There are plenty of decisions to make when renovating a house, some of which are big, and then there are the smaller decisions which often come down to personal taste. As someone who is renovating a house for the first time, you know that you want to replace all the hardware on your interior doors. The current hardware is old and dirty, so you know you want door hardware which is more contemporary and modern. However, you are having a hard time deciding whether to place knobs or levers on each of your doors. These two tips will help you to decide which style and finish work best with your renovation plans.

Knob Hardware Versus Lever Hardware

All door hardware is created equal, right? Well, that's not exactly true. While the difference between knob and lever hardware may seem to be all about personal preference, there are actually a couple of good reasons to choose one over the other. For example:

• levers are more modern looking than the traditional round knob so your intended renovation theme plays into this choice
• elderly house occupants and children find it easier to push down a lever than wrap their hands around a knob
• knobs are easier to fit with child-proof caps than levers are
• knobs can be used on doors which have left or right openings, but you need to buy the correct side lever depending on which way the door swings

Use these points to determine whether a knob or lever is the better choice for all the occupants in your house. Once you've decided on the type of door hardware, then you need to think about the finish.

The Perfect Finish

When it comes to hardware finish, you want to choose something that suits the renovation theme you are aiming for. For example, a brass finish is a lot more traditional looking than modern chrome or nickel finishes. But, if you like brass in your home, then you can buy hardware which has a satin brass finish. This has the traditional look of brass, but the satin coat gives a shinier, more modern appearance. Chrome and nickel are a modern choice due to their shine. As an added bonus, their shine allows light to bounce around the room which helps to keep a room bright.

If you are still having trouble choosing new door hardware for your renovation project, talk to your closest hardware supplier as they can give opinions on other options open to you.