Spend more on handles

[soundevenfruity]

I am mystified by what architects mean when they say that you need to spend more on stuff that you actually touch in your house. And for some reason they always mention door handles. I have a suspicion that they don't mean B&Q or Screwfix. Where can I try these superior handles?

Not sure but sometimes the little things like door handles and light switches in chrome can make room look more expensive and modern. It doesn't mean you have to spend more, here is a site for door handles doesn't seem too expensive and they have nice designs

www.simplydoorhandles.co.uk/

Also if you are touching these things each time you touch it you will the cheap quality, my kitchen cupboards handles are cheap ones and they don't feel nice so am looking to change them.

Thank you, LilMiss. I seem to find a lot of websites but I would be reluctant to spend money on something I am supposed to enjoy but can't try out. I will check the site. We have nightmare IKEA handles in the kitchen - it's simply impossible to grasp them even with dry hands. Can't wait to change them. The previous owners (very design conscious) put in door handles that feel ok but make doors look like a bog standard office toilet. I think it's called industrial look.

Lol industrial look - oh dear my living room and stairway is painted a deep red colour - same colour as my company brand. ARGH cannot wait to repaint this year feel like I never escape work lol

I see what you mean but you can always send them back saying they are not suitable - check their return policy first. B&Q and Homebase do a good range you can go see and touch, however I find them more expensive and you can usually find them cheaper on line.

You could try local locksmiths/key shops they also have door handles on display.

I replaced the tacky bright gold handles on all my kitchen units with brushed steel ones and it completely altered the feel of the kitchen. It was only a cheap B&Q kitchen, installed by the previous incumbents of this manor, but the posher knobs (which were actually also from B&Q) gave it an instant upgrade.

Mind you, the removal of the stained lino on the walls and the new floor covering made it even better again.

Holloway's of Ludlow do nice handles. They have showrooms too.

Yes, it's quite amazing what bold design choices people make.

Thank you, Harriet. I see they have a showroom not far from me.

We replaced all our downstairs doors, needed handles for all of them, decided to economise. None of the buggers close properly. They all need replacing. Wish we'd spent more in the first place. I never realised how vital effective door handles are to my sanity!

strada. Or haefele. Both do great door handles.

Amazing, hairdo, I didn't realise there were so many options. By Strada do you mean forest hill one? It's so obvious really: I should've used "architectural hardware or ironmongery" as key words.

I'm an architect and have never said that but I think what 'they' mean is that you should go for quality products.
I would always recommend using the best quality product within your budget especially for things that get handled/ used as they will get the most wear.
It just means they will last better and longer, which on buildings is generally a good thing.
Quality needn't be expensive but it is also unlikely to be the cheapest option.
Hafele are fab for ironmongery - my new kitchen handles & my study shelf supports are from there. Solidly made and beautiful.

Wonkylegs, I understand about quality, it's just I have never seen a door handles shop so didn't know where to look. I have 2 names here so it's a start. Do you have any other suggestions? Quality, price and design kudos are a mystery to me, I am not even sure I can feel the difference between inferior and superior handles. As to design kudos, it's really for people in the know, isn't it? For example, Duravit is considered good but it's too rectangulary for me.

I'm a little bit in love with these handles for my kitchen www.finessedesign.com/en/prodpage.asp?ProdID=549 . Finesse also do door handles. One thing I considered to justify spending such money on handles was whether they would look/ feel better with age (think patina) or worse (peeling lacquer on faux brass).

It's a good point, Username. Also how they look with fingerprints so I am not looking at polished anything. Thanks for the link.

If you mean door handles rather than kitchen handles then i can recommend Carlisle brass which we bought through Jewsons online. Not silly money and seems to be lasting - were gradually upgrading all of the stuff in our house.

Our last house had standard Barratts spec - many of them were broken within 3y.

Look at Ironmongerydirect website.

Vast range, but trade not boutique prices.

Quite likely some of the boutiques buy there.