Choosing the right doorknob for your home can seem like a simple decision, but there are actually many factors to consider. The style, material, finish, and functionality of doorknobs can impact the look, feel, and ease of use of your doors. Follow this comprehensive guide to learn everything you need to know about selecting the perfect doorknobs for every room in your house.

Research Different Styles of Doorknobs

Doorknobs come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. Here are some of the most popular options to consider:

Traditional Knobs

Round knobs – The most common style, round knobs are simple, classic, and affordable. Perfect for traditional décor.
Elongated knobs – Also called oval or egg-shaped. Provide a slightly more stylized look.
Crystal knobs – Elegant knobs made of cut glass with a brass base. Dress up a door.
Ceramic knobs – Offer artsy, eclectic detail with handpainted or mosaic tile designs.

Lever Handles

Curved levers – Graceful, swooping lever handles give a modern or contemporary look.
Straight levers – Angular, straight levers have a bold, clean-lined style. Often used in modern spaces.
Architectural levers – Ornate, curved levers with detailed edges for vintage or farmhouse appeal.

Specialty/Accent Knobs

Cutout/French door knobs – Feature an open grip with cutout middle for easy gripping.
Wrought iron knobs – Rustic, black metal knobs with swirling, forged details.
Glass/crystal knobs – Available as round knobs or with a variety of angled cuts. Add glam.

Smart Features

Touchscreen/keypad knobs – High-tech access with codes or fingerprint scanning.
Self-closing hinges – Swing door closed without turning the knob. Helpful for kids’ or pets’ safety.
Automatic locking – Latch bolt locks after shutting the door. Increase security.
Motion-sensing – Open automatically when someone approaches. Useful with hands full.

Childproof Knobs

Lever handles – Require less dexterity than knobs, easier for small hands.
Wrap-around knobs – Extra rounded shape hard for children to grip and turn.
Push-button locks – Knob won’t turn unless button at center is pressed.
High-mounted knobs – Located out of child’s reach, like at 4 feet high. Deter tampering.

Browsing the various styles available can spark ideas for the perfect doorknob for each door in your home. Consider your interior design style, too. For example, crystal knobs suit elegant spaces, while iron accents complement rustic styles.

Choose Durable Materials

Doorknobs see a lot of use, so durability is key. These materials stand up well to busy hands and resist rust, tarnish, or other wear:

Brass – Classic metal with a golden hue. Stays bright with regular polishing.
Bronze – Has an antique darkened finish. Coats to prevent tarnishing.
Stainless steel – Strong, sleek silver metal. Stainless resists corrosion.
Pewter – Soft silver color, often carved with decorative textures. Needs some polishing.
Nickel – Affordable silver-toned metal. Finishes like brushed nickel resist fingerprints.
Iron – Textured black metal with rustic detail. Usually sealed to prevent rusting.
Porcelain – Glossy white ceramic resists chipping, warping, and discoloring.
Solid wood – Can be carved, painted, or stained for custom looks. Requires refinishing.
Glass/crystal – Elegant transparent knobs that sparkle. Risk of breakage.

The most durable choices like metals and porcelain hold up for generations. Passage door knobs that see constant use, like a front entry or hallway, should be made of enduring brass, nickel, or stainless steel.

Select Easy-Grip Shapes and Textures

Consider who will be using each door most when selecting knob shapes and surface textures. The shape impacts how easy a doorknob is to grip and turn open. Key factors:

Size – Larger knobs and levers are easier for small or weak hands. At least 1.5 inches wide is ideal.
Circular shape – Round knobs turn smoothly but can be tricky to grasp. Add grip with texture.
Oval shape – The elongated form makes an oval knob easier to grip than a circle.
Lever handle – Does not require grasping or twisting. Just push down to open. Best ease of use.
Textured surface – Faceted cuts or cross-hatched engraving helps hands get a solid grip.
Smooth surface – Sleek without texture. Can be slippery if hands are wet, oily, or soapy.

For exterior doors and bathroom doors that may be opened with wet hands, textured levers are smart choices. For rooms used often by small children, oversized levers are ideal.

Match Finish to Your Decor

Doorknob finishes range from basic to ornate to suit your style:

Common Finishes

Polished brass – Classic shiny gold look. Shows fingerprints. Requires regular polishing.
Satin brass – Understated brass with low luster. More durable with a scratch-resistant brushed look.
Bright chrome – Affordable shiny silver finish. Can look cheap. Shows water spots.
Brushed chrome – Muted, soft sheen. Fingerprint resistant for a cleaner look.
Satin nickel – Warm silvery finish popular for modern spaces. Stands up to busy hands well.
Oil-rubbed bronze – Has aged, almost blackened look. Coats to prevent discoloring or wear.

Unique Finishes

Distressed – Intentionally weathered with rust, pits, and crackled antique look.
Hammered – Face is texture with tiny hammer indentations. Adds depth.
Satin brass – Understated brass with low luster. More durable with a scratch-resistant brushed look.
Two-tone – Mix a knob and plate in different finishes like brass and chrome.
Venetian bronze – Multi-layer plating creates an antiqued, variegated finish.
Polished nickel – Shiny, cool-toned silver finish needs occasional buffing. Fingerprint magnet.

Choosing a finish that already exists in lighting fixtures, cabinets, or other details in the room creates a cohesive feel. For a bargain price, oil-rubbed bronze or brushed nickel are attractive, low-maintenance finishes.

Determine Needed Functionality

Consider how each door operates and select knob types suited to the use:

Privacy Doors

Bedrooms, bathrooms, offices, etc. Need locking doorknobs for privacy and security. Options:

Single cylinder deadbolt – Keyhole on outside, turn-button on inside. Simple manual operation.
Double cylinder deadbolt – Keyholes and turn-buttons on both sides. Increased safety.
Bed and bath locks – Push-button locks for added child safety and easy adult access.
Electronic locks – Keypads, touchscreens, or fingerprint scanners. Set custom codes for access.

Passage Doors

No locking needed on closet doors or doors between non-private rooms. Options:

Dummy knobs – Have no latch mechanism. Freely spin with no locking.
Passage knobs – Latch to keep closed but open from either side at any time.

Entryways

Control access at exterior entries. Options:

Single cylinder deadbolt – Key outside, turn knob inside. Standard manual lock.
Double cylinder deadbolt – Keys to operate both sides for added security.
Smart deadbolts – Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. Lock/unlock from your phone.
Keyless entry – Enter codes on touchpad. No need to carry keys.

Other Specialty Knobs

Dummy knobs on closet doors or between rooms that don’t require locking. Freely spin with no latch.
Passage knobs have a simple latch to keep closed but open from either side any time.
Door levers make opening easy for little hands or when arms are full.
Push/pull handles provide grip space needed to slide doors along tracks to open.

Selecting knobs suited to each door’s operation provides both appropriate security and convenient access around the home.

Measure Your Doors

There are two standard door sizes:

Hollow core doors are 1 3/8 inches thick
Solid core doors are 1 3/4 inches thick

The knobs and latch hardware need to fit properly on the door’s thickness and be positioned at a comfortable height.

To measure:

Open door to 90 degrees.
On the side with hinges, measure from the midpoint of the hinge to the edge of the door frame.
On the side without hinges, measure from the edge of the door to the edge of the door frame.
Add the two measurements together and divide by two to get the door’s width.

Standard interior doors today are:

24 inches wide (smaller bathroom doors may be 22 inches)
80 inches high

Use this size along with your door thickness to buy the correctly sized doorknob and plate assembly. Many also come in adjustable sizes if your measurements are non-standard.

Where to position knobs vertically? Standard modern height is 36 inches up from the floor. Options:

Lower for kids – Place at 32 inches up for easier reach by small children.
Higher for privacy – Put at 42 – 48 inches up to keep out of a toddler’s grasp.

Measuring precisely before buying ensures your new doorknobs will install correctly and function as intended.

Select Style for Each Room

An interior design trick is to use door hardware to create an aesthetic theme or style in each room. Mixing and matching knobs room-by-room adds personality.

Traditional Style

Formal parlors – Antique brass with keyhole detail
Dining room – Porcelain knobs with painted floral design
Master suite – Faceted crystal knobs, polished chrome plates
Kitchen – Pewter knobs with engraving

Rustic Style

Entryway – Black wrought iron knobs with crosshatch grip pattern
Living room – Bronze knobs with oxidized hammered finish
Bedrooms – Ceramic knobs with earthy glazed colors
Bathrooms – Distressed white porcelain knobs

Modern Style

Entryway – Rectangular pulls in brushed stainless steel
Kitchen – Frosted glass knobs with sleek nickel levers
Bedrooms – Acrylic knobs and plates in bright colors
Bathrooms – Oval eggshell knobs with polished chrome

Tie together a room’s decor by selecting door hardware that coordinates or matches other finishes like cabinet hardware, light fixtures, or faucets.

Buy Quality on a Budget

While crystal or antique knobs can be pricey, you can find quality doorknobs that suit your style at reasonable prices:

Visit home improvement stores – Many have good selections priced below $20 per knob.
Check sales – Holiday weekends and end-of-season sales often have discounts up to 30% off.
Buy in bulk online – Ordering 5 – 10 knobs together lowers the per-unit price.
Mix expensive and budget – Use higher end knobs on entry or main rooms and affordable ones on closets or back rooms.
Spray paint existing knobs – Freshen the look of old knobs with metallic spray paints.

Some ways to cut costs are opting for brushed finishes over polished ones, choosing simple styles like round knobs over crystal cuts, or selecting porcelain instead of solid brass.

Check Reviews Before Buying

Reading reviews can prevent disappointments with factors like fit, finish, and durability. Look for:

Total number of reviews – More is better. Over 100 suggests a popular product.
Star rating – Generally 4+ stars indicates customer satisfaction.
Mentions of durability – Look for notes about holding up well over time.
Fit notes – Details on adjusting easily to different door thicknesses are good.
Ease of installation – Lining up screw holes properly matters.
Photos – Pictures of the actual product can give you a better idea of the quality.
Negative reviews – A few are normal, but consistent issues are a red flag.

Thorough reviews indicate how knobs really hold up with long-term use. They can provide insight into potential benefits or drawbacks of different models.

Replace Old or Damaged Knobs

Over time, knobs and plates can loosen, split, or suffer damage. Some signs it’s time to replace them:

Wobbly, broken, or cracked knobs
Knobs that stick and don’t turn smoothly
Loose knobs that fall off frequently
Plates with gaps, cracks, or splits
Tarnished, scratched up, or spotty finishes
Knobs that are difficult to grip and turn
No longer matches changed décor style
Outdated designs, styles, or colors

Replacing old, defective knobs improves functionality, security, and aesthetics. The process for changing them is simple:

Remove old knob screw(s). May need screwdriver.
Take knobs/plates off door and remove any remaining screws or attachments.
Clean door surface thoroughly where new hardware will be installed.
Position new knob and plate aligning with screw holes.
Attach tightly with screwdriver.
Repeat process on other side of door.

Do a full walk through your home to identify any problem knobs due for an easy upgrade.

Care and Maintenance

A few tips for keeping doorknobs looking their best:

Use soft cloth to dust knobs weekly when cleaning.
Never use harsh cleaners. Warm water and mild soap only.
Dry immediately with soft towel after cleaning to prevent water spots.
Polish unlacquered brass or chrome with metal polish monthly.
Re-coat knobs like rubbed bronze with clear sealer annually per manufacturer instructions.
Tighten any loose knobs or plates promptly.
Avoid grasping knobs with wet, greasy, or dirty hands.

With occasional cleaning and checks for damage, quality doorknobs can last for many years. Well cared for hardware retains its finish, operates smoothly, and retains its beauty.

How to Choose Doorknobs for Different Rooms

Selecting doorknobs for each room in your home provides the opportunity to add personalized style. Consider the unique style, needs, and architectural details of these spaces when selecting knobs.

Entryway Knobs

Make a good first impression in the entryway with smart style:

Create a visual impact – Use oversized, boldly finished, or shapely knobs and levers on the front door to make a statement.
Add home security – Ensure the front entry knobs have keyless touchpads, deadbolts, or smart locks for controlled access.
Convenience for arms full – Crossbody levers allow opening with arms full and easy operation by kids.
Complement other finishes – Have entry knobs coordinate with lighting, vents, or hardware on nearby interior doors visible from entry.
Suit the architecture – Allow home exterior styles like traditional or modern guide knob shapes; rustic or wrought iron knobs for craftsman bungalows, clean lines for contemporary homes, etc.
Weather-resistant – Hold up to temperature swings, rain, and humidity with durable finishes like oil rubbed bronze or satin nickel and compression seals around exterior plates.
Grip for wet hands – Textured levers or wraps make opening easy when hands are wet from rain. Touchless smart locks add convenience.

The entryway knobs leave one of the strongest first impressions of your home. Make it memorable.

Kitchen Knobs

The kitchen sees heavy daily use, so pick knobs able to handle the workload:

Easy to grip – Large diameters, oval shapes, crosshatched textures, and lever handles make grasping and turning simple with wet, greasy hands.
Durable finish – Kitchens are prone to oils, fingerprints, and spills. Choose finishes like brushed nickel or chrome that resist showing marks.
Pulls on drawers/cabinets – Match knob style but opt for larger U-shaped pulls on drawers and cabinets for easy access.
Clean lines – Avoid ornate detailing that just collects grease and requires intricate cleaning. Simple, rounded shapes clean up easily.
Heat resistance – Select durable metal knobs rated for a range of temperatures so adjacent oven knobs don’t burn hands.
Child safety – Use knobs out of a child’s reach or incorporate childproofing features like push button releases.

How to Choose a Doorknob