Right before we installed the hardwood floors upstairs, we mentioned how we painted all of the blue trim and doors. The doors looked fresh and bright, but they were still waiting for new knobs.
We’ve experimented with oil-rubbed bronze finishes before, but many of the original knobs upstairs were badly rusted, pitted, or even jammed so they wouldn’t turn or lock. Given that, replacing the hardware made more sense than trying to salvage everything.
Replacing the knobs and hinges was a lot more budget-friendly than replacing whole doors: the doors themselves are in great shape and look brand new with a glossy white paint, so new knobs and contractor-pack hinges from the hardware store gave us the fresh look for a fraction of the cost of new doors.
When shopping for knobs we had two goals: choose something classic that would suit the style of the house, and choose something a little special so the hardware would feel like a thoughtful detail rather than an afterthought. We looked at a bunch of options, from white porcelain and crystal-embellished knobs to satin nickel and traditional oil-rubbed bronze styles. Some choices were more ornate, others very simple and modern. Price mattered too—several of the fancier options would have pushed the total cost well into the thousands for all of the upstairs doors.
We were drawn to the contrast of rich, mocha-toned hardwood floors, crisp white doors and trim, and darker hardware. That high-contrast, classic look felt perfect for this house. We also liked the interest a rectangular or square backplate adds behind a knob; it elevates a basic piece of hardware into a small design moment that reads a bit more custom.
After narrowing down our options, we chose one style for the bedrooms and a complementary style for the bathrooms. The bedroom knobs had a rectangular plate behind the knob, which helped tie the look together through subtle repetition of lines and finish. For the bathrooms we selected a similar finish without the center hole present on some of the other sets — small differences that help the rooms feel coordinated while still being practical. For closets we opted for the less expensive, non-locking versions to keep costs sensible.
Before checking out, we searched for a valid coupon code and found a 10% discount plus free shipping, which shaved a little off the total. Small savings like that add up when you’re outfitting an entire floor.
We hope the new knobs will complete the upstairs transformation and enhance the fresh-yet-classic vibe we were aiming for. The dark hinges are already installed, so once the knobs arrive the look will be cohesive and finished.
It’s wild to think that just a few weeks ago the upstairs hallway looked entirely different. Even though I once felt like the old carpet and blue trim were permanently etched into my memory, switching finishes and fixtures quickly changes how a space feels. That’s why before photos are so valuable: they preserve the starting point so you can appreciate how much has changed.
Note: none of the links mentioned previously were affiliate links.
Update – Want to find something we used or see paint colors? Check our shopping page for details and sources for items around the house.
