How to Choose Decorative Bifold Closet Door Knobs and Handles

Bifold-door hardware influences their look and function.

Bifold closet doors often take up a whole wall, so keep them in mind as part of your overall decor. Adding the right decorative knobs or hanles can help tie the closet folding doors in with the rest of the room.

Things You'll Need

• Color swatches and/or paint samples
• Sample of existing hardware

Instructions

1. Note the wall color and closet-door color. If you have dark walls and bright white doors, it helps to choose closet knobs that match the wall color. If your doors and wall are the same color or shade, choose a matching color and simple knob so that it all blends together.

2. Match the knob or handle finish to the finish of the other furniture and accessories in the room. If the room has a mix of finishes, choose the predominant color, or perhaps choose something that matches the finish of the door so that it blends together.

3. Keep with the style or theme of the room. If you have Victorian furniture, choose ornate and jeweled or basket weave designs. If it's a child's room, look for bright painted knobs or theme-shaped handles, such as cars, animals or flowers.

4. Bring paint chips or fabric swatches when you visit the store to be sure the knobs or handles won't clash with your current colors, especially if you're opting for colored hardware.

5. Consider the user. If the bedroom is a guest room, ornate handles are no problem. If it's a closet you use every day, consider getting handles that are easy to grab hold of. For a child's room, go with handles that are safe and ease to use.

6. Check the price. Items available for immediate purchase in the store will generally be the least expensive option. Special order knobs will offer you a wider range of options but will cost more.

7. Visit more than one store to see all the available options for decorative closet door knobs and handles. Online retailers provide additional choices.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring a sample of your existing hardware to the store. Not all decorative handles and knobs come in the same sizes, so you want to be sure to choose the right one. If there is no existing hardware, measure the thickness of the closet door for knobs. Measure the distance between the screw holes to get the proper closet handle size.

• Don't forget about shipping charges if ordering online.

• On-line photographs may not provide an accurate shade of the item.

• Ornate knobs and handles may be difficult to clean.

• Square knobs give a clean look to closet doors. However, closet knobs do tend to rotate when used, and the straight lines make it obvious when they are crooked.