Latest Trends in Door Handles & How to choose the right style for your new home
by Carlisle Homes
Door handles, pulls, and door knobs are essential elements in home design that can significantly impact both the aesthetic appeal and functionality of your new home. Whether selecting door handles for your entry or internal doors, double doors or back doors, your choices will play an important role in the overall look and feel of your home. Here, we explore the latest trends in door hardware, provide tips on choosing door handles and guide you through different handle types to help you craft a unique look that reflects your personality and style.
Door handles, pulls and knobs: The jewellery for your home
Selecting your door handles might seem like a small detail, but they are often considered the finishing touch for your new home, much like jewellery completes and outfit. The right type of door handles and knobs can elevate the design of your home, adding both style and substance.
At Carlisle Homes we offer a wide range of door handles, door knobs and pulls in various finishes to match your interior style. Our selection includes high-quality door handles from renowned European brands such as Assa Abloy and Hafele – known for their premium and modern door handles.
Additionally, our external door handles come equipped with durable lock mechanisms from trusted brands like Lockwood for added security.
Whether you’re after an ornate fixture or a more pared-back handle to suit your home, it’s important that the hardware not only looks stylish but performs well too. Featured here: Montague Grand, Woodlea, Aintree.
Exploring the main types of door handles and their uses
What are the different types of door handles?
When it comes to enhancing both style and functionality, choosing door handles is important. With a wide variety of types of door handles available, from classic door knobs to modern door handles like door levers and versatile pull handles, each option offers unique benefits tailored to different types of doors and spaces. Understanding these handle types will help you make informed decisions that complement your home's interior design while improving the ease of use and security of both your entry doors and internal doors.
Our wide range of door handle options within our industry-leading Spectra Showroom
Door knob: A classic design with modern appeal
A door knob is a classic choice available in round, oval or egg-shapes. They can be used on both interior doors and external doors. For added security, exterior door knobs often include a lock mechanism in the centre.
- Overview: Classic design that suits a variety of settings.
- Styles: Available in numerous materials like brass, chrome and matte black.
- Best Uses: Ideal for bedrooms, wardrobe doors and traditional spaces.
Door levers: Ergonomic and stylish options for every room
Door levers are ergonomically designed door handles that are easy to use, making them a popular choice for internal passage doors. A horizontal door lever is pushed down to open a door, with a latch that closes the door securely. They’re especially beneficial for elderly adults and those with disabilities due to their easy-to-grip design.
- Overview: Horizontal levers that are pushed down to open a door, often paired with a lock door handle for added security.
- Styles: Available in finishes like matte black and brushed nickel.
- Best uses: Suitable for bedrooms and bathroom doors.
Pull handles: Versatile solutions for cabinets and doors
Pull handles are a versatile door handle, often used on kitchen and bathroom cabinetry as they allow users to simply pull a drawer or door open. They’re easy to grip and come in various shapes, including cup pulls, D pulls and loop pulls.
- Overview: Simple yet functional, ideal for cabinetry and doors
- Styles: Available in materials like stainless steel, matte black and brass.
- Best Uses: Perfect for kitchen and bathroom cabinets, as well as pantry doors
Dummy levers: Non-turning handles for aesthetic purposes only
Dummy levers are non-turning door levers that function like pull handles or a door pull. They are typically suitable for pantry and laundry cupboard doors.
- Overview: A fixed lever that doesn’t operate a latch, used for aesthetic purposes.
- Styles: They are often available within the same door handle range as standard levers.
- Best Uses: Best suited to pantry and laundry cupboard doors, where a locking or latch mechanism isn’t required.
Privacy handles: Secure solutions for bedrooms and bathrooms
A privacy door handle is essential for spaces like bathrooms and bedrooms where locking is required. Privacy handles often feature a thumb turn or snib that allows you to lock the door from the inside, with an emergency release access hole or slot on the outside.
The most popular locking mechanism is the privacy pin. This has an easy push-in function that allows you to lock the door, and unlock the door seamlessly using the handle lever.
- Overview: Essential for maintaining privacy in personal spaces.
- Styles: Consider matching privacy door handles with other door hardware for a cohesive look.
Best Uses: Ideal for bathrooms and bedrooms, with options like the privacy pin with push-in function.
Choosing door handles to get the right look for your home
Door handles come in a variety of colours and finishes to suit the overall design of your home, including chrome, brass, copper, porcelain, glass, leather, black and white. While there’s no rule that says all of your new door handles need to match, it’s important they harmonise with the room’s colours and finishes.
The latest door handle trends favour finishes like timber, satin brass and brushed gold, adding warmth to the home. Coloured handles are also in vogue; think black or white powder-coated metal door levers and pull handles that bring a casual and contemporary vibe.
While not as practical as metal or powder-coated finishes, which are easy to clean and won’t stain, handcrafted leather pulls are another popular choice for kitchen door handles.
Meanwhile stainless steel and chrome are timeless finishes that suit homes with cool palettes and classic or traditional styles. Chrome-plated door handles have a lustrous finish that adds drama, while stainless steel offers a softer, more muted appearance.
The type of door handle you choose is entirely up to you!
Gently curved or antique-style fixtures add character and timeless elegance without compromising functionality. Choosing the type of door handle you’d like for your new home is entirely up to you. Featured here: Sacramento, Minta Estate, Berwick.
Kitchen & bathroom cabinetry hardware
You can choose from a vast range of hardware styles for the kitchen and bathrooms in your new Carlisle home, including curved and rectangular pulls in nickel, black and white for a modern look, flat, brushed gold knobs for a touch of glamour, and antique-style cup pulls in aged brass or pewter to suit classic and transitional cooking and bathing spaces.
If you have sleek, flat-fronted cabinets consider minimalist handles, such as a slender and streamlined D pull in chrome, matte black or white. Or, if you have Shaker-style or VJ-profile cabinetry, add an authentic feel with traditional hardware, such as a cup pulls for drawers paired with knobs for doors in stainless steel or an antique pewter. Alternatively, add an organic and handmade feel to your kitchen by specifying oversized, flat timber knobs or leather tab pulls.
You can make a statement by pairing pale timber kitchen or bathroom cabinetry with look-at-me hardware in black or copper. Or, set a more casual, Scandi tone by opting for clean-lined, matt white pulls and knobs. Create a sense of flow by matching them with white light fixtures and display items on your benchtop.
If you have a dark timber vanity or kitchen cabinetry, create an eye-catching contrast by pairing it with white D pulls or loop pulls in satin brass. If a more muted aesthetic is your style, combine it with matt black hardware or vintage-look hardware in antique iron.
Matt-white hardware makes a subtle statement and will give your bathroom a fresh, casual feel. Featured here: Piermont, Attwell Estate, Deanside.
How to choose door handles with confidence
When it comes to selecting the shape of your door handles, it’s a good idea to take your cues from your fixtures. For example, if your basin and tapware are rounded, consider rounded pulls or door knobs. If your fixtures are squared off, go for more square-edged door knobs or rectangular pulls.
Door knobs, pulls, or a combination?
Shape colour and finish aren’t the only factors to consider – think about whether you want to use door knobs, pull handles or a mixture of the two. Door knobs are suitable for most drawers, except large ones containing heavy items like pots or pull-out storage, where a drawer pull might be more practical. Consider whether a passage door handle or a locking mechanism is more appropriate for the space, especially in areas that require easy access, such as hallways.
Pay attention to scale
Scale is another important consideration; assess the size of drawers or cabinetry panels when selecting hardware and make sure it fits proportionally. As a general rule, you’ll want pull length to be around one third of the width of the cabinet or drawer.
Sliding door handles
If your home features sliding doors, selecting the right sliding door handles is crucial. These handles should be sleek and unobtrusive to ensure smooth operation while complementing the overall design of the space. Consider modern, minimalist handles in finishes like matte black or stainless steel for a contemporary look.
Passage Door Handles
For areas of your home that see frequent use, such as hallways or living areas, choosing the right passage door handle is important. These handles, which typically do not have a locking mechanism, should be durable and easy to operate, ensuring smooth movement between rooms while fitting seamlessly with your overall decor.
Explore more options
For more inspiration and guidance, visit explore the range of door handles offered at Carlisle Homes - either within our Spectra Showroom or on the ground at our display centres within one of our many display homes.
When it comes to selecting the shape of your hardware, it’s a good idea to take your cues from your fixtures. Featured here: Astoria Grand, Attwell Estate, Deanside.
Interior doors: Enhancing the functionality and style of your home
Your interior doors are key touch points throughout your home, making the selection of the right door furniture crucial.
At Carlisle Homes, you have a choice of six stunning levers in a satin chrome finish for the internal doors of your new home. These styles boast elegant, pared-back lines and are versatile enough to fit into a variety of home styles. You’ve also got the option to upgrade to lockable privacy levers (ideal for rooms such as bedrooms and bathrooms), and doorstops to prevent the levers from damaging your walls and fixtures. To achieve a cohesive look throughout your home, it's important to match your interior door hardware with the decor of each room.
Entrance door handles: First impressions matter
When it comes to front-door handle trends, clean, simple lines and modern finishes such as black and stainless steel are popular options right now.
The front door of your new Carlisle home comes with a Lockwood Symmetry Entrance set in polished or satin stainless steel as standard. But you can make a bolder statement by upgrading to one of our many lever-style front door sets in polished chrome or matt black.
Alternatively, opt for a slender, vertical pull handle in matt black or satin chrome to give your entrance a minimalist, modern look.
For enhanced security, you may wish to upgrade to a deadbolt for your front door. These come in round and square styles in your choice of matt black or chrome, allowing you to match them with your entrance set or handle for a cohesive look.
With all the finer details ticked off, your beautiful new room scheme is complete!
Elevate your home with the best door handle
Well-chosen door handles can transform the look and functionality of your home. Whether you prefer the sleek look of matte black door hardware or the classic appeal of brass, Carlisle Homes offers a comprehensive range of door handles to suit any style. Visit a Carlisle display home to see the latest trends in action and get inspired to make the perfect choices for your home.
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See how the latest door hardware looks in a home setting with a visit to our Carlisle display homes.