Whether you’re renovating your home or just replacing your door hardware, make sure you choose the door handle that works best for your home, from design to functionality. For your Art Deco home, a chrome door handle would be perfect to complete the look. If you have an elderly person or children living with you, perhaps a lever, rather than a knob, would be easier for everyone to use. There are definitely a lot of things that you need to consider when shopping for a door handle. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

Safety is, of course, your main concern when looking for a door accessory. Latches, locks and handles must fit perfectly and last a long time. Some people are eager to splurge on high-tech lock sets, like keyless and card reader systems. However, you have to make sure that they are 100% trustworthy.

For your front and back doors made of solid materials like wood, a single cylinder deadbolt would suffice. However, if you have delicate glass doors, which are accessible and attractive to thieves, your best option would be a double cylinder latch, which must be opened with a key from both the inside and the outside.

It’s possible to have both design and function in your door handles and lock sets, especially the ones at your front entrance. Many stores, brick-and-mortar or online, offer a full range of door handle designs, from vintage to modern minimalist. If you have a Victorian or other traditional home, you may want to try a glass door knob to add elegance and highlight your architectural design. Your minimalist home, on the other hand, would look very chic in any type of chrome door handles, whether in a satin or polished finish. With the right design, this little piece of hardware can definitely pack a punch.

Once you have installed your door hardware, you must of course also maintain it properly. Make sure door locks and latches are aligned properly and can be easily opened and closed. If you keep using misaligned locks and latches, you will not only destroy hardware, but you can also get locked in or out of your house or room.

You should also immediately check if your door hinges are squeaking. Sometimes it may just need a little cleaning. You should also be aware of what kind of material your door hardware is made of, so that you don’t apply any harmful chemicals that can easily rust it. For example, brass door hardware only needs soapy water or beeswax for cleaning, while chrome door handles are generally maintenance-free and only require non-abrasive wax, if you want complete maintenance.

In fact, it would be a shame if you went through all this trouble to find the perfect door hardware, only to be left with one that doesn’t work properly in just a year or so. Be sure to keep these tips in mind so that you have door hardware that suits your requirements, in terms of design and function.