The different types of interior handles

WHAT TYPE OF DOOR HANDLES TO CHOOSE?

Far from being a mundane piece of decorative hardware, reduced to opening and closing doors, the door handle is modernising and becoming a real decorative item that is very practical for giving the designer touch to your interior. Easy to install (check the centres, choose the backplate or rose if you need a lock), the interior handle will be your ally for decoration without DIY!

The shapes are no longer exclusively rectangular and the materials used such as brass or stainless steel are increasingly luxurious. Door handles have become essential accessories for updating or modernising your interior doors at low cost.

Before embarking on a development project, it's worth becoming familiar with the different models of interior door handles available to you.

Everything you need to know about the different types of handles for interior doors

The lever door handle

The lever door handle is the most common model. Elongated in shape, the lever allows the door to open and close by pressing the hand from top to bottom. There are various types of fixing for the lever handle. With the centres being standard and the lock integrated, you can install it without difficulty on all your interior or exterior doors.

The lever handle on classic longitudinal backplate

The traditional door handle par excellence! The rectangular backplate, often chrome or polished brass, not only serves to fix the handle but also plays a role in maintaining the door's cleanliness by avoiding possible finger smudges.

This classic model is the most common in our interiors as its installation is quick (the centres being often standardised) but many other options are available to you! Indeed, the interior handle on rectangular backplate becomes more discreet and adopts a more contemporary style...

The lever handle on rose

The longitudinal backplate fades away to open up the creative space for designers. On their original-shaped bases, the levers become the centre of all attention. 

The door handle on rose is the more modern alternative to the handle on rectangular backplate. With identical operation, its escutcheon is more discreet. It offers a much wider choice of style as it breaks free from the classic longitudinal shape to adopt several other forms: round, square, oval or rectangular. The handle can be accompanied by its matching keyhole escutcheon in identical finish.

The lever handle on concealed backplate

The backplate disappears completely to reveal only the avant-garde design of the handle. A minimalist model for an ultra-stylish result. The finish will then take on its full importance in creating your designer interior: satin stainless steel, aged brass or solid bronze will perfectly enhance a wooden door or entrance door.  

The lever handle without backplate

The ultimate evolution of the lever handle, the handle without backplate is fixed only by the central spindle. Its quick installation requires minimal tools. The interior handle is in direct contact with the door and appears completely streamlined. The black lacquer finish will make the kitchen door a modern door.

The door knob 

Traditionally rounded in shape, the door knob works by turning to the side to open or close the door. Having fallen out of fashion, this handle is making a strong comeback in our interiors. Numerous finishes with contemporary design have indeed brought it back into style. Classic white porcelain sits alongside black zamak. White lacquer gives a contemporary decorative touch. The knob adopts varied shapes and is no longer only oval but becomes square or octagonal. The ideal type of handle to mount as a furniture handle, the door knob can also be installed on a French window.

The recessed handle

Adapted to sliding and pocket doors, the recessed handle (or flush pull) comes in different modern finishes. The sliding opening and closing system requires only minimal space. Solid brass will form a perfect alliance on a wooden sliding door. The aesthetics of satin gold stainless steel will add a contemporary touch. Integrated into the door, it operates by simple sliding. Even recessed on a cupboard, it contributes to decorating the door, giving it a very trendy finish.

The pull handle

The pull handle is a wonderful decorative ally. Offered in solid brass or stainless steel, in gold or chrome finish, the pull handle dresses a shop swing door, a house entrance door or the sliding door of your kitchen! Available as a furniture handle, this handle becomes ultra trendy for your designer interior!

Set or half set?

As a general rule, handles are offered in pairs with a double lever or knob, on backplate or on rose. This is what is called a set (the fixing screws and, where applicable, the cylinder for the privacy system are included with the accessories).

However, to meet decoration requirements, you may need a handle in a different style on each side of the door: a wood-finish handle for the bedroom side and a black handle for the corridor side! In this case, you need to opt for a half set, i.e. a single interior handle with a single escutcheon. Be careful to check the correct installation direction of the handle (left or right).

Finishes with ultra-contemporary design

The interior door handle is modernising and comes in all styles, from classic to the most modern. The shapes are increasingly ergonomic and diversified. Some handles are even fluorescent!

The materials used add a luxurious touch to the design of contemporary models. In addition to bronze, ceramic or wood, zamak (an alloy of zinc, aluminium, magnesium and copper), nylon, nickel, porcelain or even brass (an alloy of copper and zinc) are chosen for their aesthetics and durability. Stainless steel is perfectly suited to kitchen or bathroom doors. Wrought iron is rather intended for exterior door handles such as entrance door or garage door handles.

Finally, for finishes, you can choose between shiny chrome, matt nickel, polished, white lacquer, matt black, rust, gold, anthracite, antique bronze or even brushed stainless steel... but also from bright colours such as blue, lemon yellow or scarlet red! 

As you will have understood: door handles and knobs are becoming beautiful to take centre stage! You have a wide range of door hardware to dress the modern kitchen door or the original bedroom door.

To perfect your interior décor, don't hesitate to match the door handle to that of your furniture: you'll easily find the brass furniture handle or the bronze furniture knob in the same finish!

It's up to you to choose the type of door handle that will best integrate into your interior décor!