In a home, some things fall under the smallest details, and one of them is the door handle – these are among the easiest things to get wrong, as people in home decor usually focus more on flooring, furniture, and colours. Just like any minimalist or modern-looking handle will look odd on a Victorian gate, in the same way any heavy door knob can seem extravagant in contrast to a stylish, clean interior. Choosing the right architectural hardware is what separates a home from feeling like an afterthought.
Whether you have a space with a Georgian property, a Victorian townhouse or even a countryside cottage, what is needed is thoughtfulness, and we at Infinity Decor are asked almost every day for tips on how to decide on door handles that fit a home rather than just following a trend. In this guide, we will try to help you by breaking down the style, which helps in shopping.
Why These Matters More Than One Thing?
Door Handles and knobs are the type of hardware that has been touched dozens of times in a day and is at eye level in the room throughout the day, and as a piece in the home decor, they have a bigger aesthetic value than their little size may seem. The perfect interior door handles connect a hallway, living area, or bedroom to the building's exterior character; the incorrect ones give the space an unpleasant, odd image even when everything else is well-decorated.
Interior designers architectures always treat this architectural hardware as the last finishing touch, which is selected only after the style direction is set, and homeowners themselves can also choose to follow the same thing, i.e. identifying your architectural style first, then letting your style guide your hardware choices.
Victorian And Georgian Homes
Georgian and Victorian properties are usually described by their craftsmanship, proportion and symmetry, which need to be matched with the hardware. Usually, hardware like traditional door knobs in finishes like aged or polished brass, iron, porcelain and products like a door knob on a backplate will look better for these types of interiors rather than a plain knob. Not only this, styles like reeded, fluted, etc shaped knobs are also preferred with different finishes like aged brass, bronze, antique, nickel, as these finishes showcase the era of solid hand-finished metals.
Edwardian Homes
These types of spaces have somewhat softened the Victorian era's heavier decorative elements while maintaining a powerful feeling of history in the name of simpler design. Hardware usually follows a pattern: although classic door knobs are still suitable, simpler round or octagonal designs are more suited for this Edwardian era than Victorian forms with a lot of reeds. Door Knob on a backplate in a warm brass and satin tone also works fine, as it maintains traditionality with modern tones.
Rustic and Cottage Properties
These properties called and needs for a type of architectural hardware and home decor that are handmade and feature originality and looks rather than things made using machines. Handforged hardware and ironmongery products, along with hardware with black iron and pewter finish is recommendable as these products make interiors feel authentic, not fixed.
Contemporary and Art Deco
Today’s architecture is demanding and is favouring minimalism and uninterrupted stillness, while Art Deco properties look for something with strong geometry; that’s why hardware also needs to be similarly restrained. Things like lever-on-rose handles, slim pulls, sunburst knobs, pulls, etc are suggested for these types of spaces.
Some Practical Tips
You need to keep in mind the backset and thickness of the door before getting any door knob or backplate handle.
Functionality and security of hardware are as important as its aesthetics.
Ordering a single unit first is preferable to fitting it once in the whole house.
While handles, cabinet hardware and accessories set the tone, hinges, letterplates, and door knockers also play an important role and need to be coordinated for an aesthetic look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Handles Need to Match Throughout the House?
No, it does not need to be matched room by room, although consistency in finish, like all brass or all matt black across a floor or whole house, generally looks more purposeful as compared to combining many finishes.
Are Traditional Door Knobs suitable for modern homes?
They can be suitable, most importantly in interior which is transitional, i.e. which can blend both new and old easily. However, in a fully new contemporary build, lever-on-rose handles will suit better than knobs.
Should Internal and External handles need to match?
They don’t need to be the same, but they definitely need to belong to the same design language.
What is the best finish in hardware for a period home under budget?
Aged Brass and Antique Brass finishes provide a convincing look over brass or zinc, as it reduces the cost of handmade ironmongery.
Selecting door handles is not just about a simple hardware decision but also a home decor decision that can affect the whole aesthetics of your interior. Whether you are planning to restore the details of your Georgian or Victorian homes or are reconstructing a modern home, Infinity Decor is itself a best option to have it all in one place without thinking about the quality, price and variety.
