I've had clothing items like pockets caught on lever handles too many times to count. I don't like them.

I used egg shaped knobs because they are more easy to use as you age.

In the multimillion dollar new homes around me (replacing 1970's tear downs), gold is making a comeback but it's a different finish, not brassy. Shapes vary based on the style of the home. Black matte is still happening too. Look at pictures of the interiors of new houses on zillow or realtor.com to see what's being used in your area.

Replacing all the door handles in a home is an expensive proposition. Depending on your budget, I would try spray painting a handle from an inconspicuous place. Clean it well first, thoroughly dry, use a metal paint. Looks like you might need to sand with a fine grit before painting. Be sure to paint the strike plate also. For a complete look, you'll want to paint the hinges too. I sprayed hinges black matte when I refreshed a bathroom once with a black door. Worked fine for years, no wear. I didn't do the door handle as the ones on it were a midcentury copper I wanted to keep as is. Just cleaned it up. That was a placeholder until I gutted the entire bath two years ago. Once you start, it can become a big project.

Your lever handle is a good style, no curly cues, so I can see where you want to salvage them although I agree with the clothing catch issue of lever handles.

Honestly I like yours - simple and not fussy. I agree that it can get expensive fast - I’d probably spend my money elsewhere but that’s just me (not sure about matte black as your doors look traditional)

@Patricia Colwell Consulting RE: painted metal rubbing off. That has not been my experience if the metal is properly prepped. Maybe over ten years and a lot of use, yes, but depending on a person's budget, sometimes place holders are the way to go. And for the few that get a lot of use, you just repaint.

If those levers are of good quality, like Baldwin, then I would consider metal plating. Look for a local plating workshop in your area.

Metal Plating will be more durable than paint.

I used Emtek levers when I built a Spanish inspired house in 2021. I used their Sandcast Bronze which will patina with heavy use. It is a very dark brown.

@tozmo1 Thank you! when you spray painted the hinges, did you tape or did you have to taje the whole door down? what kind of paint did you use?

I took the door down and removed the hinges. I also spray paint the screws. The best way to do that is to get a block of styrofoam, poke the screws into it so they are standing up and then spray the tops of the screws so they will blend into the hinges when the door is open. Otherwise you'll see brass dots on the black hinges. After you screw the hinges back on you may need to touch up the paint on the screws a tiny bit.

I used Rust-oleum black matte. There are a lot of different lines of Rust-oleum that didn't exist when I did mine. I'm sure they wear even better. Here's a really good video on how to spray door handles. I love her set up for the painting, all stuff you have around the house. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6qPB_GZ3-I She uses a primer and a clear top coat. Sounds like good advice for the handles but probably not necessary for the hinges.

Really prepping the door handles are key if you have any corrosion, flaking or rust. Use a fine grit sandpaper for any bad spots.

Try one. Worst case, you have to buy a new door handle but I think it will work fine and you'll be pleased.

I think all finishes are in use, but probably nickel, shiny gold, and black or dark bronze are most common. Don't look at the doors in isolation -- depends on the finish of your lighting, railings, and other elements too.

One more thought if you decide to paint them. For those whose finish might be in bad shape and be in need of sanding before painting, if they are in a more prominent space, you could swap the handles with ones from a door that was less used, less prominent and likely in better shape. That way the best handles are the most visible.

I too painted my polished brass with Rustoleum Venetian Bronze with no regrets. For the hinges, I removed the middle from the door, put it back up, then bottom, put it back up, then top. It took time but saved me from removing the entire door.