There are many different ways to open doors, and some of us prefer levers and handles over knobs.
In some cases, it’s both a practical and visual choice. But what happens to your interior design if you have a mix of knobs and levers across the home?
Can you mix door knobs and levers? You can, but they should match your general interior design and theme. Do also consider how they blend with your doors, and try matching finishes over styles.
Why do people match door knob or lever styles?
Many homeowners match door knob and lever styles for cohesion. If you have a large, open hallway with all doors on display, it makes sense to try and match them.
Pro Tip: Embrace Cohesion Over Chaos
As a home decorator, I’ve learned that cohesion is key. If you’re considering mixing door knobs and levers, make sure they match your general interior design and theme. Remember, even the smallest details like door handles can impact the overall aesthetic of your home. So, if you must mix, opt for similar metals, colors, and styles to maintain a cohesive look.
Your handle choice also depends on your home’s style and aesthetic. If you have a rustic, classical, or rural interior design, modern handles mixed with traditional knobs will look awkward. The same will apply if you have an occasional ornate knob alongside sleek, polished levers.
While matching all the knobs and levers in the home may be a classic technique, it doesn’t always work nowadays. Modern bathrooms and bedrooms, for example, don’t always match well with traditional door knobs.
Will mixing door knobs and levers harm my interior design?
It’s unlikely mixing door knobs and levers will cause much harm unless you use many different types. Mixing lots of different handles across the home can seem erratic and even clumsy.
Pro Tip: Consider the Door’s Purpose
In my experience, the purpose of the door can greatly influence the choice of knob or lever. For instance, the handle to a kitchen pantry may not be the same as the handle to your front door. Always consider the colors of your doors and the practicality for the spaces they open and close. A modern bathroom, for example, will unlikely benefit from a clunky door knob in a dark finish.
A cohesive look is conducive to a home that’s easy on the eye. While you may not pay attention to door handles, a poorly-placed fitting can clash with the surrounding decor.
It’s best to choose a style or aesthetic and to maintain that theme, and this even applies to doorknobs! Mixing too many different styles can give an impression of carelessness – and it’s not easy on the eyes. Always prioritize cohesion over chaos where possible.
If you must mix door knobs and handles, opt for similar metals, colors, and styles. You can match ornate knobs with similar levers and handles. These will blend well together as they clearly belong to the same aesthetic.
Even simply choosing brass-made or brass-colored knobs and levers to match can help create an intentional, cohesive look.
A clever technique may be to use different types of knob or lever on either side of a door. If the inside of one room (e.g., your lounge) is fairly modern, and your hallway rustic, match your handles.
Have an ornate knob pointing outwards and a modern one leading in. You can mix and match different styles on either side of the same mechanism in many cases. This is similar to painting either side of your door to match different rooms.
Pro Tip: Use Standout Handles for Feature Rooms
One trick I’ve found useful is to use standout door knobs or handles for feature rooms. This can help to make a room like your master bedroom feel more private or luxurious. You can then use modern handles across the rest of your home, allowing the feature room to stand out. This technique can also help to identify bathroom and toilet spaces, especially when all your doors look the same from the outside.
Other ways to match your door knobs and levers
Don’t purely focus on the styles of door knobs and handles, but on how they work with your general interior design. For example, for lighter-colored spaces, opt for lighter-colored and finished handles.
A door’s style, look, and purpose can also impact the best fit with regard to a knob or handle. For example, the handle to a kitchen pantry may not be the same as the handle to your front door.
Consider the colors of your doors and the practicality for the spaces they open and close. A modern bathroom, for example, will unlikely benefit from a clunky door knob in a dark finish.
Conversely, rustic doors made in unfinished wood may look good with dark metal knobs but not polished levers. Look carefully at the doors throughout your home and decide on a handle style that complements each.
The same applies to the general decoration and purpose of your rooms. Don’t add dark, clunky door knobs to open, airy rooms. If the rest of a room’s design is minimal and lightweight, match this with appropriate handles or levers.
It’s also prudent to look at the tone and warmth of existing fittings and furnishings. A door with warm, dark hinges may clash with sleek, clinical, and cold handle designs.
When can I use door knobs or levers that stand out?
The best way to use a door knob or handle that stands out is if you have a feature room. This may be your master bedroom, for example.
You may wish to make this room stand out as private or luxurious with an ornate door knob. You can then use modern handles across the rest of your home, allowing it to stand out.
This technique can also help to identify bathroom and toilet spaces. When all your doors look the same from the outside, use feature handles or knobs to highlight conveniences. This is a great trick if you don’t want to put plaques on your doors (which isn’t for everyone).
The key is to make one door stand out and keep the rest cohesive. This reduces chaos and shows your guests that you’re highlighting a particular space for a reason.
FAQs
What’s more modern – knobs or levers?
Levers are more modern than knobs, as their mechanisms are much younger. But, there are modern door knobs designed for minimalist spaces.
On the whole, door knobs are best reserved for period rooms and properties, whereas levers are a more modern standard.
What are some door knob styles that are trending?
Popular door knob styles in recent years include brass, black, and chrome fittings. Dark shades and tones became popular again towards the end of the 10s.
As with all interior design trends, this will likely change. Try and choose levers and knobs that complement your own tastes, and your interior design, as priority!
Are polished brass door handles outdated?
Polished brass looks timeless in period properties and in classical interior design. You won’t find brass knobs in many modern homes, but they’re still popular with many homeowners.
What are some of the most popular door handle and door knob finishes?
Popular door handles finishes include stainless steel and polished nickel. Both are timeless, easy to clean, and easy to match and blend across the home.
