Don’t Overlook the Door Handles

Don’t Overlook the Door Handles

Interior and exterior door furniture, such as fittings, handles, locks, and hinges, play a pivotal role in enhancing that vital first impression of your home. These seemingly small details can have a significant impact on both aesthetics and functionality. If chosen with care, door furniture can really elevate the look of your home. 

Interior and exterior door furniture are vital components of home design that should not be underestimated. It enhances the overall appeal of your home, creating a lasting impression on both residents and visitors. By choosing the right door hardware that aligns with your style and needs, you can elevate your home’s appearance and make it a more welcoming and functional space. 

Small details like door handles might seem insignificant when considered in isolation, but they play a pivotal role in a home redesign for several reasons:

1. First Impressions and Tactile Interaction: Door handles are among the first things people touch when they enter a room. Their design, feel, and function create an immediate impression. A well-chosen handle can evoke feelings of quality, care, and attention to detail. Conversely, a poorly chosen or worn-out handle can diminish an otherwise well-designed space.

2. Cohesiveness and Theme: Door handles and other small fixtures contribute significantly to the overall theme or style of a home. For example, vintage handles might be chosen for a retro theme, while sleek, minimalist handles might be preferred for a contemporary design. These details can either enhance or disrupt the overall aesthetic.

3. Functionality: Beyond aesthetics, the functionality of door handles is crucial. They need to be comfortable to grip, easy to use for all family members, and durable. Their placement and design can also influence accessibility, particularly for the elderly or those with physical disabilities.

4. Affordability of Impactful Change: Swapping out door handles or other small fixtures can be a relatively low-cost way to make a noticeable change in a space. For homeowners on a budget, updating these details can refresh a room without the need for a complete overhaul.

5. Resale Value: Prospective homebuyers often pay attention to details. Updated, stylish, and functional door handles can contribute to a positive perception of the overall maintenance and care given to a property, potentially influencing its resale value.

6. Safety and Security: Handles and locks go hand in hand. Ensuring that doors, especially entrance doors, have quality handles and locking mechanisms is critical for the safety and security of the home’s occupants.

7. Material and Finish: The choice of material and finish for door handles can also complement other design elements in a space. For instance, brass handles might complement light fixtures or faucets in the same finish, thereby creating a harmonious design flow.

8. Sustainability: With a growing emphasis on sustainability, the choice of eco-friendly materials and long-lasting design can be an essential factor in decision-making. A well-chosen, durable door handle reduces the need for frequent replacements, reducing waste.

This doesn’t just apply to simple home improvement jobs. Whether it’s the home, a commercial space or something much grander the design details should never be ignored and left to chance. 

Many famous architects and designers have specifically designed door handles as part of their broader design projects. Here are a few notable examples:

1. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe: The German-American architect and designer is known for his minimalist and modernist designs. He designed the iconic “Tugendhat” door handle, which is a simple, sleek, and elegant lever handle.

2. Walter Gropius: Another prominent figure in the modernist movement, Gropius designed door handles that reflect the principles of the Bauhaus school. His designs often feature geometric shapes and clean lines.

3. Frank Lloyd Wright: The renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright was known for his holistic approach to design, which often extended to door handles and hardware. His designs incorporate natural materials and organic forms.

4. Alvar Aalto: The Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto is famous for his contributions to Scandinavian design. He created door handles that were often made from bentwood or brass and had a distinct, sculptural quality.

5. Eero Saarinen: Saarinen, another Finnish-American architect, designed door handles that complemented his modernist architectural creations. His handles often featured smooth curves and a sense of timeless elegance.

6. Charles and Ray Eames: This American design duo is famous for their furniture designs, but they also worked on various architectural projects. They created door handles that blended functionality with aesthetics, often using materials like moulded plastic and metal.

7. Philippe Starck: A contemporary designer known for his eclectic and innovative designs, Philippe Starck has created unique door handles for various projects, including hotels and residences. His designs can range from minimalist to whimsical.

8. Norman Foster: The British architect Norman Foster has designed door handles for his architectural projects, which often reflect the sleek and modern aesthetic seen in his buildings.

9. Zaha Hadid: The late Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid was known for her avant-garde and futuristic designs. She also extended her design sensibilities to door handles, creating unique and sculptural pieces.

10. Antoni Gaudí, the iconic Catalan architect known for his distinctive Art Nouveau and Modernisme architectural style, applied his creative genius to even the smallest architectural details, including door handles. Gaudí’s door handles can be found in several of his renowned works, most notably in the Casa Batlló and the Sagrada Família in Barcelona and exhibit a whimsical and organic design sensibility that reflects his deep connection to nature.

These are just a few examples of famous architects and designers who have ventured into door handle design. The field of design is rich and diverse, with many creative minds contributing their unique perspectives to everyday objects like door handles.

So in summary, while door handles might seem like a minor detail, they contribute to the overall experience, functionality, and aesthetics of a home. In the context of a redesign, they are components that should be chosen with care, consideration and enthusiasm.

Guest Article.