invisible effect, it may also make a space gloomy and constricting.

If you’re looking for more inspiration for matte black door knob designs, check out this gorgeous room renovation.

Chrome

Recently, there’s been a resurgence of interest in chrome door knobs. The traditional choice for both interior and exterior doors in the past decades, chrome door knob designs are making a major come back. Bringing the old-world charm they are most known for, they now wow with a classy aesthetic courtesy of a whole array of cute shape combinations. For example, round or octagonal knobs set against a square or rectangular backplate. When done right, a chrome front door handle will never go out of style.

Decorative

Crystal, glass, or ceramic door knob designs come packed with an element of nostalgia. They are certified conversation starters that are ideal for both front and interior doors. Nevertheless, incorporating crystal into your front door handles is going to give it that almost iridescent glow whenever sunshine hits it. They are now produced in a different style, allowing you to use them to effortlessly complement the beauty of your antique home or use them as a statement piece in a contemporary apartment.

Let beauty begin at your doorstep with Burano Doors! Pair stunning door knob designs with our Classic Door Collection. For more information, do not hesitate to reach out to us. Our friendly representatives will be more than happy to help you. Contact Burano Doors now!