Don”t you just LOVE a really fun and unique door knocker?
Such a quick and easy way to really zhush up your entryway!
This post first appeared here last winter, but since then I found so many unique door knockers, I’ve gone ahead and updated it for you here today.
8 Fabulous Door Knockers To Zhush Up Your Entryway
Talking all about door knockers today – I’ve got entryways on my mind I guess.
Your front door provides the perfect opportunity to express your own personal style.
Whether you choose to pay homage to your home’s architectural style, it’s location or simply love a specific motif, door knockers can really enhance the overall look of your home.
If curb appeal and first impressions are important to you, then this little design detail will be right up your ally.
Regardless of your personal style, there’s a door knocker option for everyone’s entryway.
If you’re looking for some of the best door knocker ideas out there, here are all of my favorites – the ones which make me wish I had more than just one front door!
A Brief History of front door knockers
The door knocker is an iconic staple of prestige and style.
It’s experienced an evolution in design over the ages.
Today we view doorknockers as an expression of style and enriched curb appeal.
Antique lion head door knocker with an ornate look.
The Conception
Door knockers originated in Ancient Greece thousands of years ago.
When exterior doors replaced hangings for more privacy and protection, a means for someone to notify their presence was needed, and the door knocker was born.
There’s also quite a surprising dark side to this decorative item.
During this period, upper class Grecians chained slaves to the front door.
Often, they would fall asleep due to boredom.
To awaken the slaves, visitors would bring an iron bar to strike the door with.
This proved to be a new security threat for homeowners.
Grecians were compelled to develop an alternative.
The improved design was a large iron rectangle backplate secured to the door with a heavy ring attached, a handle and knocker all in one.
As the adoption of door knockers grew in Ancient Greece, word spread to the Romans and beyond.
The Renaissance Renews the Door Knocker
The Renaissance was a rebirth, bringing the new world a wave of artistic and cultural expression.
Door knockers were not exempt from the creative explosion of the 15th and 16th centuries.
Small embellishments to door knockers began in earlier centuries when blacksmiths skills began to improve.
When the Renaissance swept through Europe, craftsmen began manufacturing unique and elaborate knockers—from dragons, to lions, to family crests.
Again, door knockers grew in popularity and continued to spread across the globe.
Door Knocker Themes
As time progressed, the designs evolved, and themes emerged.
The lion head was a prominent feature for many years.
Its symbolism stretched across oceans and cultures.
In fact, the lion head door knocker was widely present in the American colonies and was one of the most popular solid brass door knockers at the time.
It wasn’t until the American Revolution that another figure took its place.
The Bald Eagle took reign in the American Colonies from this time forward.
In the Mediterranean, the hand door knocker emerged and gained popularity.
The hand is said to derive from the Hand of Fatima.
It was believed that the Hand of Fatima protected against evil.
Therefore, a design resembling the hand was placed on the front of the home to ward off all that was wicked.
As with all trends, even hundreds of years ago, word spreads—and the hand door knocker spread with it.
Traditional design hand of Fatima door knocker.
Modern Door Knocker
Fast forward to today’s modern home.
Door knockers have experienced significant evolution since their conception in the eleventh century.
They are no longer simply a means of alerting the homeowner of your presence.
Today homeowners choose to decorate their entrance door with door knockers for a variety of reasons.
Whether a homeowner wishes to incorporate their heritage into the home, complement the architectural design, or add a trendy emblem like a pineapple, it is the owners’ opportunity to adorn a personal touch, curb appeal and a lasting impression.
A fun and unique door knocker is the perfect way to zhush up your front entrance.
Let’s have a look at some current popular designs and the best door knockers out there today.
solid brass pineapple door knocker
1. Pineapple Door Knocker
Starting things off with the iconic pineapple door knocker.
Who doesn’t love a pineapple motif in any form?
The pineapple’s long history as a symbol of hospitality makes it the perfect, quintessential door knocker.
I love how it looks best in brass against a bright, colorful door – but it truly looks beautiful in any finish.
This is a timeless style which would make such a good choice for a housewarming gift.
2. Lion Door Knocker
A personal preference and another timeless design, this is the door knocker which adorns our own entryway.
Inspired by the doors I’ve seen in Europe, I love the classic look of the lion head.
I also think it looks so great against our high gloss black door.
3. Traditional Brass Ring door Knockers
It doesn’t get any more traditional than the big brass ring.
Sometimes you just need a bold, brass door knocker!
The perfect addition to any front door.
Especially if you can’t commit to a symbol or motif, but still want to add some personality to your door.
I’ve heard door knockers referred to as the jewelry of the home-
It’s these simple round ones which come to mind whenever I hear this, probably because of the large hoop earrings which are often referred to as doorknockers!
And, speaking of jewelry,l ately I’ve been loving these pearl ribbon door knockers!
It’s such a fun spin on a classic style.
4. Shell Door Knocker
Whenever we go to a beach community, I love to look at all the different front doors and door knockers.
For some reason, sea motifs, like this darling shell above – really lend themselves to so many charming ideas for your front door.
5. Brass Bumble Bee
If shells and lions and pineapples aren’t your thing, perhaps a sweet little bumble bee is?
I love the whimsy behind this simple design.
The one in the image above is so cute, and so is this more stylized version here!
Anchor with rope door knocker.
6. Brass Anchor Door Knocker
As I mentioned above, LOVE a good coastal door knocker
This is the same brass anchor we installed on the entryway to the beach house we renovated and sold last year.
Anchors, sea turtles, shells, lobsters, crabs – I really just love the whole vibe of a cute coastal door knocker.
Silver Fox Countryside Animal Door Knocker Handle
7. Country Fox Knocker
From the beach, to the country…
This darling fox is another favorite of mine.
Perfect for country homes, suburban homes and town houses a like – how sweet is this handsome little guy?
I love the unique look of this one.
The accompanying over all door design and hardware here is also pure curb appeal perfection!
vintage Victorian era lady hand
8. Vintage lady hand door knocker
Hand shape door knockers have a long history and are often associated with both good fortune and warding off evil.
There are many hand motif options available out there, but the vintage ones are by far the most charming.
Where should the door knocker be hung on the door?
For starters, you should aim to center it horizontally on your door.
If your door has a peep hole, or peek hole, you should hang the knocker below it.
Some door knockers come with a viewing hole.
A door knocker with a viewer is not my favorite.
My personal preference is to have the hole and the knocker both separate on your door.
Finally, you should hang your door knocker roughly 4 1/2 to 5 feet from the ground up.
This all assumes you have a wooden door.
For metal doors, this becomes a bit trickier.
Specifically, you may need to purchase separate hardware for a metal or steel door.
Conclusion
Hope you love all these door knocker picks and suggestions.
From unique designs to traditional styles, as you can see here – the possibilities are truly endless.
But, these are my favorites and a great place to start if you’re searching for one to suit your own style and taste.
So, do you have any of these door knockers on your own entryway?
Let me know in the comments, or better yet – send in a pic!
ADDITIONAL HOME DECOR INSPIRATION
If you’re looking for even more home inspiration, be sure to check out these other posts by clicking on each title below-
Adding a Fresh Lavender Tree To Your Home.
The best outdoor home improvement projects to tackle in the spring.
Design ideas for a narrow hallway.
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee Paint Review.
The best cream wall paint colors.
Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige Paint Review.
A few more things…
Design lovers! Have you joined our fun and VERY helpful design Facebook group?
In this group – members share photos with their design questions and dilemmas from their own home. We all chime in with our best advice!
It’s also great for sourcing hard to find items and pieces.
Lastly, to help you even further with your home projects, download my FREE DESIGN CHEAT SHEET, it’s loaded with all sorts of quick tips and handy measurements.
Sign up below to grab this, I know you’re going to find it super helpful!
WHERE TO BUY A BEAUTIFUL DOOR KNOCKER:
Top image via @elanaloo
*This post contains affiliate links. This means if you click a link and purchase something, I may get a small commission from it at no cost to you. For more info, please read my disclaimer and privacy policy. I only refer things that I truly love and hope you will too!
How did you achieve the high-gloss paint on your front door? Thanks
Using a very high gloss paint. You can ask for this at any paint/hardware store.
Sue, Are you related to Sue DeChiara from Chatham, N.J. My friend introduced me to her many, many years ago and she was a decorator as well.
No, I didn’t even know there was another Sue De Chiara!:)
Love your site! Have purchased many items. Would appreciate a post on front door handles for a double door.
Thanks,
Laurene
Thanks Laurene! Great idea for a post.Sue
It is a tradition in my family for the parents to give their children a special door knocker for their first home. As they move to each new home, they take the door knocker to the new home as a family blessing on that home. My husband and I received our first one, 46 years ago and it has made 3 moves at this point. Each of our children have received theirs as our blessing on their homes.
I LOVE this! What a great idea, what a special tradition, thanks for sharing!