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Unique Door Knobs Add Flair to Your Home's Decor
Unique doorknobs can improve the appearance of a room or act as stand-out features to catch the eyes of guests. From hand-painted designs to ornate metal shapes, doorknobs and door handles come in a wide range of styles that can improve the appearance of your home’s exterior, or liven up interior design and function.
Installing a unique doorknob on closet, bedroom, or even cupboard doors can add beauty, even whimsy, where we least expect it. Whether you prefer the timeless elegance of an antique wooden doorknob or the sleek look of a clear glass doorknob, there are styles out there for just about any taste.
Hand Painted
Go all out with a hand-painted look if you pair a painted knob with a colorful, unique door and brightly hued house—think of the vibrant multicolored homes found in the French Quarter of New Orleans. For a more measured effect, add a painted knob to an otherwise subdued exterior or interior and give a touch of the unexpected. Available from
Etsy.
Beehive
Texture adds interest, even without pops of color. Although brass doorknobs are commonplace, this beehive design ups the style factor considerably. The well-defined reeding and antiqued finish make this knob the perfect accent for traditional and transitional homes. Available from
Etsy.
Related:
How to Clean Brass
Crystal
Glass crystal doorknobs, common from the 1920s through the early 1950s, still appear in abundance today—as both new and salvaged pieces. Don’t let the brilliance of the clear crystal blind you to the many joys of the colored crystal variations available. Available from
Direct Door Hardware.
Wooden
Wooden doorknobs have the advantage of growing smoother to the touch with age. Choose a wood that matches your home’s exterior or one that contrasts with your interior door to make it pop. Be sure the wood’s been finely sanded before use to prevent unwanted splinters. Available from
Willow and Stone
.
Related: Quick Tip—Choosing Sandpaper
Rope
A rope doorknob is perfect for a lake or beach house. Nautical rope can withstand the elements for a long time, but might need to be replaced after a particularly wet winter or spring. Indoors, these decorative door accessories can last. Available from
Etsy.
Whimsical
If you have children, they’ll get a kick out of this whimsical doorknob, straight from Alice in Wonderland, that looks like it’s about to jump off the door and come inside with you. The brass finish keeps it from being too over the top, so it should still hold appeal long after your kids have outgrown it. Available from
Etsy.
Vintage
These classic—and weighty—doorknobs have an aged patina that looks great and feels good in your hand. Many vintage and antique shops have an array of them in stock, or just purchase a vintage-looking new knob. Polish the knob to give it a little shine or leave it as is. Available from
Home Depot.
Animal
Perfect for the interior of a backdoor that leads to a garden or wooded area, these playful doorknobs come in a variety of animal designs so you (or your kids) can choose your favorite. Match the vibe of your neighborhood critters with bear, rabbit, or even dog knobs. Available from
Etsy.
Polka Dot Ceramic
Bring a touch of whimsy to your door with a polka dot ceramic knob. The dark, spotted pattern of knob can work well with a modern exterior and displays just the right mix of class and playfulness. Available from
Etsy.
Related:
How To Install a New Door
Bubble Glass
Produced in a range of different colors, bubble glass doorknobs combine the smooth texture of glass with slight indents or bulges where the glass was allowed to bubble by design. This process gives the doorknob a shiny, yet somewhat pitted appearance that’s clearly distinguishable from a standard knob. Choose a more modest color, like gray, or opt for a bright color like green or red to draw the eye to the decorative doorknob. Available from
Etsy.
Floral Resin
Bring the outdoors inside and reserve this doorknob art for kitchen drawers, cabinets, or cupboard doors. The doorknob is made of shaped resin that has hardened to surround a real flower inside. Just as every flower has unique qualities, each of these knobs is also distinctive, so no two will ever look exactly the same. Available from
Etsy.
Modern Angular Door Handle
Decorative door hardware doesn’t have to mean vintage doorknobs, especially if sleek, modern options will better match your home’s style. This metal door handle has a slight angular curve on the underside that extends up to the completely flat top, giving the door a stylish appearance that complements modern light fixtures, appliances, and stainless steel furniture. The impressive signature hardware and design also can add appeal in a home office or even as an option for a company office. Available from
Etsy.
Steampunk
Add steampunk-style doorknobs to cabinets, cupboards, drawers, and closets with five different color options and a unique clockwork finish that puts the “time” in “timeless.” The design of these doorknobs incorporates a series of copper, bronze, steel, and iron gears in various styles. The gears overlap and interlock, forming a truly appealing look that complements antique aesthetics or stands out in a modern home. Available from
Etsy.
Character Door Knobs
These wooden doorknobs are made for dressers, cupboards, cabinets, and closets and come in a wide range of Marvel and DC designs, including fan favorites like Deadpool, Wolverine, Batman, The Joker, Wonder Woman, and Captain America. The appealing character logos can help kids create their own unique bedroom space that reflects their passions and interests.
Available from
Etsy.
Crackled Ceramic
For a classic appearance, crackled ceramic doorknobs are a good option. They have a smooth, ceramic texture and a cracked or broken aesthetic. The knobs are made to fit any standard door and each product is individually decorated, hand-painted, and finished with an antique brass base. These knobs also come with a choice between silver or gold latches so buyers can choose the finish that best suits their home. Available from
Etsy.
Biometric Door Handle
The lever-style door handle is black with bronze highlights that emphasize its modern shape and appearance. The design features a biometric scanner built into the handle that can read a fingerprint in less than a second, saving you time and effort that would otherwise be spent searching and fumbling with keys. The scanner can store up to 20 fingerprints, so the entire family can have easy access, but unfamiliar individuals can’t enter. Available from
Amazon
.
Electroplated Red Copper
The smooth, dark background coloring of this copper doorknob highlights the red copper pattern on the knob and plate with a simple push-button lock on one side and keyed access from the other side of the interior doorknob. The electroplating process coats the doorknob with red copper instead of relying on paint to create an attractive design. The pattern appears like waves or the swirling rays of the sun, bringing to mind ancient Greek and Roman aesthetics. Available from
Amazon
.
Seashell
The spiral shape of seashells follows the golden ratio, a mathematical phenomenon that occurs repeatedly in nature. The shell forms a satisfying spiral that has appealed to people for generations. The doorknob displays the seashell in clear resin, protecting the shell without obscuring its natural beauty, so this doorknob is an excellent option for a bathroom or a home with one or more nautical-themed rooms. Available from
Etsy
.
Electronic Keypad Door Knob
The modern look and the convenient keyless entry featured in this keypad/doorknob combine for ideal interior office or exterior doorknobs. The high-tech function can serve as a built-in door lock without worry of scrambling to find your keys. It comes with a master code and nine access codes that the user can update as necessary, with up to 15 digits for enhanced home security. The keypad is illuminated to help users enter the code easily in dim lighting. Available from
Amazon
.