4 Advice to Choose a Door Hardware

Jun. 23, 2025

It's All in the Details: Tips for Choosing Interior Door Hardware(fr,ko,nl)

If there was a competition for the top spot of which decision during the house build has been the hardest to make, then choosing our interior door hardware would be a strong contender! It was important for me to find a style that would work well throughout the house, a metal finish that would complement the other fixtures and quality hardware that would hold up over time.

Door hardware is probably not the first thing you'll notice in a room, but it's definitely not something to be overlooked. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again...details like these make a big impact on the way a home feels, so I don't regret all the time I spent going back and forth on this!

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With all the different styles, finishes and types of hardware to choose from, it can be a little overwhelming to know where to start and how to narrow it down. I learned a whole bunch through the process of choosing our interior door hardware, and I'm going to break it all down here.

START WITH FUNCTION

A good starting point is with the practicalities, and working out what kind of door hardware you will need in your home. I used our house plans to make a list of all the interior doors, and then tallied up the different types of hardware we would need:

Passage hardware (for doors that don't need to lock)
Privacy hardware (for doors that need to lock eg. bathrooms)
Dummy hardware (one-sided "fake" hardware for reach-in closets and the fixed side of a set of double doors)
Flush pulls (for our pocket doors)

With this list in hand, the next step is to consider the style of interior hardware that will work best with your home.

CHOOSING A STYLE

Door hardware is a great way to reinforce the overall design style of your home. It's subtle, but it really does make a difference. Although I'm definitely mixing it up with different decor styles, overall I want the bones of our home to feel timeless and classic, so I was drawn to more traditional hardware that would bring some age and depth to our new construction.

The other thing to take into consideration is the interior door style. Our interior doors are simple 2-panel shaker style which have the potential to feel very modern/minimalistic paired with clean-lined door hardware. Instead I opted for a classic rectangular rosette which has a decorative detail around the edge, along with simple Providence Knobs to hopefully achieve a more transitional look.

For the most part, this is the style of hardware I'll be using everywhere in the house, but there are a few doors that get special treatment. All the pocket doors (the office, laundry room and toilet room in the primary bath) will have 6" flush pulls. The dining room french doors leading to the back patio will have Merrimack Levers instead of knobs since they are exterior doors. And the kids' bedrooms upstairs will have Melon Knobs with Rope Rosettes for the closet doors—a fun little detail that will only be noticed once inside the room.

Overall, I am keeping the style as consistent as possible, but it can add interest to change it up a little, as long as it's done with intention.

CHOOSING A DOOR HARDWARE FINISH

Picking a finish was the hardest part of the process as there were so many good options to choose from. I changed my mind multiple times because there were a lot of different elements to consider.

My first consideration was the practicalities of each finish. I love the look of unlacquered brass and polished nickel, but could my perfectionist side handle the fingerprints? Probably not. For that reason, I decided to stick with a matte option.

That narrowed things down a lot, so at this point it was choosing something that would complement the door color (SW Modern Gray—a light taupe) and the other fixtures I had already decided on in the house. The hardware finish would essentially become the main metal finish in the house since it's repeated everywhere, so it was important for me to get it right.

I eventually landed on Oil Rubbed Bronze which is something I never would have considered at first. I think I'd discounted it as brass and matte black are having a moment right now, but when I took a step back and looked at how it might work in my home, I realized that Oil Rubbed Bronze could be the perfect match.

Emtek's Oil Rubbed Bronze finish is a beautiful rich black/brown with an aged feel. It provides that high contrast look—similar to matte black, but with more softness. It's a true "transitional" finish—it feels both modern and timeless, exactly what I wanted. It will complement the accent metal finishes I'm using (brass and nickel) and act as a neutral anchor to pull it all together.

METAL FINISHES: TO MIX OR NOT TO MIX

I’m a big fan of mixing metal finishes when it’s done well. It adds a lot of depth and character to a space. However, my personal preference is to stick to one metal finish for all the interior hardware so that it feels cohesive throughout. I will be layering in different metal finishes in other areas—lighting, mirrors, and plumbing fixtures.

The one area I'm breaking my own rule (although you might not even notice) is with the flush pulls, which are actually solid bronze vs. brass with a bronze finish.

It's also a good idea to match hinges and accessories (eg. flush bolts, ball and catch) to knobs/levers. Emtek has matching hinges available for all their finishes.

MY TOP TIPS FOR CHOOSING INTERIOR HARDWARE

To recap, here are my tips for choosing interior hardware:

1. Function goes first: make a list of what you need.
2. Consider the style of your home and your interior doors.
3. Mix up styles if you like, but don't overdo it.
4. Choose a finish that works with the style of your home—don't worry about trends.
5. Be consistent with your door hardware finishes throughout the house. Add accent metal finishes with lighting and other fixtures.

If you are on the hunt for hardware for your home then look no further! Emtek is such high quality and I cannot WAIT to see this beautiful hardware installed in the house—just a few short weeks away now.

Our home is built and I am thrilled with how the door hardware looks. It is timeless and looks like it belongs—exactly as I was hoping! Here's a few sneak peeks of our new home:

Tips For Selecting The Right Hardware For Your Interior Doors

It's The Details That Elevate Your Home's Decor

Whether you are remodeling or building a new custom home, selecting the right interior door hardware is an important but often overlooked step in making a home feel special and unique. The style, type, and finish of your interior door hardware should coordinate throughout your home, complement your decor, and reflect your personal taste. So, how do you know what to pick? Here are our tips for selecting the right hardware for your interior doors.

Types of Interior Door Handles

There are four types of handles for interior doors. Select the type that is most functional for each door in your home.

1. Privacy Handle

A privacy handle locks with a button or thumb-turn on the inside of the door. To unlock a privacy handle from the inside, twist the knob or pull down on the lever. To release the lock from the outside of the door, insert a pin key into the small hole. This type of knob or lever is usually installed on bedroom and bathroom doors.

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2. Passage Handle

A passage handle has a latch but does not have a lock. This type of knob or lever is typically used for hallway or closet doors that do not need to be secured.

3. Dummy Handle

Dummy knobs or levers are simply decorative. They are stationary, have no mechanical parts, and are used on closets or other interior doors where no latch or lock is necessary.

4. Keyed Entry Handle

A keyed entry handle can be locked from both sides. Install this type of knob or lever on an interior door that you do not want to be accessed freely. Keep a key handy so that the door can be unlocked quickly in case of emergency.

Styles Of Interior Door Handles

There are two styles of handles for interior doors: knobs and levers. There are pros and cons to both, so before making a purchase get samples of the handles that you are considering. Make sure the knob or lever fits well in your hand and feels comfortable when you use it.

1. Knobs

Doorknobs are round or oval and can be used on either right-opening or left-opening doors. Round knobs work well with traditional decor, while oval or egg-shaped knobs are best suited for homes with transitional-style decor.

Knobs may not be the best choice if you have elderly adults or people with disabilities living in your home because they must be twisted, which can make them difficult to operate. However, knobs may be the right choice if you have young children because you can install safety covers over the knobs to prevent them from being easily turned.

2. Levers

Levers have a look that is well-suited for contemporary or transitional-style decor. If you have a door that opens to the right, then you will need a right-hand lever. If a door opens to the left, get a left-hand lever. Make sure you consider both sides of each door when counting how many of each type of lever you will need.

Levers are difficult to childproof if you want to prevent young kids from opening doors in your home, but they are easier than knobs to open for elderly adults and for those with disabilities.

Finishes For Interior Door Hardware

All interior doors in your home should have hardware of the same style and finish. There are many finishes to choose from, and here are some of the most popular ones for you to consider.

1. Bright Chrome

Bright chrome has a highly polished, mirror-like finish and works well with modern or retro decor.

2. Satin Chrome

Satin chrome is suitable for contemporary or transitional decor and has a matte finish.

3. Brushed Nickel

Brushed nickel complements a variety of styles and can vary in appearance depending upon the lighting in a room. For an antique, rustic look choose distressed, brushed nickel.

4. Oil-Rubbed, Distressed, Or Satin Bronze

Bronze interior door hardware is available in a variety of finishes and therefore can work with almost any home decor. You can choose from oil-rubbed, distressed, or satin bronze finishes, but be aware that the patina and look of the finish can change with use over time.

5. Black

Interior door hardware with a black finish can work with traditional, transitional, or contemporary decor. The dark color pops against a white door for an eye-catching look.

6. Copper

Copper is a unique finish that can work with any decor, from rustic to contemporary, depending upon the style of the knob or lever.

7. Bright, Satin, Or Antique Brass

Satin and antique brass finishes work well with traditional-style decor. These muted finishes offer a more updated look than bright brass, which is now out-of-fashion.

8. Crystal

Crystal knobs add pizzazz to a room. They are available in clear or a variety of colors and can suit many styles of decor.

9. Hand-Painted

Hand-painted knobs have a vintage look. They are tailor-made for a home with an eclectic style.

Accessories For Interior Door Hardware

Embellishments or accessories can complete the look of your interior doors. Just be sure to choose the same style and finish for the accessories that you selected for the handles.

1. Rosette or Backplate

A rosette or backplate is the decorative trim that goes between the knob/lever and the door. A rosette can be embellished or plain but the finish should match the doorknob or lever. Rosettes come in a wide variety of shapes such as rectangular, square, round, and oval.

2. Sliding Door, Pocket Door, and Barn Door Hardware

Coordinate the finish and style of the exposed hardware for any sliding, pocket, or barn doors with the hardware on the other interior doors in your home.

3. Hinge

The hinge holds the door to the doorjamb. Make sure the hinges match the finish of the other door hardware.

4. Strike Plate

A strike plate is installed on the doorjamb and receives the latch bolt when the door is closed. The finish of the strike plate should match the finish of the rosette, hinges, door stop, and door handle.

5. Door Stop

A door stop is attached to the wall behind a door. It prevents the door from damaging the wall when it swings open. The finish should match the other door hardware.

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