Updating Door Hardware

Finding the perfect door hardware can be overwhelming. Check out this guide on updating door hardware to find some great options that will look great on any home.

The one project I tackled this weekend (I told myself that I would only tackle one project over the holiday weekend), was updating door hardware on my front exterior door. This is one of those things in my house that has been driving me crazy! I’m not sure why, but when I moved into the new house the exterior doors, front and back doors, all needed a key to unlock and lock the doors. There was no turn for the deadbolt from the inside or a lock button on the doors. I would have to insert my key FROM THE INSIDE to lock the door or unlock the door. This was very annoying, but I knew it was a simple fix.

Even if you don’t have the same issue as I did, updating door hardware is one of those small home projects that makes a huge impact!

That is what it looked like before I changed it out. If I hadn’t had the issue of not being able to get out of my door from the inside without a key, I may have considered just spray painting the handleset, but I had my mind set on getting rid of this and changing out with something a little more farmhouse style.

Here are the options that I was considering. I think these options are pretty affordable, with great reviews, and looked great!

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.

{1} Sure-loc Rustic Series Handleset   {2} Nostalgic New York Handleset   {3} Weiser Ashfield Handleset

I went back and forth for days on which one I wanted, and finally settled on the Sure-loc Rustic Series Vail.  This was the look I was going for. I really loved how long it was and that it was solid all the way down and had a rustic worn look. I also thought it would look good against the newly stained front door (even though I still feel like maybe I should have gone a little lighter on the door) I think it turned out great!

I changed this out in about an hour and the only tool I needed was a screwdriver, so this is really a quick weekend project that shouldn’t take up too much of your time.

In order to save you some headache and frustration, here are a few tips on some things to consider when picking out new door hardware:

Tips For Picking Out Door Hardware

• Try it out first – this mostly applies to when you are needing to order multiple door knobs/hardware for your interior hardware. This will save you from having to ship them all back if you get it in and don’t like it or it doesn’t fit.
• Shop around –  check out different sites for prices when you find what you’re looking for. I personally always go to Amazon first because it is just so easy. If you price shop, it can save you a ton of money.
• Read the reviews – one thing you don’t get to see if the store are customer reviews. I will always check out the customer reviews online, even if it is something I plan to go pick-up in the store.
• MEASURE – this is the most important tip. Make sure to measure your door. I made the mistake a few years ago when I bought a door handle I loved and when we got it in one of the door holes on the door was way off and there was no way of fixing it. Most all website will have the dimensions of the door holes and where everything needs to go. Make sure to measure and measure twice!

Another thing that can get really confusing if you aren’t familiar with ordering door hardware is the lingo and the different types of door handlesets you can get. I was really confused by this when I first went to buy my hardware. I saw words like dummy, half dummy, passage….I had no clue!! Here are some quick explanations of some of that door hardware lingo:

Understanding Door Hardware Lingo

• Passage – passage is a door handle/knob that does not lock at all. These are mainly used for closets or anywhere you don’t want/need a door to lock.
• Privacy – can be locked by a button or turn lock but doesn’t use a key. These are usually good options for bedrooms and other interior house doors.
• Entry – These use a key on the exterior and have a turn piece on the inside. These are what most people use on their front and back doors.
• Full Dummy – full sized door handleset but has no holes in the door and is not fully functioning. This is mostly for decoration. It looks fully functioning but is not. You would use these on maybe a pantry or french doors.
• Half Dummy – a half dummy is like the full dummy in that it is not functioning, but the half dummy only has the front side of the door handleset. Could also be used for pantry, etc.

I know most of this post has been about entry way door hardware, but don’t forget about your interior doors! These can be inexpensive fixes that you’ll find will make a huge difference in the look of your rooms. I am in the process of deciding which door knobs to use on the interior doors. Here are a few of my favorite options for affordable interior door hardware:

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.

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Which ones are your favorite?

This post contained affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.