Right before we installed the hardwood floors upstairs, we mentioned how we sprayed all of the blue trim and doors upstairs here…
… but they’re now naked when it comes to knobs.
We’re no strangers to ORBing things like we did here, but a lot of the doors here were rusted and pitted and some were even jammed/didn’t turn/didn’t lock.
So in this case, it really makes sense for us to replace them with something befitting of our freshly painted six panel doors. On one hand, it was a bummer to have to shell out loot for new knobs, but on the other hand the doors are in awesome shape and look like new with glossy white paint on them- so it’s a lot easier on the budget to just get new knobs (and hinges, which Home Depot sells in bulk “contractor packs”) than to replace all of the doors themselves.
I think we were aiming for two things when it came to our knob hunt: something classic (to work with our house’s style) and something special (we thought it was a fun opportunity to choose something you don’t see every day). So here are a few of the knobs that we courted, so to speak:
- This $56 white porcelain knob with a pewter stem
- This dark-toned $108 antique-ish knob
- This $73 chrome knob with a square plate
- This $35 oil-rubbed bronze knob with a rectangular plate behind it
- This $90 oil rubbed bronze & crystal one
- This $109 plated knob
- This $105 egg-knob in polished chrome
- This $28 oblong ORBed one
- This $24 chrome knob
- This $30 satin nickel egg-knob
- This blinged out $97 crystal and satin nickel one
- This $16 classic oil-rubbed bronze knob
- This interestingly shaped $43 satin-nickel knob
- This dark-toned $30 lever knob
It definitely wasn’t an easy decision – we honestly thought almost any of them would work nicely – but in the end it came down to what we were drawn to most, and our budget of course (some of the pricier ones would have been 1K worth of knobs just for the upstairs!). We’ve been in love with the idea of rich mocha hardwood floors, white trim and doors, and dark knobs for a while – just because that classic high contrast look seems so perfect for this house. So that helped us eliminate a few. And when we came across inspiring photos like this one and this one, it was pretty clear to us that we loved the look of a rectangular plate behind the knob – just for the added interest that it brought.
In the end, we chose these $35 guys (#4 above) for the four bedrooms and these $24 ones for the two bathrooms (they’re similar to #12 but without a hole in the middle and in the same finish as the other knobs since they’re the same maker, so we thought that was worth it). Then we got the cheaper closet versions of those for the closets (many of which could be dummy knobs like this).
Oh and before checking out I googled around for a coupon code that took 10% off of our order and gave us free shipping. So that saved us some cash.
We hope the new knobs will add up to an entire upstairs floor with a fresh-yet-classic feeling. We already have the dark hinges up, so we’re just waiting on our doorknobs…
It’s crazy to think a few short weeks ago the upstairs hallway looked like this.
As much as I thought the old carpet and blue trim were burned into my mind, they’re like a distant memory now that we’re all moved in. It’s funny how quickly your brain adjusts when you update things. Maybe that explains my love of before pictures. They save the starting point forever so you can always look back and say “dude, remember that?!”
*Update: none of the links in this post are affiliate links (got a question about it, so I thought I’d add a little note for ya).
Update – Wanna know where we got something in our house or what paint colors we used? Just click on this button:
Shawna @DakotaCreekChic says
Great choice…cannot believe the transformation. Amazing!!
Corinne says
You don’t need my approval,but I think your knob choice is classic, thus long lasting and not too trendy. I am not old enough to be your parents, but close…I think it is so funny that I used to walk in to friends houses and see the blue trim and colonial window treatments and think “wow, gorgeous” I am glad I never copied the color trim trend…white moldings and doors usually never go out of style. I do have a window that is much in need of updated treatment currently dressed ala swags and jabots…maybe I’ll send you photos when I finally get around to it. In the meantime please don’t call the home décor police.
Jamie@AddSomeCharacter says
Love your choices for the knobs! Our new doors have been knob naked for a good 6 months. I didn’t realize old doors had smaller holes than the new ones so the backplates are too small! Thanks for sharing, I think I’m finally ready to forgive our new doors!
Pam says
What an incredible transformation! I’ve always wished that I was better at seeing the potential of things.
Brittany says
Olay, so I’m pretty sure you guys have heard of this already, I had but I forgot about it until last night. I know you both get so excited, but if you can wait and order stuff like the knobs online go through ebates (not a plug I swear). You get a gift card to homedepot or a few other places and you get money back for the purchase. I was just thinking this would totally help with all the upcoming house projects. Hope it does :D
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah I love ebates! I’ve used it a few times but for some reason I always forget about it! Thanks for the reminder!
xo
s
MK says
I love the dark hinges and knobs. Looks great!
This is my first time reading and so far I can’t stop. I have been going backwards and I am in love with your little family and all the hard work you two do. Very inspiring. Keep it up!! It’s great to find a local blog so popular. I grew up in Midlothian/Chesterfield area. Makes me like this even more!!! Thanks for the good reads and diy ideas!
MK
danielle says
just wondering – what made you order from the site you chose (i know you mentioned there is no affiliate to the site) b/c a quick google search comes up with those knobs $5 cheaper on another site with free shipping and a coupon code?
YoungHouseLove says
I think prices change a lot even on a day to day basis (ex: when I searched around, nothing was $5 cheaper anywhere else) but I’ve also heard good things about myknobs.com (easy return policy, fast shipping, things as promised, nothing arrives broken) so I pounced.
xo
s
danielle says
that makes sense…i wasn’t intentionally trying to come across as one of those conspiracy theorists and question your motives haha…i re-read what i wrote and saw that it sounded like that. LOL
YoungHouseLove says
No worries at all! It’s so funny how every day prices jump around like that!
xo
s
JenWoodhouse.com says
#6 is my favorite, but at $100+ a pop, your #4 choice was a good compromise. Picking out hardware and lighting is like picking out jewelry for your house. So fun!
Alicia says
Our house has original knobs (from 1941) that look very similar to #4. My jaw dropped when I saw they cost $109. Two summers ago we carefully removed ours, peeled off 70 years of paint (some lead-based) and spray painted them Rustoleum ORB. Many of our neighbors have just chucked the hardware and doors to buy new, prefabricated doors and hardware. I did what I did for aesthetic reasons, but had no idea we were preserving something so expensive. Dang!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s awesome!
xo
s
betty says
i’m slowing swithing out all my knobs to your ‘closet and bathroom’ knobs! loveeee the ORB on white doors! i’m actually more in love with your ‘bedroom’ knobs, but couldnt find any to where i wasnt breaking the bank! i might have to get these guys and speed the process up!
Marcy says
Love the oil rubbed bronze look in my house too but I worry now that it will soon become dated, a la the shiny gold brass of the 80’s:(
YoungHouseLove says
I think dark finishes like cast iron and black/ORB fall into the classic category since they have been around for a nice long time (there have been black metal items like fireplace screens, chair legs, and door hardware for decades) so they seem safe to me. You never know though…
xo
s
Sayre says
One of the houses from my early childhood had crystal knobs throughout. The whole house was like a fairy tale cottage and we loved it, but outgrew it quickly (my mom had LOTS of babies). We sold the house to a woman who spent one night in it and put it up for sale again because she said it was haunted. In the back bedroom was a strange light that would move from time to time. We knew, but she didn’t – that was light reflecting down the hall from the streetlight out front – bouncing back and forth between the door knobs!
Paula M. says
Great story!! :)
… How bizarre, though, that she thought it was haunted. Wonder if that same effect could be the genesis of ghost legends at other residences over the years?
Rae says
Out of curiosity, do you just google search for coupons or do you have a go to site you check?
I have been using ebates.com because I can find coupons and get a small % cash back, and its free to sign up and use.
Many before buying anything and after researching I check ebates to see if I can find the same thing but with a coupon/freeshipping/cashback. The extra moola then goes into my kiddos savings account and I think we have found some great deals…I’m just wondering are there other/better sites to check too?
YoungHouseLove says
I just google the site’s name and the words “coupon code” and “discount code” – so for this I searched myknobs.com discount code and up it came.
xo,
s
Ashley S says
Sometimes I feel bad for the people that you buy your houses from. If I were them, I’d be kicking myself thinking “Look what we could have done!!!” The before/after photo of the hallway would make me cry, wondering why we tolerated loose carpet and blue trim.
And good choice on the door knobs! We have a couple of the #14 style in our house, and my sisters dog has learned how to open the doors. Our front door is that style, and he lets himself into the house before she can even finish getting out of the car.
Scottgirl says
Hi. Relatively new to your site and first-time commenter :-)
We too have a house full of trim/doors (almost 20!) with awful trim. Old-lady mauve trim to be exact. Also, old-lady mauve bathrooms, bedrooms, closet doors … I digress.
I dearly want to paint all the doors and replace the hardware — exactly as you’ve done here, but when the doors were painted previously, they weren’t sanded or primed and so the mauve paint can be peeled off just by putting some scotch tape on it (a fact I found out because we have to boys with a scotch-tape fetish).
At any rate, give the shape this mauve paint is in, I’m wondering if there is a primer we can use that won’t require sanding each and every door?
Thanks all. Love your site. So much inspiration.
YoungHouseLove says
Primer is only as strong as the surface you put it on, so since its so peely I think you’ll have to sand first. So sorry!
xo,
s
Deana says
Love number four. That was my first choice. We live in a hundred year old house, and all of our doors have that dark back plate and round knobs. Love reading about the new house, my only hope for change with our current (and forever) house is decluttering.
Amanda says
What a great choice! The before and after pictures just amaze me! I have to say, I’ve been on the home search for some time trying to decide to “fix-up” a hidden gem or find the “ready-to-go” perfect fit, and your blog has truly inspired me to look beyond what the eye immediately sees. I can’t wait to see the transformation of your new home! Thank you so much for sharing your talent and being such an inspiration for fellow and future DIY-ers!
Lindsay says
I’m partial to #5. It’s what I have in my home and I get so many compliments! That’s right, door knob compliments!
Erin says
Awesome choices! #4 was my favorite as soon as I saw it. I have some similar ones that are way older in my house, and I want to get more of these to make them all consistent. I just moved into a place that needs a lot of love, so your blog has been great!
Erin
Jennifer says
Imagine how much more the last homeowners could have asked for a similar change in the paint and carpet???????? WOW! Already a beautiful transformation guys!
gina says
is it weird that the proudest moment of my day today was in guessing exactly correctly the two knobs that you would choose? arms in the air, proudest moment.
i’m personally partial to #3 and #4…
Allison says
Love the doorknobs you picked!
Are you planning on using the paint sprayer for the walls too?
YoungHouseLove says
Those will get rolled down the line (once we figure out what colors we want, etc).
xo
s
Holly says
No. 13 looks like it’s going to tell Alice something about a white rabbit…haha!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha!
xo
s
Julianne says
Without looking at any prices you had listed, I looked at all those and picked out #4 and #9 as my favorites…and you picked them! Hooray! I LOVE #4 especially!
We are loving watching this transition of your new home!
Julianne says
Whoops…you didn’t pick #9…yeah. I’m not sure where my brain thought you did. But anyway, I still love #4 and hooray for that!
ashley says
Yea! I picked the same two!!!
My true favorite was #4 (so classic-looks original), but I also thought the other one you picked was cute (and I liked the price on both of them as well)!
megan says
ok when do we get a house tour!!! I know you just moved in…but I can see ( not being a creeper I promise!! haha) that your room is at least semi set up!! Also the rugs are amazing! where are you getting them??
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks! We did a Day One post if you scroll back a bit that show most rooms looking rough right after moving and will share updates of each space as we go. As for where our rugs are from, that green one is from Joss & Main and the one in the living room is from a local outlet :)
xo,
s
megan says
oh, and of course the knobs are AMAZING, great pick!!
Kaely says
I love the knobs you picked. We switched out all the knobs in our house a few years ago and I was amazed at the difference it made. Our looks a little bit like #6, but with a white enameled knob and they have fake key holes in the back plate (which was the detail that sold me on). We painted under the plate with black paint to give it the illusion of being a real key hole. I wish they were all mortise locks with skeleton keys, but that would have been going way overboard in our 1980’s condo that is not our forever house.
JanieP says
I hope you checked http://www.lookintheattic.com for your knob and hardware shopping! I have found great choices there every time!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip!
xo
s
Bailey says
I keep thinking about how pissed I’d be if I were the people who just moved OUT of that house. In a few weeks you’ve made it look soooooo much better than it was! If only they’d cared as much as you guys do!!
Sidebar, I cannot believe how expensive doorknobs are! There’s something I never ever would have thought would be a costly addition to a home! I love the ones you chose :)
xox
Bailey
http://akabailey.blogspot.com
Michelle Kersey says
Whoa. The Before/After pics…… whoa. Awesome job you guys!!!
Jenny B. says
LOVE those new knobs! :) Here’s a question… What do you think about switch plates… is it a place to add some bling, or should they fade into the background as much as possible? I’m not thinking about a 3-dimensional painted resin landscape of a lighthouse or anything, but maybe those white ones with a wooden beveled frame or the decorative brushed nickel types. Thoughts?
Oh, and P.S., every time I read the abbreviation ORB, I hear in my head, “You down with ORB? Yeah, you know me!” :)
YoungHouseLove says
White wood ones with a bevel sound nice! I think I like ones that fade in but if they look upscale while fading in I’m all for it!
xo
s
Becky says
We have the fancy #11 knobs and we got them in chrome. Love them!
Pamela Bertone says
Just saw your article in HGTV mag and completely enjoyed it!! I look forward to seeing what magic you create in your newest home (and seeing what ideas I can steal)! My goal is to invite you for a HouseCrash one day: we live on 5 acres in Culpeper County,VA, with a sweet lake in our backyard. Maybe when I get my son’s room (he attends VCU) converted to the mid-century modern/beach/island guest room :) Congrats and LOVE the blog.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much Pamela! We’d love to house crash you!
xo
s
Annie says
The door knobs are beautiful. For downstairs, how did you decide which doors got the back plates and which did not?
YoungHouseLove says
There are only three doors downstairs (all in the same room, the foyer) so we wanted them all to match since they’re so close, so they all got plates. The pantry in the kitchen was next to the garage door which is an exterior door (so it didn’t have a plate) so we went without a plate on the pantry door since it’s right next to that one.
xo
s
Winnie says
Hi John and Sherry,
Does the knob choice that you guys pick come with a back plate as well?
Winnie says
Oh! I found the answer in the product specification. Sorry!
Brian (Door Handle King) says
The door handles you choose were by far the most attractive, and looking at the prices they were very reasonable as well. Are they a solid bronze/brass?
Ron says
We’re looking at replacing our door knobs. Are you still happy with this choice of not being able to lock the doors without the hole in the knob for the emergency key?
YoungHouseLove says
There’s actually a hole in the backplate on the outside of the privacy knobs to unlock them, so a key goes into that. It’s nice to have a seamless handle but still have a way to unlock them in emergencies.
xo
s