To Absolutely HATE Door Handles

[ShortStory]

Violent buggers always seem to catch my hip, arm, clothes, or the bundle of laundry I'm carting to the washing machine.

DS2 (12) has dyspraxia and autism and spends most of his time ricocheting off walls, doors, door handles, and radiators.

We're making some changes to our home, including the internal doors.

What's the most gentle option? Can we get door knobs instead of handles?

Is there some miraculous alternative to door handles?

Round knobs are a little less agressive, imo.

get sliding doors, no need for handles

Agree knobs.

Haha, knobs!

Seriously though how do you cope with handley handles. They are evil. I also detest knobs or handles on kitchen cabinets. I chose full width slimline bars which never catch any part of my anatomy as don't protrude enough to catch me.

Door knobs are dead cheap and easy to fix. Just need a drill and some screws. B and Q will do you a pair of knobs for £6, nice shiny silver ones.

3 males in my dh's family are knobs, but i call them door handles in polite company

Knobs!
I moved from a Victorian tenement with knobs to a 60s house with handles and was black and blue for weeks!!!

Rounded handles, yes. I didn’t half catch myself this week, dog bed was jamming the door half open, I cracked my arm off the handle. Bloody hurt. I look like someone battle red me, 2 black eyes due to a DIY accident last week too.

Yes knobs. But they do need a different size of internal mechanism so they are set further from the edge of the door than ones for levers. This is so knuckles don't get grazed on the doorframe when you grip the knob

The only thing to consider with knobs is if there is a wall next to the door. It can be a bugger trapping fingers whilst turning so may need to move further across.

Roller catch and a loop type push/pull handle? Nothing to get caught at all. They are very easy to use with arthritis too.

Sliding doors.

I’m considering it for our house because the bathroom door handle hates me. I get my wedding ring caught on it all the time, end up flinging myself in the shelves of toilet roll, towels and toiletries. I end up on the floor covered in crap with my finger stuck to the bloody handle. This has happened at least 3 times 🤦‍♀️

My front door, patio door and downstairs doors and bathroom are all controlled by a fob that you wear on your wrist. Once within 10cm of the door they open automatically. Look absolutely disgusting with the wiring but I love having no need to touch handles, especially as my disabled sons hands are never the cleanest.

I had one of my regular grabbed by an uncouth door handle moments in the last day or two. They favour going up my sleeve. Bastards.

A knob would be more rounded, but would the grip and twist be ok with dyspraxia? My hands are small (and I suspect dyspraxia for a multitude of reasons, there is a fair bit if it in my family including DS) and I find them awkward to grab and feel the twist.

Care homes tend to have chunky, rounded lever style handles to balance the need for grip and safety. Not very attractive though.

Would echo PP re being careful about placement of knobs - I regularly catch my knuckles with some of ours.

Better than handles though - those bastards keep on dragging me back into the room I'm trying to leave, either strangling me or ripping my top in the process. Swines.

@Noflora - genius insight there - I hadn't consider knuckle grazing.

@SilverHawk - thanks - just looked those up and they look great - so you don't need to twist the handle, just pull/push door to open it? Sounds perfect for ds2

It’s partly the height. We’re currently living temporarily in an old house, and the doorknobs are significantly higher than on modern doors. I find I get caught less, and I am usually someone who snags pockets on door handles.

I am so glad I posted this! Thanks for your very helpful replies. Another day planned investigating knobs- but also going to look at arthritis/disability-friendly options. Thank you!

Knobs here.

Far better. No more ripped clothes and a lot less bruises.

I was going to say knobs but on reflection I spent a lot of time trying to extricate my sleeves from the ones on the kitchen cupboards, they also grab the pockets of my dressing gown and when I walk away the doors open and go with me. It is even worse when I get caught on the drawers as they also open.

Larger knobs on normal doors are better but they do crush your fingers against walls if you misjudge.

@Fanlights - I was thinking of positioning the knobs nearer head/shoulder height as less likely to catch loose clothing there. No small children to worry about (I'm the smallest person in the house).

So you'd agree less risk of injury up there?

Knobs can be tricky if you're clumsy or have poor grip. Also if you have your hands full as you can't open them with your elbow!

Our handles are described as Victorian bow handles (suits the house).
The roller mechanism is a dark metal, possibly brass, just over an inch long.
You do need to pull the handle to shut a door but they are obviously just pushed open. Both hands full, no problem! You can reverse in too or kick the door! nudge with a foot. Useful for laundry baskets etc.

No advice but they are bastards, i either bash myself on them, knobs included, or catch and rip my top's. FFS

Bow handles look perfect -- thank you.

Ebay is cheapest for factory direct knobs or handles. My pretty silver & crystal ones for my bedroom furniture were £1.50 each free delivery as oppose to identical £5 each John Lewis ones.