By Shannon Lee and Savannah Sher | posted on December 31, 2020 at 10:30 AM

If you purchase a product through one of our links, BobVila.com and its partners may receive a commission.

Although they are one of the most commonly used items in the home, door handles are often overlooked as decorative elements. Although they are just a small visual statement, these installations can still highlight the interior design and add style to the entrance. From inconspicuous handles to stunning individual items, the choice of interiors is incredible. A quick search will yield thousands of styles and finishes.

Finding the best doorknob for your home involves narrowing down your options-mainly based on style and functionality, available budget, and installation preferences. Fortunately, most door handles are self-made during installation, and only a few basic tools are required to complete the job.

Keep reading for more tips on choosing door handles, and check out some of the best suggestions in the categories below.

When buying door handles and handles, the correct size determines which models are compatible with your door. Choosing the type that suits the room it enters—with the appropriate style and finish—will also serve as a decision-making factor, as well as building materials and installation requirements.

Door handles and handles are divided into three main types: privacy, virtual, and passage. Each has a different purpose and is more suitable for a specific room.

Before choosing a new door handle or handle, three important measurements need to be determined: horizontal hole, back and door thickness.

There are many materials for interior door handles. The door handle includes a handle and a back plate, also called a garland, which can be made of the same or different materials. Modern door handles are most common in metal, followed by glass and ceramic options.

Door handles are available in a variety of colors and finishes to suit different decorative styles. Metal finishes include brass, tin, chrome, black, bronze, copper and polished nickel. Glass door handles have round or square rosettes with transparent or colorful designs, while ceramic options often have one or more colors.

The clean-lined door handles and smooth metal finishes complement the modern interior design. Matte black door handles are a stylish choice for modern industrial decor, while those with an old or distressed appearance complement the retro industrial interior. Antique metal decorations and finishes also complement the rustic farmhouse and traditional decorations.

Traditional interior design and historic residences can benefit from glass door handles to achieve the aesthetics of the times. On the other hand, stained glass and ceramic knobs can increase the brightness and originality that define bohemian and eclectic decorations.

Installing a doorknob or handle is usually a simple DIY task with limited tools. Most fixtures include detailed installation instructions to guide the user through the entire process. Only some models are equipped with the required door hardware, so please check the product details to determine whether these parts are included.

Fake door handles are naturally the easiest to install because they do not have a latch assembly that secures the door to the door frame. The installation of access, privacy, and pocket door handles is a bit more complicated, but they are usually very easy to manage, even for those inexperienced.

When evaluating door hardware products to find the best choice, all of the above features were considered when creating the preferred list. After some in-depth research, we have put together this guide to showcase some of the best door handles available in various categories. One of these options may be perfect for your home.

This six-piece lever wave handle from Probrico is made of stainless steel with a satin nickel finish and is ideal for interior doors. The latch bolt can easily lock the door, and the emergency unlocking tool can unlock the door from the outside without a key.

These handles are designed for left-hand and right-hand doors and are easy to install with simple tools because they come with all the necessary parts. Although this special suit has a wavy handle, which is very ergonomic, it also has various other lever and knob styles.

The adjustable universal latch is suitable for doors between 1¼ and 1¾ inches, making it suitable for most indoor doors. The latch plate cannot be removed from the latch, so please follow the instructions in the photo to install it without any modification.

This privacy doorknob from Copper Creek provides what people expect from a simple doorknob, and the price is easy to put on the wallet. Choose antique or polished brass, antique nickel, polished or satin stainless steel, or Tuscan bronze finishes.

This is an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) level 3 safety knob designed to withstand more than 200,000 lock cycles. The privacy lock function is only available for interior doors. In the event of an emergency or accidental lock, use a screwdriver or coin to easily unlock it.

The automatic screw alignment feature makes this handle easy to install with basic tools, while the solid brass cylinder and nickel-plated bolts help to ensure that the knob is less worn over many years of use.

This three-piece privacy door handle from Knobonly has an impressive diamond-shaped real crystal appearance, with a satin nickel finish on a traditional round rosette. The heavy-duty construction is designed for door thicknesses between 1⅜ and 1¾ inches to help ensure longevity, while the included hardware makes it easy to install with a basic screwdriver.

Fully reversible, this round knob option can be used for left or right doors. If the goal is to coordinate the specific appearance of the entire home, you can obtain matching cabinet handles and door handles through Knobonly, as well as larger crystal privacy handles to equip the entire house.

The smooth and polished chrome finish of these modern interior door handles is combined with the slender door handle contours and square plates, suitable for modern home decorating styles. The zinc handles are available in five finishes and can be easily installed into existing door holes with just a few screws.

Fully reversible left or right hand door, this handle is also compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and approved for use by people with disabilities. It is also ANSI 2 grade, making it a more powerful choice than most indoor door handles.

A simple locking mechanism requires only finger push to activate, and includes a pin release device for quick and easy access to the locked door.

These Schlage door handles come in elegant matte black, distressed bronze, antique brass and satin nickel finishes and are suitable for standard door depths. The round Georgian knob is enhanced by the style plate, adding an elegant antique element to the home decor.

This Schlage door handle is suitable for interior doors that do not need to be locked, such as closets or pantry. However, it does come with a latch and strike plate, so the door will remain firmly closed.

The door handle is a bit shorter than other door handles on the market, so it may not be a good ergonomic choice for people who need larger or easier-to-turn handles. For do-it-yourself installations, using an angled Phillips screwdriver may be a good idea.

These classic closet handles are non-rotatable handles designed to pull to open the door, rather than turning to open the latch mechanism. As there are few moving parts, these door handles are very easy to install. Only two screws are needed to connect them to inner doors 1⅜ to 1¾ inches thick.

The exterior finish is brushed nickel and does not require door preparation. Just follow the installation instructions. Using a screwdriver, gradually tighten the screws on each side to help ensure that the door fits securely and correctly. It may be helpful to use a 90-degree screwdriver to complete the work.

Although the perfect door handle varies with your home's style and interior door type, Probrico Privacy Wave style handles have become our first choice due to their high-quality structure and classic design. Those on a budget might like Copper Creek Privacy Ball Knob, which provides privacy at a low price.

These recommendations on the best door handles cover various types and styles to best suit various needs. Our selected products are developed based on extensive product research. Although the selection of door handles is mainly based on style and aesthetics, we also weighed many practical considerations when making recommendations.

We narrowed our selection to door handles and handles made of high-quality materials such as glass and stainless steel. We prefer handles with adjustable, universal hardware, which may fit most indoor doors. Our goal is to include handles and knobs that are easy to install.

If you still want to know which door handle or handle style to install and what maintenance needs to be done, this section may be helpful. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions about these lamps. For specific questions about the product, please consult the manufacturer.

There is no single standard size for interior door handles, which is why the hardware is usually adjustable. The back size is usually between 2⅜ inches and 2¾ inches.

In terms of quality and durability, chrome and stainless steel handles will be considered the best. However, they are also the most expensive option.

Although all the hardware in the home does not need to be matched, matching all indoor door handles will help achieve a cohesive appearance. If the house is in a bohemian or eclectic style, mismatched door handles may accentuate the decoration.

Although color preferences vary, brushed nickel (also called satin nickel) is the most popular finish for knobs and handles.

Wipe the door handles with a mild soapy water solution or metal polish to prevent corrosion. For privacy handles and knobs, spray lubricant such as WD-40 into the holes to lubricate the internal parts of the knobs.

Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide publishers with a way to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliate sites.

You agree that BobVila.com can process your data in the manner described in our privacy policy.

Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. all rights reserved.