Change your antique door handles easily! 

Don't hesitate any longer — replace your antique handles!

Do you love the antique handles in your home but need to replace them because they are too worn or no longer work properly? How can you replace your antique handles with new ones without losing the retro look of your doors? 

We have unearthed some real gems for you: recent handles with a vintage look that will easily replace your antique handles! Iron, bronze or brass handles will restore character to your rustic doors. 

The antique door handle is the ideal functional decorative accessory for creating a unique atmosphere ranging from retro to vintage, as well as contemporary style. You can hunt for them in antique markets or take advantage of the many models inspired by antique handles offered by modern door hardware suppliers.

Whether in wrought iron, brass or porcelain, the antique door handle adds style to your interior décor: paired with Louis XV furniture, the handle becomes ultra-classic; fitted on a raw wood door, it turns rustic; screwed onto a designer door, it goes vintage!

Antique handles have style 

This small piece of decorative hardware, made up of a few simple components (backplate, square spindle, lever, fixing screws), does not only serve to open and close doors! It contributes to spreading style throughout our interiors:

    * retro style: on a raw wood door opening onto a vintage living room, the antique handle takes on a retro feel

    * classic style: fitted on the door of a Louis XV-style study, the copper or golden antique handle becomes classic

    * designer style: paired with modern furniture, antique handles accentuate the designer aspect of your contemporary or vintage-inspired décor.

The style achieved depends on pairing antique handles with furniture that can be rustic or even contemporary! Play on contrasts of styles (retro handle paired with modern furniture) or, on the contrary, go for a total antique look (antique door knobs and furniture knobs for a rustic kitchen…).

The specific shapes of antique interior handles

The antique door handle covers several types of models: 

    * the handle on a long backplate (classic handle with a lever latch backplate, or with a key lock or WC-type privacy bolt)

     * the knob handle (the handle is operated by turning the knob) 

    * the handle on a rose (designers create a rose that holds the lever (instead of the long backplate), to be completed with the rose featuring a locking mechanism (key lock or bolt))

      * the bâton de maréchal (a pull handle used on exterior shop doors)

     * furniture handles (some ranges extend all the way to furniture knobs to match all the handles on every opening!)

Let us look at some examples of antique handles made from different materials and available in various finishes.

Antique iron door handle

Wrought iron is the traditional material for antique door handles. 

Ref iron handle 271 oval rust colour

This rust-coloured handle is an excellent illustration of the charm of antique style! The volute forming the lever of this interior door handle is truly elegant. This vintage-looking model suits every room in the house, from the living room entrance door to the kitchen door. 

Ref black iron door knob 254

Another type of door handle, the knob handle is also of antique inspiration. In iron or white porcelain, the door knob is making a strong comeback in our contemporary homes by adopting more unexpected shapes.

This black finish door knob is particularly vintage. Its thin diamond-shaped plate set vertically accentuates the angular shape of the handle. Its two visible fixing screws underline its authentic character.

Ref iron window handle 1200R

Door hardware is designed to dress not only our designer doors but also our windows and French doors. Here is a window handle with an antique design: the matt black finish highlights its aesthetics and understated elegance. 

Antique bronze door handle

Bronze is a quality raw material naturally associated with antique handles.

Bronze door handle ref 1928 raw metal finish

The textured surface with an aged patina and the simplicity of the overall shape make this model an exceptional antique handle. It brings together in one piece the hallmarks of antique style and vintage: raw finish, ergonomics, simplicity of form…

This understated handle is equally suited to a rustic kitchen and to a vintage living room where antique furniture sits alongside modern accessories.

Ref vertical bronze handle PHTT 40 polished raw bronze finish

An old-style handle can be original too! The vertical position of the plate, the handle operable like a door knob, and its design make it irresistible. The polished raw bronze colour accentuates the authentic character of this atypical antique handle. 

Antique brass door handle 

Italian door handle on backplate - Ref Mandelli Lord

The patina of the polished brass gives this golden interior door handle the charm and elegance of bygone days. The fine engravings adorning the ends of the backplate and highlighting the curves of the lever add to the retro style of this select handle.

The key lock ensures the privacy of your bedroom or study.

Elegant chrome door handle on round brass rose - Ref Mandelli Aurora

The polished chrome finish of this retro door handle brings all the originality to this model. One might imagine antique door handles in gold, copper or rust finishes, but more rarely in chrome finishes. The antique character of this handle comes from its design, its finely chiselled round rose and the lever with elegant ridges.

Antique rococo-style handle in yellow brass - Ref Enrico Cassina

This yellow brass handle is absolutely beautiful! An old-style rococo handle, with an abundance of chiselled decorations, it brings elegance to a chic living room!

Antique porcelain door handle

Decorative hardware appreciates accessories made from porcelain. White porcelain or porcelain painted with fine floral motifs decorates furniture door knobs as well as the round or oval knob handles found in homes of yesteryear.

Ref Mandelli Paros (Milla Handles boutique)

The combination of the golden finish of satin brass with the white porcelain lever is a total success! The designers pair two quality materials: ceramic with marbled reflections and solid brass, lending sophistication and elegance to your antique oak or raw wood doors. The long backplate with key function enhances the classic look of the handle by dressing the keyhole.

You've got it! Replacing an antique handle is no longer a problem, thanks to the variety of different models offered by modern door hardware! Interior handles, handles for entrance doors with a recessed lock, pull handles for exterior doors, furniture knobs, furniture handle or espagnolettes are available in all finishes (gold, chrome, black, bronze, rust...) and made from modern materials such as zamak (a recyclable zinc and aluminium alloy). You can even enhance the antique feel of your exterior doors by adding a classic-style door knocker to your rust-coloured handle!  

Don't hesitate to change your handles — all the more so as it is technically within everyone's reach! No need to call a locksmith! A flat or cross-head screwdriver and a bit of wrist strength are enough to unscrew and refit your door furniture. If needed, watch this video tutorial on the easy installation of handles on your doors.

NB. All selected models are available at Milla Handles, the specialist in designer handles and antique handles!