How hardware impacts your home's design

Hardware is a critical element of high-quality home design. Small touches, like the decorative door knobs in your living room, can have an outsized effect on the overall impression you get when walking inside. Changes like these (sometimes called “accents”) can profoundly affect the atmosphere of a room and how people who enter it feel.

How hardware impacts design

The effect of hardware on design is extensive. Door knobs and handles often set the tone for the entire room, dictating the specific emotion it evokes when walking inside.

For example, sleek chrome knobs are popular in home offices and modern apartment buildings because they have a get-up-and-go vibe. Meanwhile, vintage glass knobs offer a more regal charm, and are suitable for rest areas, like bedrooms.

Essentially, knobs are finishing touches for your rooms and complete the look. They’re a final decoration that sets the tone for everything else.

How to choose quirky door knobs for different designs themes

Figuring out how to choose unusual door knobs for various designs is challenging, and there are no “right” answers. However, certain designs work better than others.

• Industrial: For industrial interiors (which are becoming more popular in the UK’s urban centres), you want raw knobs with unfinished looks. For example, Frankenstein-style exposed bolts and concrete back plates immediately appear more brutal and in keeping with this increasingly popular theme. Oversized options can work well, too, and provide a sense of greater security.
• Traditional: For traditional interiors, it is best to stick with classic and timeless knob designs that worked in the past. Here, you can experiment with intricate knobs, brass, or those with traditional crystal finishes. You could also try porcelain for floral or patterned rooms, as these can often feature bespoke designs engraved into their frontal areas.
• Farmhouse/arts and crafts: Farmhouse and arts and crafts interiors also have options. Most owners utilise wood or wrought iron because they were available in rural or rationed post-war areas. Handcrafted, vintage or custom-made door handles are even better because they nicely reflect the charm of this design.
• Modern/contemporary: Modern and contemporary interiors fare best with minimalist knobs with clean lines and metallic finishes. These options are sleeker and less brutal than industrial designs, but often made of the same materials. For these, choose mainly metal designs, and stick to geometric shapes instead of anything intricate. It is possible for a modern/traditional hybrid design, but whether you choose these options will depend on the rest of your theme.

Guide: How to select the right knobs

So, what that said, how do you select the right door knob hardware for your rooms? What’s the secret?

Ultimately, you need to consider several factors before making a final decision. Getting this step right will determine how people perceive your rooms and property as a whole.

Get the material choice right

Start by considering the material you want to use. Nowadays, you have a lot of options, so take your time to think about what will work best for you.

Brass is the clear choice for many homeowners. This metal –an alloy of bronze and zinc– is moisture-resistant and highly durable, only requiring occasional polishing. It works with traditional, contemporary, and modern room designs due to its attractive colour and understated nature.

Ceramics (like porcelain) are another option. These look beautiful in most settings and help to reduce harshness, but are prone to breakage if knocked (due to their material construction). However, they can feature beautiful engravings and feel warmer to the touch than metal equivalents.

You could also experiment with wood. While this option is becoming less popular due to durability concerns, it works for low-traffic areas, but not your front door.

Finally, you could opt for metal, the most durable approach. Stainless steel door knobs won’t tarnish, which is nice.

Create a cohesive look

You also want to ensure that your door knobs create a cohesive look in your home. They should match other hardware in the room, like faucets or light fixtures.

Getting this right can be challenging (unless you go to the same manufacturer). However, these days there are so many options out there that you’re bound to find something that works.

Choose the right proportions

Finally, ensure you use the right proportions for the door. For example, larger doors require bigger knobs (whereas cabinets can get away with far smaller hardware).

Now you know how hardware affects your home

By now, you should understand how door knob choice affects your home and how to make the right decision. Fortunately, Knobbles & Bobbles has a vast range of handles in its collection to browse (including by colour, size, and design).

Buy original and quirky door knobs today.