Door knobs have an aesthetic as well as utilitarian purpose. They not only ensure access and privacy, but they also complement the overall theme and decor of the home. Whether you’re buying new hardware or replacing an existing set, you’ll want to make sure that your choice is both high quality and matches the architectural style of your home.
Since there are literally hundreds of options out there, narrowing them down can be a little daunting. In this blog, the door hardware specialists at Access Residential Hardware highlight what we consider to be the 15 best door knobs. They cover a wide range of styles, from sleek and modern to vintage and elaborate, all of which reflect the most popular architectural styles today.
Keyed Door Knobs
Keyed door knobs ensure security and privacy, making them a recommended option for exterior doors as well as home offices and other indoor spaces where you want to limit access.
Emtek Petal Key in Knob
The Emtek Petal Key in Knob is part of this leading manufacturer’s Tuscany Bronze collection, which features floral-inspired details and a bronze base material, and is manufactured using the ancient art of Lost Wax casting. With its intricate detail, this keyed knob is an asset to vintage-inspired homes. Available in Flat Black Bronze or Medium Bronze Patina finish and three choices of equally classic rosette styles.
Baldwin Bethpage Knob
The Baldwin Bethpage Knob is made from solid forged brass for maximum durability. The oval knob design and finely detailed rose suit most indoor themes that incorporate fine lines and classic elegance. Available in the following finishes: lifetime polished brass, non-lacquered brass, oil-rubbed bronze, Venetian bronze, satin nickel, polished chrome, vintage brass, and satin black.
Schlage Orbit Knob
Featuring a strong, spherical shape and an uncomplicated design, the Schlage Orbit Knob has a minimalist style evocative of Mid-Century and Bauhaus architectural trends, making it an excellent choice for homes with understated elegance. Pair it with a Century, Collins, or Standard Kinsler trim for a different effect. Available in the following finishes: satin nickel, bright brass, bright chrome, and satin chrome.
Yale YH Bridgeport Knob
This spherical Yale YH Bridgeport Knob offers a classic design with a Grade 2 commercial quality lock. The smooth and uninterrupted appearance makes it compatible with most homes with a Mid-Century design style. Rosette options include YH Traditional, Oval, and Standard, so you can customize the appearance to match your decor. Available in the following finishes: satin nickel and polished brass.
Emtek Victoria Keyed Style
If your interior design is evocative of the antique Victorian / Belle Epoque style, this Emtek Victoria Keyed Style door knob will fit right in. With its intricate detail and oval Victoria knob, it will make a memorable impression on visitors accustomed to more understated decor. Available in the following finishes: oil-rubbed bronze, satin nickel, French antique, lifetime polished brass, and unlacquered brass.
Interior Door Knobs
With interior door knobs, you have a choice of privacy or passage types. A privacy door knob can be locked from the inside so outsiders cannot gain entry while passage knobs are non-locking and can be opened from either side.
Emtek Modern Disc Crystal Knob
The Emtek Modern Disc Crystal Knob is an award-winning classic. This stylish handle has a flat circular shape with a sleek, sophisticated look. With its smooth and glamorous design, it’s equally at home in both traditional and avant-garde homes. Your choices of rosette include Disc, Modern, Neos, and Quincy. Available in the following finishes: oil-rubbed bronze, satin nickel, flat black, polished chrome, satin brass, lifetime polished brass, and unlacquered brass.
Baldwin Contemporary Knob
The Baldwin Contemporary Knob is made of solid forged brass with a trim silhouette, giving it a heavyweight but high-end appearance that will complement most modern homes. Pair it with a contemporary round or square rose for smoother or sharper edges. Available in the following finishes: satin nickel, Venetian bronze, satin black, polished chrome, satin brass, and polished nickel.
Schlage Siena Knob
The Schlage Siena Knob has a design inspired by Federal-style homes found throughout the United States, especially in the Midwest. It has an oval shape, making it easy to use and open, and its Standard Alden trim adds to its understated elegance. Available in the following finishes: bright brass, antique brass, satin nickel, antique pewter, matte black, bright chrome, satin chrome, and aged bronze.
Yale YH Oxford Knob
The Yale YH Oxford Knob has a round, traditional design that fits in with most residential themes. The classic appearance is reminiscent of its mid-19th-century roots. Rosette styles include Traditional, Modern, Flat Square, Oval, and Standard, making this particular knob easy to customize for different environments. Available in the following finishes: satin nickel and oil-rubbed bronze.
Emtek Hampton Knob
The Emtek Hampton Knob has a unique egg shape. Whether you need to ground a traditional space or add a touch of tradition to your modern home, this type of ‘egg knob’ looks great and is easy to use. Available rosette styles range from square and rectangular to round and oval, so you’re guaranteed to find an option to complement your rooms. Available in the following finishes: Flat Black Bronze Patina, Medium Bronze Patina, and Tumbled White Bronze.
Schlage Bell Knob
The Schlage Bell Knob has a classic simplicity that makes it a fixture in Mid-Century Modern homes, especially those built before 1980. If your goal is a simple vintage look, this door knob will fit right in with the rest of your interior design. The Standard Kinsler trim supports its clean lines. Available in the following finishes: bright brass, satin chrome, and antique brass.
Baldwin 5073 Knob
The Baldwin 5073 Knob has a unique octagonal ‘stop sign’ shape that hints at creativity while its simple, uncluttered surface would also make it an asset in traditional home environments. The 5046 rose has a round shape that doesn’t detract from the unique knob. Available in the following finishes: oil-rubbed bronze, satin nickel, satin black, polished chrome, and Venetian bronze.
Emtek Select, Conical Knurled Knob
The Emtek Select, Conical Knurled Knob has a smooth face and textured edges, making it reminiscent of old-style appliance buttons. However, the sleek finishes give it a decidedly modern look. Pair with a Wilshire or Quincy rosette for a vintage feel or be more contemporary with a Disk or Urban Modern style. Available in the following finishes: oil-rubbed bronze, satin nickel, flat black, polished chrome, satin brass, unlacquered brass, and polished nickel.
Schlage Bowery Knob
The Schlage Bowery Knob has clean lines that give it both a traditional and futuristic feel. Taking its cues from mid-century modern design, the Bowery knob is a stylish addition to Schlage's contemporary collection. Choose from a Century, Greyson, or Standard Kinsler trim. Available in the following finishes: satin nickel, flat black, satin brass, polished nickel, matte black, bright chrome, satin chrome, and aged bronze.
Schlage Plymouth Knob
The Schlage Plymouth Knob reflects the Federal-style structures popular during the Colonial Era. It is exceptionally simplistic, making it a good match for a wide variety of tastes. Choose from an Andover, Camelot, or Standard Kinsler decorative trim. Available in the following finishes: bright brass, antique brass, satin nickel, antique pewter, matte black, bright chrome, satin chrome, and aged bronze.
Door Knobs vs Door Levers
If you’ve been looking for new door knobs, you may have come across door levers as well. Levers are a great choice for doors that don’t allow locks with deeper cases, and their longer, more diverse back plate styles can support more functions, such as keyholes or bathroom ‘turn and release’ features. While you can buy a door knob with a longer plate, they aren’t as common.
The only potential downside is that door levers are a comparatively modern product, so if you’ve got an older home, they may not blend into their surroundings as well. They also require more maintenance over their lifetime than door knobs because they contain springs that hold their handles in the horizontal position, and a lapse in maintenance can cause them to droop. However, in the right surroundings and with proper care, they can be an excellent choice for your interior spaces.
Find Your Home’s New Door Knobs Here
The door knob has come a long way since inventor Osbourn Dorsey patented a ‘door-closing device’ in 1878. Although its primary purpose remains utilitarian, it also comes in a variety of designs and finishes that add to the overall harmony and consistency of your home’s decor.
At Access Residential Hardware, we sell door knobs from top-of-the-line manufacturers such as Baldwin, Emtek, Schlage, and Yale. They include keyed varieties that secure your home while hinting at its indoor style to interior models that give your rooms a traditional, vintage, or luxurious flair. Please check out our website to see what we have available, and if you have questions or need help, please call 866.752.9002, or fill out this contact form and we’ll respond promptly!