8 Types of Door Knobs and How to Style Them In Your Home
September 10, 2024
September 10, 2024
Internal doors and exterior doors often require different types of door knobs. To know the differences and how to decide on the best ones for your home, let's explore the common types of door knobs:
Privacy knobs are precisely what they say they are; they're a door knob that helps you maintain your privacy. They have a locking mechanism inside the door. Often, the lock is secure via a button that's pushed, a key or a lever. In the case of an emergency, these door knobs can be unlocked from the outside with a thin key or stick.
Best used for: Bedroom doors, bathroom doors and home offices.
Passage door knobs are the opposite of privacy door knobs; they don't have an internal locking mechanism. Often these knobs open and close on their own with just a simple turn of the knob or pull on the lever.
Best used for: Areas that don't require a lock, such as a hallway, closet, or even a children's bedroom.
Keyed entry door knobs provide the option of privacy or not, depending on your preference. These door knobs have a handle which contains a lock which a key is needed to help unlock the door.
Best used for: Exterior doors such as garage, basement door, front door, and back door.
Dummy door knobs are also known as "fake knobs". They're a door knob, but they don't really work. Often, they come in two styles, either single or double. In basic sense, a single is only a knob mounted on one side of the door, whereas a dummy contains a matching set attached on either side.
To help decide if they're useful, you can think of them being installed on doors that require someone not to enter, only to access something. If you are looking for a door knob for your closet or pantry, as a second alternative, you may need to consider adding a magnetic catch or ball catch at the top to help keep the door secure.
Best used for: Wardrobe doors, pantry doors and cupboard doors.
This is a type of hardware that has a handle and locking mechanism, often a keyed lock. Sometimes, for extra security, a deadbolt is added to help protect your home.
Best used for: Your home's front, back, and side doors, helping secure entrances and enhancing the visual aesthetic.
Technically rolling door hardware does not fit within the common types of door knobs category, but we thought we should highlight it anyways. Rolling door hardware is a piece of hardware that helps replace interior doors. They are designed and manufactured specifically to be placed on the top frame of a door, providing a sliding or folding movement.
Best used for: Compact spaces such as closets, barn doors, sliding doors and commercial spaces.
Door levers are a way to add flair to your doors; they're a handle instead of a round knob. There's a range of different door levers you can choose from: straight, round, wave, scroll and a lot more. They're typically paired with a lock and latch mechanism.
Best used for: Bedrooms, bathrooms, closets and office spaces.
This type of door knob is modern and integrates technology to gain access to a home or room. The technology used in smart door knobs can vary depending on the style of the knob. A lot are keyless that involve fingerprint recognition, keyfobs, facial recognition, personalised codes generated from a mobile application and more.
Smart door knobs add an extra layer of security and often have a deadbolt. Due to the technology involved, electronic door knobs often require professional installation.
Best used for: Front doors, back doors, side doors, garage entry doors, commercial properties such as hotel rooms, short-term rentals and more.
Just like door knobs, fixtures enhance functionality and add to the ambiance of your home. To maintain a consistent vibe, think about the finish of the doorknob, style, color, theme, and, whenever possible, the proportions.
Depending on the room you want to install your door knob in, consider the finishes of your lighting fixtures.
Note: Ideally, try to complement the finish of the fixture with a similar door knob finish. This helps tie in the elements, creating a uniform and well-balanced look.
For instance, a living room pendant light like Jewels & Pearls has a brushed gold finish which could work well with a brushed gold door knob creating a cohesive aesthetic.
Nowadays, one of the most popular trends in kitchen design is installing contemporary lighting fixtures. Some of the best kitchen fixtures are minimalist and sleek, focusing on the kitchen's functionality.
For example: Sylas is a modern pendant perfect for being hung above a dining table or kitchen island.
To complement the black ash finish of Sylas, a modern door handle with a minimalist design and a matte black finish would be a great choice.
Most of the time, bathroom fixtures are either wall-mounted or installed as downlights for functional and safety reasons. If you have wall-mounted lights in your bathroom like Emma Sconce, which has a brushed gold finish, then opt for privacy door knobs with brushed gold, or ones that have warm metals such as bronze or brass.
Take into account the theme and style of your lighting fixtures before choosing your door knobs. If you have outdoor lights like Haylen that are modern and have a black metal finish, you might want to opt for a smart door knob that helps you look stylish and up to date.
Whereas if your hallway or lounge has a rustic or retro theme, brass dummy door knobs work well and add warmth to your aesthetic. Moreover, living rooms or dining areas with Mid-Century fixtures may be complemented by functional door levers with a brushed gold or black finish, balancing the ambiance.
You don't always have to opt for a cohesive look when looking to align your door knobs with fixtures; creating a contrast also adds visual depth.
For instance, if you have a modern chandelier in your living room like Charlotte that has a brushed gold finish, than a matte black door knob might provide a bold contrast.
Add visual interest to your bathroom doors by contrasting door knobs to your fixtures. If your bathroom fixtures have a chrome or brushed gold finish, often matte black or nickel-coated door knobs can provide a contrasting look.
If your kitchen has modern pendant fixtures like Diana with a crystal finish, you might want to opt for graphite nickel finished door knobs. These gunmetal black door knobs provide a contemporary and sophisticated contrast to your doors.
In addition to fixtures and other furnishings in your home, there are some factors that you should take into consideration, such as:
Before buying a doorknob, you’ll want to accurately measure the thickness of your door. Measurements are crucial for the doorknob to fit right on the edge and function properly. Most of the time, doorknobs are designed to fit doors with a standard thickness, with interiors 1.3 inches thick and exertion 1.9inches thick. If the door is not of an average thickness length, then you will most likely need to buy special hardware.
To ensure you get the right-sized door knob, you should ensure the diameter of the borehole (the area where the door knob is going to be mounted) is the right size. On average, a standard-sized borehole is 2 1/8 inches in diameter.
Another factor to consider is the backset, the space between your door’s edge and the borehole. The recommended space should be between 2 3/8 and 2 ¾ inches on average.
When choosing a doorknob, think about the bolt style, whether it is rounded/corner or square. Square bolts offer a more traditional aesthetic, blending seamlessly with various interior styles, although they require a precise cut for installation. Meanwhile, rounded designs are easier to install but more rigid when blending in with other types of designs.
Overall, door knobs and handles are essential interior furnishings that cannot be overlooked. Just like lighting fixtures, there’s a range of styles to choose from, from privacy door knobs, passage, keyed entry, dummy, smart door knobs, and more!
To truly select the best door knob, you have to think about the existing ambiance of your room, style of lighting fixtures, door thickness, borehole, bolt style, backset, and a lot more. Once you’ve decided on your doorknob, think about the installation.
Some door knobs can be DIY projects where you need a screw and wrench, whereas others might be a bit more complex and might require a professional.
On the contrary, if you’re furnishing your home for the first time. Why don’t you browse our fixtures first and then select doorknobs after?
There are several types of door handles commonly used in homes: door knobs, lever handles, and pull handles. Door knobs are traditional and found on most interior doors. Lever handles offer a modern, ergonomic grip and are often used for accessibility. Pull handles are typically used on drawers, sliding doors, and furniture. These types of door handles come with different latch mechanisms and locking mechanisms to suit the function of each door.
Start with function. For interior doors like bedrooms or bathrooms, choose privacy knobs or door levers with a secure locking mechanism. For closet doors or hallways, passage door handles without locks work best. For exterior doors, consider a lock set with a keyed lock or deadbolt for added security. Look at door thickness, latch type, and style preferences such as matte black or brass finishes.
Both door knobs and levers operate your door, but they differ in design and usability. Door knobs require a twisting motion, while levers allow you to push or pull with ease. Lever handles are ideal for accessibility and are easier to operate, especially for children or older adults. Both can be equipped with a latch and lock, depending on the door’s function.
Closet doors typically don’t need a locking mechanism. Dummy knobs, passage door handles, or pull handles are the most common types used. They are installed on one side or both depending on the access needed. For sliding closet doors or barn doors, sliding hardware or track-mounted handles offer the best solution.
For a door knob or lever to function properly, it needs to align with the door thickness, edge style, and latch mechanism. If the hardware isn’t compatible with the borehole size or the backset, the door may not open or close smoothly. Always match the lock set and key mechanism to the function and type of door.
Smart knobs are mostly designed for standard door thickness and function as keyed entry systems without a physical key. They often require professional installation, especially when paired with a deadbolt. Some models include emergency unlock options and integrate with security systems. These are ideal for front doors, back doors, and even side doors where security is a priority.
Yes. You’ll find keyed locks in a variety of functions and styles. Some are built into the knob or lever, while others work as part of a larger lock set that includes a deadbolt. Keyed locks are often used for front doors and exterior entryways, ensuring a secure barrier between your house and the outdoors. Universal levers with keyed entry options are also available for flexibility.