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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.
12 Unique Door Knockers To Zhush Up Your Entryway
Talking all about unique 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.
Our brass lion head door knocker on our front door. I think it makes a beautiful and impressive statement, don’t you?
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!
4. Shell Door Knocker or Coastal Theme Knockers
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!
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.
9-12. Truly unique door knockers
I’ve found some really unusual and cool door knockers over on Etsy.
Here’s four a thought were worth sharing here:
A floral wreath with a bumble bee knocker, a dragon fly door knocker, a beautiful brass bird knocker, and a charming acorn door knocker.
FAQS
About 4.5 to 5 feet from the ground, centered horizontally on the door. That’s eye level for most visitors, so it’s easy to see and reach.
Below it. If your door has a peephole, hang the knocker underneath so the two don’t compete, and skip the combo knocker with viewer if you can. Separate hardware always looks better.
Scale it to your door. A standard door is 36 inches wide, so this suits a knocker around 6 to 8 inches tall. Go bigger and bolder on a double door or a grand entry; anything smaller than 5 inches tends to disappear.
Yes, but it’s trickier than wood. You may need separate mounting hardware made for metal or steel doors, so check the listing before you buy, not every knocker includes it.
Solid brass is the classic for a reason: it weathers beautifully and develops a lovely patina. For a coastal home, brass or bronze holds up best; iron and black finishes give a more rustic or modern look.
A quick polish with a brass cleaner will bring back the shine. If you prefer the aged look, leave it alone, unlacquered brass darkens naturally over time, which is part of it’s charm.
Mostly, yes…but that’s really the whole point. They are the jewelry of the house, a small detail that sets the tone for your whole entryway and makes a first impression before anyone steps inside.
Absolutely. A pineapple knocker is the classic choice, as the pineapple has long been associated as symbol of hospitality, so it’s a gift with meaning built in.
Additional Home Decor Ideas
If you’re looking for even home design ideas and inspiration, be sure to check out these other posts by clicking on each title below-
The top 10 most popular paint colors for your kitchen cabinets.
Should you paint your trim color the same color as your walls.
Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace Paint Review
Top Organized Pantry Ideas and Inspiration From The Pros.
Last, but not least of all…
Design lovers! Have you joined our fun and VERY helpful design Facebook group?
In this group – members share their own photos with specific design questions and dilemmas from their homes and spaces.
Everyone chimes in with their best advice!
We also spill our favorite design sources and tips – it’s SO great for hunting down 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.
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!