Doorknobs: A Homeowner’s Guide

Whether you want to make over your home on a budget or simply fancy a new look on a whim, small actions like replacing your doorknobs can do much to make a difference.

Buying new doorknobs can give your house an instant lift whether you install them on the exterior of your property or inside it.

After all, it is the little details that really make a home, so don’t neglect your door furniture when contemplating an interior makeover.

If you are trying to do more for less, devising a budget and making sure you stick to it can be a good idea.

Make sure you bear in mind how many doors need a new set of doorknobs and how much money you can spend before you start comparing products.

Another thing you need to bear in mind before hitting the shops is the overall style of your house, as well as what it is that you like and are keen to see in your home.

Do you like gold or silver, shapes or plain lines? Do you want a knob featuring one colour or two? Once you’ve made decisions such as these, you will find it a lot easier to choose your new fittings.

You should also think about the level of privacy you are looking for with each room, as this will dictate the kinds of door handles and knobs you can buy.

A lot of handles come with a lock, so you might want to choose one of these for your master bedroom, while you may wish to avoid them for young children’s bedrooms.

Bathroom doors also typically come with locks for a bit of privacy, so you need to think about this when you head out to the shops.

When it comes to actually deciding where to put doorknobs in your home, you might want to think outside the box a little. The most obvious places for features such as these is, of course, front and back doors, bedroom and living room doors, and the door on the bathroom.

However, you can add a lot of interest to your home by putting these handles in places that other people may not immediately think of when doing up their own houses.

For example, new doorknobs can give your kitchen units an instant refresh, with cabinet knobs available in everything from shiny gold and chrome to glass and a black antique finish for a traditional look.

You should also devote time to choosing the perfect doorknob for your front door, not least because this is the first thing visitors will see when they get to your house and you may be keen to make a great first impression.

However, consider the fact that you don’t always use your hands to open doors when it comes to fittings for the interior of your property.

Think back to the times when you’ve had to open a door with your elbow because of having to carry something with both hands – in these cases, a standard lever door handle will be much more useful than a doorknob.

Regardless of where you do decide to put your new doorknobs and handles, you will find you are certainly spoilt for choice once you start your search for the perfect product.

By Laura