Choosing a Door Handle or Knob

Door knob on a bathroom door

If you’re thinking about making improvements to your interiors, a great starting point could be looking at your door handles or knobs. A simple change can make all the difference to the feel of your home, and the right lever handle or knob can enhance your decor, whether you’re going for a modern or more classic look.

This guide will take you through everything you need to know, including the key differences between handles and knobs, which finish will best match your decor and other considerations to make sure you find the perfect option for your doors.

Table of contents

Lever handles or door knobs?

The first choice you’ll want to make is whether you’d like to go with door handles or door knobs. Both have their advantages depending on your decor and needs, so we’ve broken down the main considerations for handles and knobs below.

Door knob

Door knobs

  • With a simple, circular design, door knobs have been around for centuries, making them ideal for period properties and classical interior designs.
  • Door knobs are also a great option to add an elegant touch to contemporary decors because of the great innovations that have been made in material and design.
  • Due to their shape and design, door knobs can be used for both right-opening and left-opening doors, depending on your preference.
  • Door knobs require more grip and force to open than handles, which can make them ideal for rooms where you may want to keep pets or young children out.
Door handle on rose

Door Handles

  • Used since the 1800s, lever handles are a great choice for contemporary homes, blending in seamlessly with more modern design elements.
  • Door handles are also perfect for glazed doors, such as those leading to a patio or sunroom.
  • With a horizontal lever, door handles provide a better grip than a knob, which is super helpful for those with differing levels of strength and dexterity.
  • The horizontal lever also means it is far easier to use a handle than a knob if you have your hands full or if they are wet or greasy.

The ultimate choice comes down to personal preference for aesthetics and who will likely use them most frequently. With great simple styles and more decorative designs available in each, you have a world of options.

Which finish is best?

After deciding whether you want a door knob or a lever handle, the next biggest choice is which finish to go for. There is a range of options to choose from, so be sure to pick a finish that fits with the rest of your decor. Below are some of the most popular finishes:

Satin Finish

Satin finishes have become increasingly popular over the last few years as their subtle tone blends with most contemporary designs. Fingerprints and smudges also show up less on satin than on other finishes, making them practical, low maintenance, and stylish, only needing an occasional wipe down with a cloth.

Zeta Round Rose Lever Door Handle Set - Satin Nickel

Zeta Round Rose Lever Door Handle Set - Satin Nickel

Matt Black Finish

Matt black door handles and knobs are perfect for modern homes, adding a sense of luxury to interiors. A matt black handle or knob can go with almost any colour of door but looks especially bold when contrasted against a white door.

If matt black is your preferred finish, you can find plenty of options in our matt collection.

Knurled Round Rose Lever Door Handle Set - Matt Black

Knurled Round Rose Lever Door Handle Set - Matt Black

Polished Chrome Finish

A classic finish with a distinctive gleam, polished chrome fits in with modern and traditional homes, particularly those with minimalist interior designs.

Chrome finishes are also resistant to corrosion and easy to clean, making them ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. You can find plenty of polished chrome door handles and knobs in our polished collection.

Developer Zeta Round Rose Lever Door Handle Set - Polished Chrome

Brass Finish

Brass finishes are popular for their classic look and the sense of warmth they can add to a door. For period properties, darker antique brass handles and knobs can blend right in, particularly if they are Victorian-era, whereas newer properties may suit lighter satin brass ones instead.

Victorian Louvre Door Knob - Antique Brass

Other considerations

Installation

You can purchase specialised handle packs that include handy accessories to support you with the installation and speed up the process. For example, latch spacers help to position the fixings quickly and accurately. Door handle packs are great when refitting a full doorway and can save you time and money. They include all the necessary parts for getting a professional and secure fit.

Fire Rated

If you’re fitting a door handle or knob onto a fire door, it must comply with fire-safety regulations. To do this, a fire-safety fixture must be installed on a fire-resistant doorway. You can ensure you know what other fire-related products need to be installed, such as hinges and door closures, by purchasing one of our door handle sets for fire doors.

Size & shape

When updating a door handle, measure the current handle and buy a new one of a similar size and shape. So, if your door handle has a square rose, buy another on a square rose. This will ensure that the new handle covers any scuffs from the fitting. Also, if you’re changing a handle in a rented property, choosing a size that is easily replaced can save money later.

Shop door handles and knobs at Leader Online

We hope this guide has helped you make the right choice for your home improvements. Here at Leader Online, we have a great selection of door handles and knobs made by various brands, available in a wide range of designs and finishes. Our handles also come with a ten-year mechanical guarantee, giving you total peace of mind on your purchase.

Read next

Internal Fire Doors- A Complete Guide

Back to blog