Door Hardware: An Easy Upgrade That Will Transform Your Home

Here’s the thing. I’m a budget girl through and through, but there are a few things I think you should splurge on throughout your home to give it a high end feel.

One of those things is door hardware. All hardware really.

You can build or buy inexpensive furniture, decorate with inexpensive items, paint with inexpensive paint, but what ultimately makes something look polished are the details. And one of the biggest details people will pay attention to when they walk into a home is the hardware!

I just finished replacing my door hardware with beautifully detailed Vintage Brass knobs and hinges from Grandeur Hardware, and I cannot get over the difference it made.

Here’s exactly what I used to upgrade my doors, the tools I needed to accomplish the task, and a big tip to help you stay on budget while doing the same kind of upgrade.

** This blog post is sponsored by Grandeur Hardware and contains my honest review of the products. **

DOOR HARDWARE: AN EASY UPGRADE THAT WILL TRANSFORM YOUR HOME

Here’s what I used…

• Arc One-Piece Handleset with C Grip and Circulaire Knob in Vintage Brass
• Arc Short Plate Entry Set with Circulaire Knob in Vintage Brass
• Arc Short Plate with Circulaire Knob in Vintage Brass
• 4″ Steeple Tip Residential Steel Hinge with 5/8″ Radius Corners in Antique Brass
• 3.5″ Steeple Tip Residential Steel Hinge with 5/8″ Radius Corners in Antique Brass

Here are the tools you need…

• Screw Driver
• Drill
• Drill Bits

START BY TAKING INVENTORY OF WHAT YOU NEED

Make a list of the number of passage door knobs you need (doors that latch with knobs on both sides but don’t lock), privacy door knobs (doors that latch with knobs on both sides that do lock), dummy door knobs (doors that open and close but the knobs don’t twist and latch into a door frame – could be on one or both sides of the door), and entry handlesets (exterior lockable hardware).

Then make note of the number of hinges you might need if you’re changing the finish of your door knobs. Because you really shouldn’t change one without the other!

Measure the hinge, make note of the screw layout, the edge (rounded vs. square), and order the same size and shape for an easy swap!

Once you have your list, decide whether or not you want to buy all your hardware at one time or move room to room, floor to floor, etc. to save money.

Because HOME TAKES TIME.

TIP: Upgrading something throughout the home can be an expense. Sometimes it’s worth it to do it all at once, but you never have to. I’ve been known to do upgrades like this as I tackle a room at a time. Sometimes it makes more sense to buy for a floor at a time — whatever you want to do here is great.

INSTALL TIPS

When my Grandeur Hardware arrived, I got it all unpackaged and layed out by type of knob and hinge, then tacked one floor at a time during install.

Changing out a door knob is pretty simple. You want to unscrew and remove the existing fixture, remove the old strike plate from the door frame, and install the new strike plate.

Then place the new spindle in — this is the piece that goes through the center of the door with the metal rod. If you’re installing a privacy set, make sure the lock screw piece faces the inside of the door, and make sure the curved side of the latch faces the strike plate.

Then grab your door knobs — the long metal rod on the back of each will go into the spindle. Make sure the knob with the screw holes is on the inside of the door, and make sure the two small holes (the lock holes) are on the latch side and meet up.

Screw your knobs into place with a screwdriver as to not strip the screws or mess up the finish. Then twist in your locking mechanism.

Test your doors and YOU DID IT! But if you’re reading this like, “I have not idea what you just said,” that’s okay too — it’s all in the instructions that come with your hardware. Just follow those and you’ll get the hang of it very quickly!

As for the hinges, these are even easier. If you ordered the same hinges as your existing ones, simply take off ONE hinge on your door at a time and replace it with the new hinge. Repeat until you’re done! That way, you don’t have to take you’re entire door off and reinstall! Works like a charm and saves you the headache.

THE BOTTOM LINE

I should have done this years ago! I cannot get over the quality and craftsmanship this Grandeur Hardware has added to our home. It made every single room look and feel so high end, you can feel the quality when you go to open a door now, and the details on the knobs and hinges are everything.

It’s truly like the jewelry to an outfit — the right accessories make all the difference when it goes from creating a house to curating a home!

I can’t wait to see what you choose for your own home!

Happy upgrading!