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Where to start with door furniture

At a loss with where to start with choosing front door furniture? These days it can be daunting knowing where to start with adorning our front doors. Instagram and Pinterest accounts are stuffed full to brimming with ideas for creating the perfect cottage porch, most imposing double doors for a barn conversion or elegant entrance for a town house. Yet there's nothing more deflating than when you are full of excitement at having chosen the perfect door, and finally chosen what colour to paint it, only to realise that you don't have a clue about what ionmongery you need for it.

But don't worry, here at Jim Lawrence we are well versed in all things doorsy and our handy guide will lead you through everything you need to know about what to furnish your door with so that it works properly and looks fabulous to boot.


HINGES - HOW MANY DO YOU NEED? 


If you are replacing existing door furniture you may not want to go to the bother of re-hanging your door with new hinges, but if you are having a new door made or want to change its aesthetic, you may want to buy hinges. How many you need depends on how heavy your door is and what material it is made from. Many interior cottage-style doors are made from single planks of wood that are nailed together and only require 2 hinges top and bottom. Exterior doors generally have 3 hinges, with an additional one in the middle, for extra security, whilst heavy oak doors, or outsized front doors may have 4 hinges to spread the weight of the door.

We recommend our Butterfly hinges and range of 16, 30 or 45cm Suffolk hinges or T-hinges as the perfect partners for cottages and country-style homes, while our beautiful Rectangular and Acorn brass butt hinges are a great match for Georgian, Victorian and modern houses.
30cm T Hinge
Rectangular butt hinge



HANDLES - PULL, KNOB, LEVER OR LATCH? 


What is the difference? Originally people used bolts to open, close and lock their doors but these were gradually replaced by traditional latch sets such as our Suffolk, Norfolk and Stoke latches. They are used on their own with a simple pin and keep to shut and lock the door and should only be used on internal doors, cupboards and larders in older homes with lighter doors. A doorknob or lever handle is designed to turn and engage a (mortice) latch set that opens the door, whereas a pull handle is fixed in place and used to push and pull the door. If you have a Yale lock or similar, this acts as your door latch so you don’t need a turning handle and can just use a decorative door pull.

Which one should I choose? Generally, that is up to you. Centre door pulls tend to be fairly large and heavy so are used on external or front doors. Generally, they are sold individually as you only need one of them, not a pair. They are a great choice for traditional properties and grand entrances. Doorknobs (and dropped handles) have a long history as they were the first type of turning handle to be used, replacing latches and bolts, so are the best option for a traditional home. Lever handles were invented during the industrial revolution and became widespread in the 1900s, so tend to be more contemporary in design and the perfect choice for modern properties, or homes with elderly occupants as they are easier to handle than knobs.

At Jim Lawrence, we manufacture a huge range of door handle styles, in knob, dropped handle and lever designs with a range of corresponding backplates and in all our most popular finishes.
Shaftesbury Centre door knob
Matt black door furniture



LOCKS & LATCH SETS


Will I need one? Yes, you will need a latch with your door handle to ensure it opens and closes properly. Internal doors that don’t need to be locked require a standard latch set. You can choose handles with plain, short or round backplates for these doors. Doors that need to be locked for privacy or security (such as front, back and bathroom doors) require a mortice lock set. It is generally advisable that handle styles for these doors incorporates a keyhole or privacy backplate, or you can opt for a short or round handle plate with a separate keyhole protected by an escutcheon (more of that later).

You can read all about which latch sets work with which handles in our Door Handles FAQ. Remember, latches sets for knob handles may look the same as latch sets for lever handles, but they are in fact very different as the turning mechanisms need to be in different places so be sure to get the right match.
Manson Lever Handle with keyhole plate
5 Lever Lock Set for lever handles



ESCUTCHEON OR LATCH PULL? 


Escutcheons serve to neaten up and protect the wood around the keyhole that often gets battered by use and are available with or without flaps to help prevent draughts. They can also add a decorative touch to your door. Deciding whether to have a keyhole as part of your handle design or completely separate is an aesthetic one so go with what you like the most. Escutcheons are sold individually, with customers often choosing a covered escutcheon on the outside of the door, and an uncovered escutcheon on the inside.

Door latches offer the quintessential look for traditional ledge and brace doors. These doors are typically found in older homes that don't have doors with standard (inset) mortice latch sets. Handcrafted by our skilled blacksmiths in our Suffolk forge, these traditional thumb latches are made from milled steel and feature decorative penny end fixing plates that bring a touch of heritage style to your home.
Priory Escutcheon with flap
Suffolk Door Latch



LETTER PLATES


We’re often asked if there is a ‘standard size’ for letterplates – unfortunately not! Letter plates come in a variety of sizes, so it’s important to measure first if you’re replacing an existing one and think about panelling in your door that may restrict its size and whether it will fit vertically or horizontally.

We make our letter plates in 2 sizes, large and small, that can be used to cover a range of hole sizes. We also make internal letter plates to keep your woodwork neat and with a flap to help keep out draughts. For more information on how to measure for your letter plate, see our Letter Plate Guide in the Jim Lawrence Knowledge Base.
Small external letter plate
Small internal latter plate


DOOR KNOCKERS


As well as lending instant character to your door, there is something about a decorative door knocker that is instantly inviting. A distinctive door knocker will not only alert you to guests and posties arriving, but with so many different styles available it’s a lovely way to add some flair to your decor. We make a range of beautiful door knockers, from the traditional Lion’s Head to the classic Doctor’s, to suit any style of property. For more inspiration, check out our blog - 5 Distinctive Door Knockers for a Statement Entrance.
Lion's Head door knocker
Doctors Door Knocker


YALE SURROUND & DOOR BELL


If you have a Yale lock or similar, fitting a latch pull around the key cylinder will allow you to pull the door closed from the outside. As Yale locks and Euro key cylinders are only available in a limited selection of finishes, a latch pull in a matching finish to your other door furniture will help to tie everything together.

Choosing a bell push and surround is another opportunity to enhance the aesthetic of your home’s entrance. Our classic brass and steel door bell covers combine the best of old-fashioned styling with modern wiring in a sturdy, elegant design that works with battery and mains operated systems for doorbells that ring and chime and suit contemporary and period properties alike. Be sure to choose a finish that matches the rest of your door furniture.
Yale lock surround
Door bell push and surround


FINAL TOUCHES 


No front door looks complete without a house name, number or letters to signify your address, and some beautifully reflective glass porch lighting to brighten up your front door and create a warm and welcoming feel to cheer up those dreary winter months.

Our collection of generously sized, solid brass and steel letters and numbers, in a choice of finishes to complement your exising door furniture, will add a touch of luxury to your ironmongery, while our award-winning, durable outdoor wall and porch lights combine the perfect blend of rustic charm and classic elegance to ensure they look beautiful and serve you for many years of use. 
House letters & numbers
Putney Outdoor Light

We would love to see how you translate these ideas into your own home this season, so don’t forget to tag us on Instagram or Facebook. For a wealth of home décor and interior inspiration, view our Pinterest page. Browse the Jim Lawrence website to see all of our hand forged and finished lighting and homeware.


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