Do you know that the type of door knob or handle you choose can make a big difference in the look and feel of your home?
Door knobs and handles are not only functional, but also decorative. They can add style, personality, and security to your doors. But with so many options available, how do you pick the right one for your needs?
In this article, I will guide you through the different types of door knobs and handles, and help you find the best one for your budget, preference, and door type.
Types of Door Knobs
Traditional spherical knobs still reign, along with detailed accent plates adding extra sophistication.
Ball Knobs
Perfect for: interior doors
- A classic and versatile doorknob style that can be used on a variety of doors
- Spheres crafted usually from metal alloys or glass
- Polished, patterned and painted finishes
- Range from cheap acrylics to fine cut crystal
Pro Tip: Look for round knobs with an ADA compliant grip span for accessibility.
Thumb Turn Knobs
Perfect for: bathroom, bedroom, laundry room, pantry doors
- Ideal for interior doors that require privacy and ease of use
- Small spin knobs sized for thumb/finger turning
- Lock or unlock privacy and passage door latches
- Locate interior side of bathroom & bedroom doors
Backplate Knobs
Perfect for: exterior doors, interior doors with high traffic
- Provide a more secure and durable option than surface-mounted knobs
- Square, rectangle shaped plates backing knob base
- Often with geometric or floral cutout patterns
- Add visual weight, dimension versus flat doors
- Complement contemporary to classic spaces
Rose Knobs
Perfect for: bathroom, guest bedroom, formal living room, historical homes
- A classic and elegant type of doorknob that is typically used on interior doors
- Circular rosette plates surrounding knob base
- Beaded, leaf tip, acanthus edging lends depth
- Stately decorative accent for period architecture
- Available from basic to highly ornate
Escutcheon Knobs
Perfect for: bathroom, powder room, closet, and entryway doors
- Particularly well-suited for doors that need a decorative or upscale touch
- Ornate, decorative face plates covering door prep and hardware
- Come in round, oval, square and unique shapes
- Feature vintage patterns: floral, scrolls, corner flourish details
- Enhance aesthetic appeal of ordinary knobs
| Knob Type | Key Attributes |
| Ball | Spheres in metal, mineral, glass |
| Escutcheon | Decorative accent plates |
| Thumb Turn | Tiny spin knobs for latch control |
| Backplate | Cutout geometric plates behind |
| Rose | Circular rosettes frame knob base |
Do you want to learn more about the anatomy of door knobs and how they work? Find out everything you need to know in our comprehensive guide on the different parts of door knobs.
Types of Door Handles: Grips, Pulls and Levers
Ergonomic handles provide easier operation than twisting knobs.
Standard Straight Levers
Perfect for: bedroom, bathroom, pantry, closet doors and exterior doors (in conjunction with a deadbolt)
- Most common + affordable handle type
- Long, straight elongated shape
- Simple, durable, neutral design
- Available in most hardware finish options
Euro/Designer Handles
Perfect for: bathroom, closet, sliding door, front and back door, garage door
- Sleek, modern appearance
- Provide both security and convenience
- Graceful shapely curves or minimalist angles
- Reflect European aesthetic
- Sophisticated contemporary statement
- Elevate modern industrial, farmhouse or boho chic decors
Antique Handles
Perfect for: entryway doors, living room, dining room, bedroom
- A timeless choice for adding a touch of character and authenticity to your home
- Ornate facets with vintage design motifs
- Accomplished “lost wax” bronze casting method allows detailed shapes
- Pair with crystal rosette plates for dramatic impact
- Bring Victorian, Art Deco inspiration
Privacy Handles (Passage Handles)
Perfect for: bathroom, bedroom, laundry room, pantry doors
- Designed to provide privacy without the additional security of a key lock
- Built-in slide button, turn knob, or twist catch operated internally prevents intrusions from exterior side
- Great for bathrooms used by multiple household members or guests
Keyed Entry Levers
Perfect for: front door, back door, side door
- Typically used on exterior doors that require a higher level of security
- Exterior lever allows key unlocking
- Interior knob or thumb turn latch control
- Integrated commercial grade deadbolt for security
- Keyless smart lock options growing in popularity
| Handle Type | Key Features and Benefits |
| Standard Straight Lever | Affordable, simple, neutral |
| Euro/Designer | Contemporary graceful curves or modern angles |
| Antique | Ornate, accomplished vintage appearance |
| Privacy | Internal controls prevent intrusions |
| Keyed Entry | Exterior key unlocking + interior knob control |
Bar Pull Handles
Perfect for: bathroom, closet door, sliding door, fire doors
- Horizontal door pulls
- Allow comfortable whole hand grip
- Ideal for full height commercial doors
- Also add modern accent touch to small cabinet doors
D and U Shaped Pulls
Perfect for: wardrobe, bathroom, closet doors, entryway doors, garden doors, back doors
- Gently curved shape fits the grasping hand ergonomically
- Smooth comfortable grip encourages use
- Light pull action – ideal where accessibility matters
Flush Pull Handles
Perfect for: cabinets, pantries, closets, small storage places
- Sleek, minimalist, concealed
- Metal pulls embed fully into door
- Maintains clean linear surface when closed
- Crisp, invisible handle cavities
Finger Pull Handles
Perfect for: interior sliding doors, compact closets, storage places
- Small U-shaped indent grip
- Discreet shape nearly flushed into door
- Leave minimal protruding hardware
- Suited for tight spots like closets
Mortise Handles
Perfect for: wooden interior doors
- Used alongside mortise locksets embedding into door edge
- Provide smooth unbroken door faces
- More difficult to install but offer sleek built-in look
- Pair with coordinating escutcheons and plates
Flush Pull Handles
Perfect for: cabinets
- Low profile rectangular pulls activate bolts embedding into door edges
- Allow securely joining unlatched paired doors – Maintain clean sightlines with hidden hardware
- Manual or automatic bolt operation available
Keyless Entry Handles
Perfect for: exterior doors
- Integrated touchpads, biometrics, Bluetooth
- Wave goodbye to keys!
- Grant access via codes or fingerprints
- Remote app control convenience
I’m amazed by the fact that 86% of millennials are ready to spend extra money on a “smart unit” that has devices like keyless entry that can be automated or controlled remotely.
Hall & Closet Handles
Perfect for: interior and closet doors
- Simple non-locking passage hardware allowing general access between non-private interior rooms
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Handles
Perfect for: exterior doors, interior doors
- Designed to make doors more accessible for people with disabilities
- Light spring return action
- Broad lever surface and ample grip clearance
- Effortless pull operation
Dummy Handles
Perfect for: interior doors
- Installed on the surface of a door, rather than being mounted into the door itself
- Purely decorative without any working parts
- Non-latching handles matching adjacent functional doors’ aesthetics. Provide pleasing visual uniformity
Key Factors When Selecting a Door Knob or Handle
Consider door location, use case and user needs before choosing style.
Door Location Factor Considerations
| Exterior Door Hardware | Interior Door Hardware |
| Durable forged metals like bronze, brass and stainless alloys | Softer metals like nickel and chrome suffice for lighter use |
| Protective finishes resisting weathering – oil rubbed bronze ideal | PVD, lacquer finishes fend off metal abrasion from frequent handling |
| Grade 1 or lifetime performance confidence | Lower precision grades expected |
| Keyed locks and deadbolts for security | Privacy locks, push button handles suit most |
| Rustic natural metals suit outdoor aesthetics | Polished metals complement indoor decor |
Intended Door Use Considerations
| High Traffic Doors | Bedrooms & Bathrooms | Accessibility & Safety |
| Durable finishes + metals | Privacy lock handles | Smooth easy grip lever handles |
| Calibrated spring tension | Thumb turn knobs | Broad clearance meets ADA |
| Account for potential abuse | Internal slide locks | Light action aids limited mobility |
| Commercial grade performance | Built-in turn buttons | Pet/childproofing functions |
- Specify pick resistant grade locks and tamper-proof screws for exterior doors and interior entries
- Seek smart lock keyless convenience like passcodes or fingerprints on main entries
- Sync door hardware finishes with cabinet knobs, lighting, appliances and accessories throughout the space
Additional Considerations When Buying a Specific Type of Door Knob or Door Handle
Beyond core functionality, trending selection factors include:
Child Safety
- Prevent unwanted access with handles safely out of toddler reach or featuring childproofing lock controls
Pet Safety
- Specify pet proof levers with calibrated spring tension preventing nose nudging entry
Adjustable Opening
- Customizable exact degree of handle turn to smaller angles required for entry – Ease operation for children or the mobility impaired
By thoughtfully accounting for door use, location and user needs, you can select optimal handles and locks tailored to your unique space and lifestyle.
Conclusion & Next Steps
The wide spectrum of doorknobs, ergonomic handles and smart locking options on the market makes it easy to design doors with aesthetically pleasing, durable and accessible hardware solutions unique to your needs and taste.
Unsure how to coordinate finishes across hardware styles? You’re not alone. If I were you, I would Consult showrooms like Emtek, Rocky Mountain Hardware or Rejuvenation displaying curated hardware coordinating collections with designer door levers matched to cabinet knobs, deadbolts, hinges and lighting in the same metal tones and patinas – so you can visualize pieces together.
