Restoring an Old Home? - 7 Essential Hardware Pieces to Get Right
Restoring a historic home is more than replacing paint and trim—it’s about honoring the craftsmanship that made these homes special. And few details speak louder than the hardware on your doors, windows, and cabinets.
If you're creating your home restoration checklist, these 7 antique hardware must-haves are essential to get right. Each one affects how your home looks, feels, and functions—and together, they tell the story of your space.
Let’s walk through the hardware pieces that can make or break the authenticity of your restoration project.
1. Door Knobs: The Focal Point of Every Room
The door knob is often the first thing a guest touches in your home. In vintage homes, knobs weren’t just functional—they were decorative, period-defining pieces.
- Victorian homes favored ornate glass or brass knobs
- Craftsman homes featured simple bronze or iron
- Mid-century homes used clean-lined Bakelite or brushed steel
Pro Tip: Match the knob style to your home's original era and pair with a compatible spindle and backplate.
2. Backplates and Rosettes: Subtle but Significant
These pieces sit behind the knob and define the silhouette of your hardware. Skipping them—or choosing the wrong ones—can make restored doors feel incomplete.
- Choose stamped brass rosettes for late 1800s homes
- Go for oversized, geometric backplates for Art Deco designs
- Use plain circular or square rosettes for a minimalist, early 20th-century look
Bundle & Save: We offer matched sets of knobs and backplates to simplify the process.
3. Mortise Locks: Secure & Period-Correct
Original doors often used mortise lock systems—rectangular mechanisms that fit into a pocket cut into the edge of the door.
- Many homes still have the original mortise case but are missing trim or keys
- Authentic vintage replacements are available—or you can retrofit modern internals with vintage faces
Make it Work: Be sure your backset measurements match—mortise locks vary widely.
4. Hinges: Often Overlooked, Always Important
Period-correct hinges are critical to function and form. They often included:
- Decorative finials or embossed leaf patterns
- Different sizes and thicknesses than today’s hardware
- Matching finishes to knobs and backplates
Why It Matters: Modern hinges may not align with old mortises—measure carefully or shop by style and size.
5. Strike Plates: The Finishing Touch You Didn’t Know You Needed
Strike plates protect the door frame and ensure the latch seats correctly. While often overlooked, antique strike plates:
- Complete the aesthetic consistency
- Often came in matched styles with knobs and locks
- May differ in dimensions from modern strikes
6. Window Hardware: Elevate Function and Curb Appeal
Old windows aren’t just about glass—they’re architectural elements. Look for:
- Sash lifts and locks in aged brass or bronze
Style Note: Matching your window hardware to your door hardware creates continuity throughout the home.
7. Cabinet Hardware: Small Scale, Big Impact
Kitchens, bathrooms, and built-ins often get neglected in hardware upgrades—but these spaces offer the easiest wins.
- Use solid brass knobs or porcelain pulls for period-correct touches
- Replace cheap reproduction handles with authentic salvaged pieces
- Consider matching sets to keep styling cohesive
It’s All in the Details
Each of these seven elements contributes to a restoration that feels intentional, authentic, and complete. Choosing the right hardware is more than a design choice—it’s a commitment to craftsmanship.
At Antique Hardware Company, we specialize in original, salvaged, and period-correct hardware that’s ready for your restoration project. With our AI image matching tool, you can upload photos of existing pieces and find exact or stylistic matches in seconds.
Build Your Bundle: Start with our Antique Door Hardware Sets, then add matching Mortise Locks, Hinges, and Cabinet Hardware to complete your home restoration checklist.