We’ve been in our house for a few years now, and it was finally time to change the interior door hardware.
When we moved in, every door had that very ’90s shiny gold finish. At first, it didn’t bother me — we had so many other projects going on that hardware wasn’t a priority. But a year later (with plenty of projects still ahead), I hit my limit. Once you notice shiny gold levers everywhere, you really can’t unsee them.
So this weekend, I rounded up my favorite affordable interior door hardware — all under $100.
Hardware adds up fast, which is a big reason I put this off for so long. When you have a lot of interior doors, the cost climbs quickly. Add in all the choices — brass, black, or silver; levers or knobs — and it can feel overwhelming.
A few things helped narrow it down: choosing a finish first, keeping it consistent throughout the house, and paying attention to weight — heavier hardware just feels better.
After living with the options for a bit, we ultimately upgraded our hardware with Emtek, and it made a huge difference. The quality and weight instantly elevated the entire house. That said, affordable hardware absolutely works, especially for guest rooms or secondary spaces.
Swapping door hardware seems like a small change, but it’s one you touch every day — and once it’s done, the whole house feels more updated and intentional.
