Lane Buckingham

A door handle set (also called a door lever set or door furniture set) typically includes the lever handles for both sides of the door, a rose or backplate, a spindle to connect the handles, and fixing screws. Some sets also include a latch or lock mechanism. In Australia, door handles must comply with AS 4145 standards for security and durability. The Blue Space stocks door hardware from Zanda, Lockwood, and other trusted Australian brands.

Contemporary lever handles with a round or square rose are the most popular style in Australian homes currently. Matte black and brushed nickel are the dominant finishes in new and renovated homes. Traditional rounded lever handles in polished chrome or brushed nickel suit classic and Hamptons-style homes. Choosing a consistent handle style and finish throughout the home creates a cohesive, well-designed result.

A lever handle is operated by pressing down on an elongated arm, it is accessible for people with limited hand strength and is the most common door handle type in Australian homes. A door knob requires gripping and turning, which some users find less accessible. Under the Disability Discrimination Act, lever handles are recommended in accessible homes and are increasingly standard in new builds.

An entrance handle set is a door handle set designed specifically for the front or entry door of a home. It includes a keyed cylinder lock integrated into the handle or separate lockset, providing external security. Entrance sets are available in a range of styles from contemporary to traditional and must be rated for external use, exposed to the elements, with weather-resistant finishes.

A dummy handle is a non-functional door lever or knob that is decorative only, it does not operate a latch or lock. Dummy handles are used on doors that don't require a latch (such as double doors where one door is fixed, wardrobe doors that slide or swing without a latch, or decorative cabinet doors). They give the door the appearance of a complete handle set without the mechanical function.

A passage handle set includes two lever handles connected by a spindle that operate a latch, allowing the door to be opened from either side without a lock. Passage sets are used on internal doors where privacy is not required: hallways, living areas, home offices, and children's bedrooms. They are the most commonly used internal door handle set in Australian homes.

A privacy handle set includes a locking mechanism that can be engaged from inside the room, typically a simple push-button or turn-snib and can be unlocked from outside in an emergency using a small pin or coin. Privacy handles are used on bathroom, toilet, and bedroom doors where privacy is required but a keyed lock is not necessary.

Sliding doors require a specific type of handle, typically a recessed flush pull, a finger pull, or a surface-mounted sliding door pull. Because a sliding door doesn't have a hinge pivot point, standard lever handle sets don't apply. Flush pulls sit recessed in the door surface and are ideal for cavity (pocket) sliding doors. Edge pulls are mounted on the leading edge of the door for easy gripping.