By Tony Carrick | Updated Apr 3, 2023 4:16 PM
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While door knobs often have a subtle visual statement, these fixtures can still accentuate home decor and add style to entryways.
Door handles and knobs are available in numerous designs, ranging from modern to vintage, in such finishes as brushed nickel, chrome, and brass. They also vary in function—a standard passage knob provides a means for opening a door, while privacy knobs feature simple locks suitable for bedrooms and bathrooms.
This guide will discuss the different types of interior door knobs and factors to consider while shopping. We will also showcase some of the best models available.
We researched the most sought-after knobs for interior doors in their respective categories and discovered that the best models are determined by their type, quantity, construction, finishes and styles, and other special features included by top brands.
While searching for the best door knobs on the market, we found that the most popular types among users were the passage, dummy, and privacy options that come in quantities of 1 to 10 for a single door or a whole house. For durability and aesthetics, we included top door knobs with durable stainless steel, glass, brass, iron, bronze, copper, and alloy steel constructions for longevity.
The matte black, oil-rubbed bronze, polished brass, and satin nickel finishes also make these door knobs an attractive choice for most decor styles in the home.
The recommendations below are among the best door knobs available in their respective categories. These models feature durable, all-metal construction and simple installation, with many offered in an array of finishes and colors.
This handsome set of privacy door knobs has a satin-nickel finish and streamlined look with a simple rounded knob that complements various interior designs. A thumb-turn switch allows locking for doors in bathrooms, bedrooms, and other rooms requiring a privacy lock. A hole on the opposite side allows the lock to be opened with a universal pin key, preventing lockouts.
The knobs feature all-metal construction with brass cylinders in the locking mechanism, ensuring they’ll endure many turns. These knobs fit door thicknesses between 1⅜ inches and 1¾ inches. The backplates are 2½ inches in diameter and fit standard 2⅛-inch cross boreholes. This neutral yet sleek six-piece set is an excellent option for upgrading bathroom and bedroom door knobs.
Get the Probrico door knobs at Amazon (6-pack) or Probrico.
Those looking to affordably replace the knobs throughout a home can make it happen with this set of 10 passage door knobs from Knobonly. This set is also available in packs of one, two, five, or 15. The door knobs feature a flattened ball shape and attractive nickel finish with decorative trim around the rosette plate and knob, making them a lovely addition to many door designs.
Brass and nickel-plated construction mean these knobs can last for a long time. Their lockless design makes them suitable for closets, hallways, and other rooms that don’t require privacy locks. These knobs also are reversible, allowing them to fit both left- and right-handed doors. An adjustable backset that ranges from 2⅜ inches to 2¾ inches enables them to fit 1⅜-inch and 1¾-inch door thicknesses. The rosette fits a standard 2⅛-inch hole.
Get the Knobonly door knobs at Amazon (10-pack).
A relatively quick and inexpensive way to upgrade a home’s curb appeal is to swap out old handles for a new and improved option. This set of front door handles from Berlin Modisch comes in either satin nickel, iron black, oil-rubbed bronze, or polished chrome finishes, any of which can easily fit alongside existing home hardware.
We especially appreciated the lever handle, providing users with an easier way to open the front door when hands are full of groceries or other items. Installation is straightforward and fits most door sizes, between 1⅜ and 1¾ inches. The backset latch is also adjustable between 2⅜ and 2¾ inches, and the set includes all parts and screws required for installation.
Get the Berlin Modisch door knob set at Amazon.
Made from beautiful frosted glass and a bronze finish, this door knob adds a vintage look and period elegance to traditional decor. A Victorian-style rosette accentuates the diamond design in the glass with a rubbed-oil bronze finish. This knob from Knobwell is double-sided and compatible with both left- and right-handed doors. Like standard door knobs, it fits 1⅜-inch to 1¾-inch door widths. The rosette is 2½ inches wide, suitable for doors with standard 2⅛-inch cross boreholes.
This attractive glass knob is also available in dummy and privacy versions. The model can be purchased individually or in packs of two, three, four, five, six, and 10. These passage knobs do not contain locks, making them great for closets or hallway doors.
Get the Knobwell door knobs at Amazon (3-pack) or Knobwell.
With a cylindrically shaped knob and square backing, this option from Kwikset presents a modern take on the door knob. A thumb lock adds privacy to the knob, making it ideal for bedrooms and bathrooms. It features an iron-black finish and comes with a round rosette. The knob is also available in dummy and passage models.
In addition to sturdy all-metal construction, this privacy/dummy knob also features Microban protection: This treatment on the knob’s surface helps prevent bacteria growth. An adjustable backset allows this knob to fit door widths between 1⅜ and 1¾ inches. This modern and simple knob will fit standard 2⅛-inch holes.
Get the Kwikset door knobs at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Wayfair, or Build With Ferguson.
The beveled edge around the knob’s rosette, coupled with a polished nickel finish, will suit a range of decor styles—from rustic to farmhouse to traditional. This knob comes in several finishes, including satin stainless, brass, black, antique nickel, and bronze, with options to suit a variety of tastes.
Steel internal components and nickel-plated bolts add exceptional durability. Its 2½-inch rosette plate is compatible with 2⅛-inch holes. It will fit standard door widths of 1⅜ inches to 1¾ inches. This colonial-style knob is available in passage, keyed entry, privacy, and dummy interior versions.
Get the Copper Creek door knobs at Amazon, The Home Depot, Wayfair, or Build With Ferguson.
This door knob suggests the Georgian era with a stylized rosette that features curving scrolls, decorative roses, and an aged bronze look, as well as a range of alternative finishes able to suit most interior design choices. With its vintage look, this knob from Schlage is a great option for restoring the period look of older homes or adding vintage flair to contemporary interiors.
With several knob types to choose from, including keyed entry, passage, and privacy, this knob is suited for almost any door in the home, such as interior closets, hallway doors, or bathroom or bedroom doors. It’s also available in matte black, satin nickel, brass, and more. The large 2¾-inch rosette will fit door holes larger than the standard 2⅛ inches. This knob fits backset depths ranging from 2⅜ to 2¾ inches and door thicknesses of 1⅜ to 1¾ inches.
Get the Schlage door knobs at Amazon, Wayfair, or Build With Ferguson.
With its matte black finish, this door knob from Amazon Basics is suitable for the popular rustic and farmhouse looks. A thumb lock adds privacy, while a brass body with alloy-steel construction ensures this door knob will hold up to the high traffic that bathroom and bedroom doors face.
This knob also comes in other finishes, including polished brass, satin nickel, matte black, and oil-rubbed bronze, to suit a range of style preferences. At 2 7/10 inches in diameter, this knob’s rosette is large enough to fit standard 2⅛-inch door holes and larger. For homes going for a uniform look to interior doors, this knob is also available as a passage model.
Get the Amazon Basics door knobs at Amazon.
When a simple privacy lock door knob doesn’t cut it, a slight upgrade to a more robust option like the Zincker Vaulta keypad lock door knob may just do the trick. Secure items or sensitive equipment in the home behind this security lock for added peace of mind. It also automatically locks after 5 seconds just in case.
Installation is surprisingly straightforward without much additional workload compared to any standard door knob. Users will simply need to decide on a keypad combination to set as the code to unlock the door or otherwise use the provided key. In addition to the master administrator code, it can also store up to 50 additional passcodes that can be given out to friends and family, as desired. It comes in matte black, champagne gold, coal black, or glossy silver finishes, suitable to match most existing home decor choices.
Get the Zincker door knobs at Amazon or Zincker.
Shoppers looking for a relatively affordable replacement for older bathroom door knobs may want to pick up this option from Kwikset. Available in polished brass, antique brass, satin chrome, or satin nickel, there’s a finish suitable for the majority of existing home decor styles. This could also be an ideal choice for full-home replacement because these are available as privacy-, passage-, entry-, and dummy-style options.
Installation is simple, requiring only a screwdriver and taking just minutes for most door setups, with an adjustable backset from 2⅜ to 2¾ inches.
Get the Kwikset door knob at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Build With Ferguson.
When shopping for door knobs, it’s essential to know the measurements that determine which interior knobs are compatible with existing doors in the home. Choosing a suitable knob type and an appropriate style and finish also are crucial parts of the decision-making process.
There are three main types of interior door knobs: privacy, dummy, and passage. Each type serves a different purpose and is more suitable for particular rooms.
There are three important measurements to establish before selecting a new door knob: cross bore, backset, and door thickness.
Like door handles, interior door knobs come in a variety of materials. Door knobs comprise a knob and a backplate, also called a rosette, which may be constructed of the same or different materials. Modern door knobs most commonly feature metal, though glass and ceramic options are also available.
Cut glass and crystal door knobs provide unique decorative accents to entryways. These knobs were popular in the mid-19th to early 20th century, and many available today have a similar antique look. Faceted, octagonal, diamond, fluted, and bubbled are among various designs that can add a charming old-world aesthetic to the space.
Ceramic door knobs are often painted for decorative purposes. Most feature patterns and colors that add eye-catching visuals to doorways. Knobs containing ceramic are most often made of porcelain, which is denser and more durable than other types of ceramic.
Most door knobs with metal exteriors are made of brass, with more high-end options featuring chrome or stainless steel. Metal knobs are the most durable options and can vary in aesthetic from modern to vintage. The internal parts of high-quality door knobs consist of steel, which can withstand heavy use if treated with nickel plating to resist corrosion.
In choosing door knobs, it’s important to remember that the style selected accentuates different home decor styles. Door knobs featuring clean lines and sleek finishes work well with minimalist and modern decor. These knobs can also work well for industrial-style homes, whereas metal knobs with an aged or distressed look complement vintage industrial decor.
Antique-looking metal accents and finishes can also pair well with rustic, farmhouse, and traditional decor. Historical homes and traditional interiors with Victorian-era decor can benefit from glass door knobs for a period aesthetic. For interiors such as bohemian, transitional, and eclectic, glass or colored knobs can add brightness and originality to the home.
Door knobs come in numerous colors and finishes to suit these different decor styles. Metal finishes include brass, pewter, chrome, black, bronze, copper, and polished nickel. Glass door knobs feature clear or colored designs, while ceramic options tend to feature one or more colors.
Installing a door knob is an easy DIY project that can usually be completed with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Most knobs include detailed installation instructions to walk users through the process. Only some door knobs come with the required hardware, so check product details to determine whether or not these parts are included.
Since they don’t have latch assemblies that hold the door to the door frame, dummy door knobs are naturally the easiest to install. Passageway and privacy door knobs are a little more complicated but are still very manageable, even for those who lack DIY experience.
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions from shoppers looking to buy new door knobs for their homes.
Although color preferences vary, brushed nickel (also known as satin nickel) is the most popular finish for door knobs. Other modern options can also include matte black or antique bronze for more of an added design interest.
While all the hardware in a home does not need to match, matching all of the interior door knobs will help achieve a cohesive look. On the other hand, if the home features a style such as bohemian or eclectic, mismatched door knobs could accentuate the decor.
Door knobs can last a surprisingly long time when made from quality components. As with many mechanical items in the home, door knobs that feature locking mechanisms tend to wear out more quickly. Passage knobs, which have fewer moving parts, or dummy knobs, which have no internal moving parts, will last longer by comparison.
Wipe down a door knob with a mild soap-and-water solution or metal polish to prevent corrosion. For privacy knobs, spray lubricant such as WD-40 into the hole to lubricate the knob’s internal parts. Any standard passage door knobs that start to feel loose may also need a simple tightening with a screwdriver to secure them back into place.
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