Door Hinges & Handles: Black vs. Satin Nickel

[Anonymous]

Our new house in McLean is under construction, and it's time to select the interior door hinges and handles. The style of the house leans modern but not overly contemporary, with black windows and no grills.
Should we go with black or satin nickel for the door hardware? Which option is more popular right now?

[Anonymous]

Personally I would choose satin nickel because I don't like the current black and white everything trend. It's boring and stark and not to my taste.

[Anonymous]

I used black on our new front door. It is really hard to tell if the deadbolt is in the locked position unless I get close and have light. Nickel will be much easier to see if the locks on any handles are set.

[Anonymous]

Brass is classic.
Pewter is pretty good too.
The very contemporary finishes are good for hospitals and corporate offices.

[Anonymous]

I would choose matte black or unlacquered brass, depending on the style of the house. Satin nickel is more dated, but pick whatever you like.

We have a 1920's home with original black hardware. The black just sort of blends with everything. You can mix it with chrome, brass, or brushed gold for light fixtures and accessories.

[Anonymous]

Definitely black. Nickel is dated by about 15-20 years already.

[Anonymous]

Entirely depends on the house I guess. My house is amcontemporary and black would look completely awful. So I have nickel contemporary levers.

[Anonymous]

I like black door hardware but don’t use it everywhere else, esp in kitchen. Mix in satin nickel, polished chrome, brass for faucets, fixtures, and knobs/pulls.

[Anonymous]

Somewhat price point dependent.


I like

satin brass
polished nickel

and if high end traditional Interior unlacquered brass.

Never liked oil rubbed bronze.

I believe both satin nickel and black will be dated and would avoid.

Hardware has gotten quite expensive so I would be conservative in my selection.

If you have the budget Classic Brass out of upstate NY makes very nice hardware.

[Anonymous]

Nickel blend in better. This is classic look.
Black pop out.

[Anonymous]

Satin nickel looks builder grade. Go with polished nickel for a timeless look.

[Anonymous]

Matter of taste.

Main thing to be concerned about are the screws. Most builders and construction only use 3/4" screws and they will loosen.

Use 2-3" screws of appropriate size, usually #9 screws, and have them either match the hinge finish, or compliment it.

[Anonymous]

Chrome
Satin nickel
Nickel

Not a fan of the black fixtures, accents and hinges.

[Anonymous]

Do what you like. I'm not a fan of the black hardware, and in a few years it will date your now new home, just like the gold or the polished nickel. Do what you like, a the future homeowner will change to what they like

[Anonymous]

Brushed nickel is a nice option, too.