Brass knobs are a popular choice, but may not suit your particular surroundings.
Although those who aren't home-owners may not understand, choosing a simple door knob can seem like a daunting task because of all the finishes and metals there are to choose from. However, the task gets a bit easier when you think of your surroundings and not just the knob itself.
Instructions
1. Look at the color of the door when determining what finish to have on your doorknob. Think of contrasting shades to your door. For example, if the door is , don't choose a dark bronze door knob, as it would blend in with the door too much. Instead, consider lighter finishes.
2. Look at nearby outdoor metals, such as your porch light. Decide if you'd like to match the metal of your doorknob to the metals that are nearby outside. Keep the color of your door in mind, as well. If is dark brown and your porch lamp is a dark pewter, for example, you may wish to choose a finish that contrasts with both the dark shade of the door but that also complements the porch lamp, such as a light chrome, which is still silver metallic, but not dark.
3. Take the nearby indoor metals into consideration as well. Decide if you'd like to match the metal of the indoor side of the knob to the interior metals, such as your kitchen cabinet handles or picture frames.
4. Consider painting your door if the interior or outdoor metals conflict with the color of the door and won't allow you to choose the doorknob that you like. Remember that a doorknob and a door should go hand-in-hand, and you don't have to compromise. Keep in mind that you can feel free to paint the door on one side and not on the other, since one doesn't see both at one time.
5. Consider the weather conditions if your doorknob is going to be outside. Certain metals, like brass, can rust in rain, while others, like chrome, will last for years without rusting. Write down any potential problems.
6. Consider the maintenance of your doorknob. If you have children, you may want to choose brushed finishes over polished finishes, because polished metals show more fingerprints and are harder to keep clean.
7. Visit your local hardware store with your notes and thoughts. Bring samples of other metals from home, such as a cabinet handle or small picture frame, with you to compare with doorknob finishes.
8. Ask a professional at the store, since they see different customers every day going through the same decision making process, they may be able to help tell you more about each metal, what it pairs nicely with and what it clashes with.
Tags: your door, your doorknob, color door, dark brown,