What should you do if you find yourself in a situation where you need to replace one of your door handles and can’t find one that matches your other doors? Something that seems so simple actually poses a much bigger problem when you browse through the aisles of hardware stores.
DO door handles have to match? The answer is no, they do not have to exactly match from door to door. But without some kind of theme or relationship between the type of door handles, you could end up with an unpleasant looking interior. Not ideal.
You don’t necessarily have to buy 10 new matching door handles, but you should consider the option. If that’s not an option or if you want to add some variety to your house, there are a few good rules for buying different styles and finishes.
Mixing
Many designers say that it’s not necessary to match door handles. As long as they belong to a similar family, the finishes and colors can vary depending on the type of room you’re entering and whether the doorknob is on the inside or outside of the door.
If your house is simple and doesn’t offer much contrast to the space, different door handles can add a nice finishing touch to the look of a room. The French doors of your bedroom may have a bolder handle if you open them to the garden outside. But your bathroom doorknob could be something simpler, as you don’t need a grand entrance to the bathroom.
Similarly, doors that lead from the outside to the inside differ significantly from doors within your house. They require different measurements and different looks. However, there is a way for them to complement each other if done correctly.
Subtle Differences
A split finish is an option for someone who wants to add a touch of diversity but doesn’t go crazy when inconsistencies occur everywhere. The split finish is when you bring a small color scheme into your home. The handles or doorknobs match regardless of where they are, but the finish differs from the inside of the door to the outside of the door.
Now, with split surfaces, it’s usually a color difference, so you may have a darker nickel color on the outside and a lighter shade on the inside. However, it’s not uncommon to have two completely different colors. It’s just much rarer.
The reason for a split finish is that it matches the room where the doorknob is located. It is meant to blend more with its surroundings than with what you cannot see. For example, the outside of a bathroom doorknob would match all the other doorknobs you can see from that vantage point. Bedroom doorknobs, bathroom handles, and cabinet handles would therefore match each other in both style and finish. But on the other side of all these doors would be a different surface/color to indicate that you are in a different room.
Tip: The style of the actual doorknobs should remain consistent with this type of design.
Blending
If you’re not interested in having all door knobs be the same, then you’re not alone. Many people like different weights when it comes to their door knob and what catches the eye. There is a way to do this so that things don’t look out of place, and it’s called blending.
With a little extra research and possibly some trial and error to have a different style of door knobs that complement the space they’re intended for, can look nice. Usually, you’ll want to shop within a family of the same color so that you can recognize that they work together. This way, the door knobs can look similar but have small different details to make them stand out from others.
If you’re willing to spend extra money and don’t like what you see from retailers, you can have custom door handles made. This way, an expert can create door handles that match but don’t all look the same, after getting a good idea of your home. However, if every doorknob is different, it can become chaotic, so it’s better to choose a few designs rather than many.
Reasons for matching
Sometimes people have a personal preference for perfectly matching door handles throughout the house, and that’s okay. There’s a certain level of simplicity when you don’t have to worry about connecting one theme. Sometimes it can also be affordable when buying in bulk.
Some interior designers say that door handles are what hold a room together. Each room already offers a unique space with different furniture, colors, lighting, and so on. They argue that a door knob can stand out and create more confusion about how the rooms connect with each other.
Size of the house
If you have a smaller house, such as a condominium or a single-story house, it makes sense to coordinate all the door handles. The eye may be able to see all the door handles at once or with just a few steps in any direction. In this case, coordination is advisable as having too many different styles can look out of place.
The doors in a condominium or smaller space usually match, except for the door to a patio or entrance. This may be the only time you want to make a change. But despite having matching doors in the hallway leading to similar bedrooms, it’s sensible to keep things consistent so as not to overwhelm the eye.
Style
As mentioned before, style can play an important role in the use of your door handles. Sometimes, a house can be busy, which is a good reason to keep things simple when it comes to the finishing touches. Despite the size of the house, whether big or small, there are situations where it may be sensible to keep it consistent.
Example: Imagine an elegant home. Picture everything polished white with smooth surfaces, from the cabinets to the granite countertops. Everything blends together and nothing stands out. It is a great masterpiece of symmetry. Some people may opt for a subtle change in finishing, but many may want to keep the theme flowing. Therefore, all the door handles are a simple, modern grip for any entrance, no matter where you go.
Affordable
Buying in bulk is always worth it, as you will most likely stick with the same knob anyway. If you don’t have to worry about comparing prices with different styles and colors, choosing the door handles can become much easier and for some, unaffordable. Sometimes, door knobs are simply not that important to a person and they would rather spend their money on something else.
Final thoughts
So, in the end, door knobs don’t have to match. And there are ways to do this so that it still looks elegant and in sync with your home. It’s just a personal preference for the amount of money you want to spend, the style you are aiming for, and the time you want to invest in selecting the door knobs.