The levers can be opened by children too easily, if that's a problem.

I used the ORB in an oval shape knob for my new home. Same ORB in hinges.

Probably the satin nickel levers look the most modern, w/chrome being more dated.

Hope i've helped. ;o)

My kids are teens, and since I have only had knobs, I was figuring on levers for a change. Besides being opened easily by kids, anything else I should be aware of?

Just something to think about.... We've had levers on our doors since we built it 19 years ago, and I've loved them. DD and our 2 year old grandson are visiting for Thanksgiving, and we're going to have to change out the bedroom he sleeps in for knobs, so he can be put to bed at night without fear of him opening doors he shouldn't. If keeping toddlers restrained from being able to open certain doors will ever be a consideration, I'd suggest you use knobs, instead.

These would be for the ground floor (interior doors), so they should be okay, don't you think?

I could always put knobs on the bedroom doors instead for safety reasons.

We used both in the addition. Levers are much easier to open ... a consideration for aging hands. Finish would probably dictate modern vs traditional more so than style.

Nanny, turn the lever around with the lock on the outside. I have Grandkids, too! ;o)

Levers are considered better for aging folks...and meet universal design standards.

A toddler will learn to open a regular door knob almost as fast as a lever handle. Both types of door handles may require child proofing if you have an escape artist child.

Either of your choices would look great, but I tend to lean towards satin nickel. I have levers in my home and prefer them to knobs, there just much easier to operate.

You can get levers that also bend toward the door to prevent catching sleeves if you think that is an issue.

You can look at sites like Hardware Hut and Handlesets.com to look at various manufacturers.

I don't want anything overly expensive, but also do not want to buy something that would fall apart. What brands do you all recommend for mid price range knobs/levers?

And thanks for your responses. They are very helpful. I've never changed interior doors before!

We used Baldwin, round-ball type knobs when we replaced our doors. Ordered them from a dealer I found online. Our local lumberyard (where we got the doors themselves, couldn't even meet their pricing). I can look up the company/site in my paperwork if you'd like (I got the knobs over 5-6 years ago, so their pricing/policies could very well not be the best out there any more).

Modern - Levers

You want modern, here you go - omnia industries.

{{!gwi}}

We have satin nickel levers, from Schlage, I think (Home Depot or Menards) and I love them on the exterior doors. I can come into the house with my arms full of groceries or whatever and easily open the door with a push. I've never caught my sleeve on one but they're not in sleeve-catching places. And we have a toddler, so I bought a lever lock from onestepahead.com for our sunroom lever.

I prefer levers - easier to open when you are carrying things or your palm is dry or slippery.

I LOVE the Emtek styles; they have a ton of really great modernist levers. I have Emtek for my exterior hardware and it's holding up well. At places like Hardware Hut, where I purchased all of mine, Emtek lever sets cost around $60 - $85, which is about in the middle of the range.

As to finish, I might actually go for stainless steel, which would be the most modern in style as well as durable.

Here is a link that might be useful: Emtek levers

My parent's last home had all door levers and it was much easier for them to use than knobs. I love the way they look and their ease of use but I could never have them because my Dobes could and would open any door in their house!

Oh yes, forgot to mention that toddlers aren't the only ones who can open lever doors ... :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Tiger

We swapped out brass-look knobs for some inexpensive commercial levers. It was a quick fix to get rid of the horrid ca. 1978 hardware. I really like them, but I have to agree that they are prone to grab pockets and sleeves.

Here is a link that might be useful: cheap levers

Pattycakes....duh, why didn't I think of that??? Thanks, you just saved me the cost of replacing three door levers with knobs!:-)

Cat, if you can find your source that would be helpful. Thanks!

Some of those modern levers look awesome, BUT...the tiny holes would be a PITA to keep clean, not so? Plus the grabbing your sleeves thing is getting to me. I hadn't thought of that. But I do like that they're easy to open if you have your hands full. I had some hand lotion on the other day, and for the life of me couldn't open the door, LOL

Levers are supposed to be easier to open, but I have a wrist problem that makes them more difficult to open. Personally, I prefer knobs. Levers just look industrial/office to me. Emtek is a great brand, whichever you choose. Not the cheapest, or most expensive, very durable, lots of choices and finishes.

Your wish is my command....

(ours are Antique Nickel--FWIW, the finish on the garage door knob is all beat up--don't know why. We will probably try to get it replaced/replace it at some point).

Here is a link that might be useful: West End Lumber/Baldwin Brass

Levers always make me think of closet doors. I don't find them attractive in general on other doors.

We replaced our front door hardware last year (along with the door) and had to be careful as we made our selection that the inside half of the doorknob was not a lever, but a knob. The levers seemed to be prevalent.

I love the oval knobs. That would be my choice if I could afford to replace the doorknobs in my home.

robin posted:
"We had levers everywhere when I lived in Europe. I was forever catching a sleeve in one as I walked by, or a jacket. Or catching them on my arm--but I am not really graceful. They look nice but I got tired of the bruises and stretched or torn sleeves".

When I had a serious fall with lots of injuries and had to get around the house, the levers were easier to use, but like robin mentioned, I kept catching myself on the hooks I would walk by! I cut off my belt loops after I got grabbed when walking by one door in particular! I even caught part of my sling and cast on one, and OUCH! I know one would say well, don't walk near a door, but, when on meds one tends to walk near walls and guide yourself around.

Once my case came off, the lever again was easier to use with my sore hand. So, there are two conflicting reasons why I will rethink putting them in my next house.

Thanks Cat!

After reading about the problem with levers, and remembering that both DD and DH tend to run into things, I am definitely going to pick knobs! Who would have thought a simple lever could be that dangerous? lol

Thanks for your help. BTW, anymore online sources?

mariposa,

I liked 'hardwareaccents.com' for our door hardware. I personally like knobs; I am another one of those that catch their sleeves on the levers! I never would have known but stayed in a condo that had them and by the end of the week I had torn 2 shirts!

Thank you, I will check them out.

I'm actually looking for doorknobs myself as we have levers upstairs and down. Always catching clothing parts in them - sweaters, coats - anything with open weave. Many bruises down through the years too! Looking for inexpensive doorknobs at the moment.