{"title":"Door Handles","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDoor Handles Buying Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA door handle is often the first physical point of contact with a room, which gives it more influence over a space's character than its size suggests. A \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/door-levers\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Lever door handles\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eslim lever\u003c\/a\u003e can bring a more contemporary feel to a traditional hallway, while a \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Door knobs\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/door-knobs\" target=\"_blank\"\u003erounded knob\u003c\/a\u003e suits a cottage-style kitchen. Beyond the visual effect, a handle's finish and mechanism affect day-to-day usability and, on exterior doors, home security.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCore materials\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStainless steel\u003c\/strong\u003e is a corrosion-resistant alloy of iron, chromium and nickel, which forms a passive oxide layer that resists rust, making it well suited to humid bathrooms and coastal homes. This range includes marine-grade options for properties in high-salt-exposure environments\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSolid brass\u003c\/strong\u003e is a copper-zinc alloy that develops a patina over time as the surface reacts with air and handling, a natural, evolving finish rather than a flaw. Brass is also naturally antimicrobial, which makes it a practical choice for kitchens and bathrooms. Brass handles in this range are cold-forged, a process that retains the metal's structural integrity for long-term use\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eZinc alloy\u003c\/strong\u003e is lighter than solid brass or stainless steel, and its malleability allows for more intricate, detailed patterns, which is why it's commonly used in heritage and Victorian-style hardware reproductions. High-pressure die casting is used across this range to avoid the air bubbles and surface imperfections that can occur with lower-quality die-cast hardware\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFinishes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinish is often the first design decision made when choosing a door handle, since it needs to sit alongside the door's own material and the room's existing \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/taps\" title=\"Tapware at the blue space\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003etapware \u003c\/a\u003eor \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/lighting\" title=\"Lighting at the blue space\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003elighting\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGunmetal \u003c\/strong\u003eapplied via a PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) coating for scratch and fade resistance, brings a dark, industrial character that suits modern interiors and pairs well against glass or timber doors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChrome \u003c\/strong\u003etypically electroplated onto brass or stainless steel, gives a reflective, budget-friendly finish suited to transitional and contemporary interiors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrushed Nickel\u003c\/strong\u003e has a soft, matte texture that hides fingerprints and smudges more effectively than a polished finish, making it a practical choice for family homes and high-use areas like kitchens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSatin Brass\u003c\/strong\u003e is a muted, warm finish that suits earthy colour palettes, with its texture diffusing light rather than reflecting it directly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrushed Brass\u003c\/strong\u003e carries subtle grooves reminiscent of aged brass, suited to rustic or industrial interiors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMatte Black\u003c\/strong\u003e powder-coated for scratch resistance and UV-stable to prevent discolouration in sunlit rooms, brings strong contrast to a monochromatic colour scheme\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStyles for different interiors\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModern minimalist interiors favour slim profiles and concealed fixings, for a handle that reads as a continuous line rather than a separate object. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/sliding-door-handles\" title=\"Sliding door handles\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSliding door handles\u003c\/a\u003e paired with frameless glass, or recessed \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Pull Handles\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/pull-handles\" target=\"_blank\"\u003epull handles\u003c\/a\u003e on streamlined cabinetry, both reinforce this pared-back look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTraditional interiors suit more ornate detailing, floral engravings or a rounded knob silhouette, and this range includes reproduction Victorian and Art Deco designs made using lost-wax casting for historical accuracy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTransitional interiors sit between the two, and often work best by pairing one traditional and one contemporary element rather than committing fully to either. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/brushed-nickel-door-handles\" title=\"brushed nickel door handles\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBrushed nickel\u003c\/a\u003e levers on Shaker-style doors, or \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Brass door handles\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/brass-door-handles\" target=\"_blank\"\u003esatin brass\u003c\/a\u003e knobs alongside industrial-style lighting, are both common transitional pairings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eChoosing a handle by door type and function\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExterior door handles \u003c\/strong\u003eneed to withstand weather and resist forced entry. Look for anti-snap cylinders, which prevent a common lock-picking technique, and weather seals that protect the internal mechanism from rain and dust. Handles for \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Entrance door handles\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/entrance-door-hardware\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eentrance doors\u003c\/a\u003e should meet AS4145.2, the Australian Standard covering lock and handle security\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterior door handles\u003c\/strong\u003e prioritise comfort and quiet operation. Ergonomic lever shapes and soft-close mechanisms reduce noise, and pocket or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/sliding-door-handles\" title=\"Sliding door handles\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003esliding doors\u003c\/a\u003e are best suited to recessed pull handles that sit flush with the door face\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrivacy handles\u003c\/strong\u003e used on bathroom and bedroom doors, include a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/privacy-door-handles\" title=\"Privacy handles\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003elocking mechanism\u003c\/a\u003e, either a twist-and-turn lever or a push-button knob, for discreet security without a full keyed lock\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePassage handles\u003c\/strong\u003e are non-locking and are typically used on lounge rooms, laundries, and other \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/passage-door-handles\" title=\"Passage handles\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003einternal rooms\u003c\/a\u003e that don't need \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/privacy-door-handles\" title=\"Privacy handles\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eprivacy \u003c\/a\u003elocking\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDummy handles\u003c\/strong\u003e don't turn or latch at all, and are used on decorative panels, closets, or one side of a double door where only a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/dummy-door-handles\" title=\"Dummy handles\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003esingle functioning handle\u003c\/a\u003e is needed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCabinet handles\u003c\/strong\u003e are fixed (non-moving) handles used on drawers and cupboards rather than swinging doors, and are covered in more detail in The Blue Space's dedicated \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Cabinet handles collection\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/cabinet-handles\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCabinet Handles collection\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eInnovation in door hardware\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmart handles, such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/yale-door-handles\" title=\"Yale smart security door handles\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eYale's smart security range\u003c\/a\u003e, integrate with home automation systems via Bluetooth, allowing remote access from a smartphone, temporary access codes for guests, and automatic locking after a set period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSustainable hardware is an increasing focus in this category. Zanda, for example, uses recycled stainless steel in parts of its range, and GreenTag-certified stainless steel products are available within this collection for lower-impact material sourcing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eInstallation basics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGetting the measurements right before ordering avoids the most common fitting problems:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBackset \u003c\/strong\u003ethe standard Australian backset is 60mm, measured from the edge of the door to the centre of the handle spindle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDoor thickness\u003c\/strong\u003e most handles suit doors between 35mm and 45mm thick; thicker doors generally need a custom or extended spindle solution\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStrike plate alignment\u003c\/strong\u003e a misaligned strike plate is a common cause of a door sticking or not latching properly; recessing the plate flush with the door frame, using a chisel if needed, resolves this\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's worth temporarily fixing a new handle and testing its motion before final installation, adjusting screw tension to remove any wobble.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBrands in this collection\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Lane door handles\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/lane\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eLane \u003c\/a\u003efocuses on ergonomic, minimalist design, with rounded edges and weight-balanced levers intended to reduce wrist strain. \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Zanda door handles\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/zanda-door-hardware\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eZanda \u003c\/a\u003ecombines Scandinavian simplicity with precise manufacturing tolerances, suited to renovators wanting exact, consistent alignment across a full house of hardware. Manital handles are made in Italy using traditional finishing techniques, with corrosion resistance tested through extended salt spray testing. \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Nidus door handles\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/nidus-door-hardware\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eNidus \u003c\/a\u003euses a modular design approach, allowing levers and backplates to be mixed and matched, or replaced individually rather than as a full set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/momo-handles\" title=\"Momo handles\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMomo \u003c\/a\u003eand \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/lockwood\" title=\"Lockwood handles\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eLockwood \u003c\/a\u003eare also represented in this collection, covering design-led hardware and security-focused solutions respectively.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eChoosing the right handle\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA few practical questions help narrow down the right handle for a given door:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComfort \u003c\/strong\u003ea lever angled between 15° and 30° generally supports a more natural wrist motion than a flat or steeply angled lever\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSecurity \u003c\/strong\u003eexterior handles should meet AS\/NZS 4145 security standards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCohesion \u003c\/strong\u003ematching the handle's finish to nearby \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"taps at the blue space\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/taps\" target=\"_blank\"\u003etapware\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Lighting at the blue space\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/lighting\" target=\"_blank\"\u003elighting \u003c\/a\u003eor \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Cabinet handles\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/cabinet-handles\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ecabinet hardware\u003c\/a\u003e keeps the overall look considered rather than incidental\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMaintenance and care\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/stainless-steel-door-handles-and-hardware\" title=\"Stainless steel door handles\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eStainless steel handles\u003c\/a\u003e can be wiped clean with a microfibre cloth and mild detergent; abrasive pads should be avoided, since they can scratch the surface. Brass benefits from a brass polish roughly every six months if a bright, consistent shine is preferred, though many renovators choose to let the natural patina develop instead for a more lived-in look. Powder-coated finishes, such as matte black, should be cleaned with water and a pH-neutral soap to preserve the coating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do I change door handles?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReplacing a door handle generally involves removing the existing handle and its spindle, checking that the new handle's backset and screw positions match the existing door preparation, and fitting the new handle in place, tightening evenly on both sides of the door to avoid wobble. If the door hasn't previously had handle hardware fitted, a hole saw and chisel are typically needed to prepare the door, and it's worth checking manufacturer fitting instructions for the specific handle before starting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat door handles work best for French doors?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrench doors typically need only one functioning, lockable handle, with the second door fitted with a \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Dummy door handles\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.com.au\/collections\/dummy-door-handles\" target=\"_blank\"\u003edummy handle\u003c\/a\u003e for a matching appearance without a working mechanism. Whether both faces of the doors need handles depends on which side is visible and used, for example, a French door cupboard's inward-facing panel usually doesn't need a second handle set, since it isn't opened or seen from that side.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0014\/6938\/2771\/collections\/the-blue-space-lockwood-black-handle-door-hardware_1.jpg?v=1670985310","url":"https:\/\/www.thebluespace.co.nz\/collections\/door-handles.oembed?page=48","provider":"The Blue Space","version":"1.0","type":"link"}