How Much Should You Spend on Door Hardware?

Door hardware is a small design detail, but as with all decor choices, a wise one can effortlessly elevate the overall aesthetic. From hardware style to finish and form, that doorknob you put your hands on every day can really make a statement. 

"Door handles are the jewelry of your home and should be given as much weight as other major design decisions," says Mary Maydan, founder and principal of Maydan Architects in Palo Alto, California.

"We are finding more ways to add a jewel-like feeling to this sometimes neglected item with the finish and style selection of door hardware," says Sarah Latham, principal at Latham Interiors in Ketchum, Idaho.    

Luckily, getting this detail right doesn’t mean spending a fortune (although you certainly can). When it comes door handles, there’s great design at every price point, starting at less than $50 and ratcheting up to more than $500.

The Evolution of Door Hardware

The humble doorknob is the ultimate marriage of form and function. Invented in the early 1800s, the door handle actually came after the door lock, which was the only way to both secure and control a door. 

While early iterations were mainly functional—a handle made opening doors easier and securing them shut cheaper than expensive locks—style and design quickly came to the forefront. 

Then as now, door hardware comes in many shapes, finishes, and materials. Your knob, lever, or pull can be made of glass, wood, ceramic, plastic, or a plethora of different metals. It can be purely decorative, handily functional, or essential for security and privacy.   

The big debate in terms of style and look is about whether all your hardware needs to match. The experts we spoke to feel that you should match door hardware throughout your home. "It creates a more cohesive and purposeful aesthetic," says Latham. 

But they all agree it's a personal choice. And, if one finish won't work throughout your house, you can opt for a split finish, which allows for, say, polished bronze on one side and blackened brass on the other.

Hand-Feel and Quality

Shopping for handlesets can be overwhelming, as there are so many options. Focus on style, quality, and comfort, says Latham, and be sure to try before you buy: "Before investing in 15 to 20 door hardware sets, order at least one, or test it in a showroom, to make sure you feel comfortable using it in your home." Also, consider the scale of the hardware set with the size and style of the door it will fit on. 

When considering quality, look for solid metal rather than plated metal; it’ll retain its finish longer and resist flaking. High-quality products won’t have visible fasteners, and the internal mechanisms (latches, locks) will be sturdier and made of better quality materials.