Decorating
10 Decorative Ideas to Get a Handle on Your Doors
When is a door not just a door? When it becomes something far more beautiful thanks to a gorgeous handle. Check out this pick of the best
It can be easy to overlook the little details in a home: light switches, hinges, knobs and plug sockets. These small but essential ingredients are the quiet workhorses of an interior, but it’s often the paint colours and soft furnishings that steal the design limelight.
That said, something interesting happens when we direct attention towards these details; when we fit the beautiful instead of the basic or utilitarian, they become suddenly noticeable and lovely to look at and use. And this is certainly true of door handles. Whether on an internal or external door, a chic handle can provide a pop of additional style or a splash of witty shape. This roundup of ten designs illustrates how exciting and attractive they can look.
That said, something interesting happens when we direct attention towards these details; when we fit the beautiful instead of the basic or utilitarian, they become suddenly noticeable and lovely to look at and use. And this is certainly true of door handles. Whether on an internal or external door, a chic handle can provide a pop of additional style or a splash of witty shape. This roundup of ten designs illustrates how exciting and attractive they can look.
2. Go flat out
Recessed handles like this one work beautifully with sliding doors and will not cause an obstruction as the door slides all the way back. In addition, opening a sliding door involves pulling sideways rather than towards you; this shape of handle lends itself perfectly to that movement.
Recessed handles like this one work beautifully with sliding doors and will not cause an obstruction as the door slides all the way back. In addition, opening a sliding door involves pulling sideways rather than towards you; this shape of handle lends itself perfectly to that movement.
3. Choose the unexpected
Handles can be repurposed from other materials, including short lengths of old piping for a cool industrial look. This quirky handle on the door to a chic bathroom brings a stylish, utilitarian edge.
Handles can be repurposed from other materials, including short lengths of old piping for a cool industrial look. This quirky handle on the door to a chic bathroom brings a stylish, utilitarian edge.
4. Install an antique
This door dates from Tudor times and has been salvaged and fitted in a renovated cottage. The ironwork handle is original too, and has the pleasing, soft patina of a piece touched and used for centuries.
Recycled doors open up a world of charm
This door dates from Tudor times and has been salvaged and fitted in a renovated cottage. The ironwork handle is original too, and has the pleasing, soft patina of a piece touched and used for centuries.
Recycled doors open up a world of charm
5. Look for leather
Handles should feel great when gripped, as well as looking beautiful. Leather makes a tactile alternative to metal and feels warm and soft to the touch. Thick leather straps, secured at each end, will bow naturally into a handle shape too.
Handles should feel great when gripped, as well as looking beautiful. Leather makes a tactile alternative to metal and feels warm and soft to the touch. Thick leather straps, secured at each end, will bow naturally into a handle shape too.
6. Enhance existing features
If your door is embellished with carvings, colour or panels, find a handle that complements this detail. The long, elegant shape of this ornate design is beautifully in keeping with the classic wooden door frame alongside it, helping enhance those vertical lines.
If your door is embellished with carvings, colour or panels, find a handle that complements this detail. The long, elegant shape of this ornate design is beautifully in keeping with the classic wooden door frame alongside it, helping enhance those vertical lines.
7. Give it some front
Handles that face the elements and sit on the entrance to the house deserve to stand proud. Opt for chunky, bold or oversized designs for your front door and reserve more dainty or ornate handles for inside.
How to create a welcoming entry
Handles that face the elements and sit on the entrance to the house deserve to stand proud. Opt for chunky, bold or oversized designs for your front door and reserve more dainty or ornate handles for inside.
How to create a welcoming entry
8. Embellish your bedroom
A pretty handle particularly suits rooms that receive less traffic in and out of them, so look out for a design that does double duty as a work of art. For example, try something delicate and dainty on your bedroom door, like this tree handle.
A pretty handle particularly suits rooms that receive less traffic in and out of them, so look out for a design that does double duty as a work of art. For example, try something delicate and dainty on your bedroom door, like this tree handle.
9. Invite nature in
Add a touch of natural beauty to your doors with handles shaped like animals, birds or plants. This pair of woodpecker handles perched on wardrobe doors is beautiful, unexpected and witty.
Add a touch of natural beauty to your doors with handles shaped like animals, birds or plants. This pair of woodpecker handles perched on wardrobe doors is beautiful, unexpected and witty.
10. Tool up
In addition to using salvaged materials, try repurposing tools as handles. A spanner adds the perfect down-to-earth note to this rustic bathroom.
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Share your thoughts on these beautiful door handles in the Comments below.
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In addition to using salvaged materials, try repurposing tools as handles. A spanner adds the perfect down-to-earth note to this rustic bathroom.
TELL US
Share your thoughts on these beautiful door handles in the Comments below.
MORE
Get a Grip On Handles and Knobs from Classy to Brassy
What’s Your Door Knob and Handle Style?
Is a Handleless Kitchen Right for You?
Add a playful note to your kitchen by fitting a door handle made from a utensil. This rolling pin looks great as a sturdy but smooth handle. Perhaps a wooden spoon, ladle or fork would work well too?
Discover how to add even more personality to your kitchen