Choosing Door Furniture for Period Homes

Aged Brass Tewkesbury Square Mortice Knob Set, from our current range.

Getting period door furniture right

Door furniture makes a bigger difference to a period property than almost any other detail, and it is one of the easiest things to get wrong. A handsome Georgian or Victorian door can be undermined by handles that are the wrong style, the wrong finish, or simply too contemporary. This guide covers what to look for.

Choose the right handle style

Mortice knobs, rather than lever handles, are generally the more authentic choice for period properties, particularly on principal rooms. A round or square knob paired with a matching mortice lock reflects how these doors would originally have been fitted. See our Mortice Knobs guide.

Choose a period-appropriate finish

Finish is often what makes or breaks a period restoration. Aged or antique brass, with its deliberately distressed, warm tone, is the most widely used finish for Georgian and Victorian properties. Polished brass suits a smarter, more formal Georgian look, while pewter or bronze can suit an Edwardian or Arts and Crafts property. See our full Hardware Finishes Guide.

Don't overlook the smaller details

• Escutcheons – a keyhole cover is a small but noticeable period detail, easily missed on a modern lock upgrade, see our Escutcheons guide
• Door knockers – a well chosen knocker is one of the first things visitors see, see our Door Knockers guide
• Letter plates – a horizontal letter plate in a matching finish keeps the front door looking coherent, see our Letter Plates guide
• Hinges – visible hinge knuckles in the wrong finish can undo an otherwise carefully matched door, see our Hinges & Door Control Guide

Keep the whole door consistent

The most common mistake on a period property is mixing finishes across a single door, handle in one finish, hinges in another, knocker in a third. Specifying every visible piece of ironmongery on a door in the same finish and range, such as a matching door furniture set, gives the most authentic and coherent result.

Related guides

Browse our Door Furniture range, or see our Antique Brass guide and Door Handle Buying Guide.

Frequently asked questions

What finish suits a Georgian front door?

Polished or aged brass are the most historically appropriate finishes for Georgian properties, with aged brass giving a softer, more lived-in look and polished brass a smarter, more formal appearance.

Should I use knobs or levers on a period property?

Mortice knobs are generally the more authentic choice for principal rooms in a period property, as lever handles were not in common use until later. That said, lever handles are still often used on back doors and less formal rooms.

How do I keep door furniture consistent through a whole house?

Choosing all visible ironmongery, handles, hinges, knockers and letter plates, from the same finish and, where possible, the same product range, gives the most coherent result throughout a period property.

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