What Is A Dummy Doorknob Handle? (Find Out Now)

Gary Evans
by Gary Evans

The best types of home décor nail even the finest details. Even small elements of your overall design scheme can make a big difference. You can do a lot to improve the look and feel of any room by adding seemingly minor design elements. Door knobs are decorative elements you should consider adding if you want to elevate your home design. Dummy door knobs in particular work great in that role.

Dummy door knobs are mainly used for decorative purposes. They feature no moving parts, but you can grab on to them if need be. Some dummy door knob sets include only one knob or handle while others include a full set of hardware.

Add a decorative flourish to your home by installing a dummy doorknob. See if the aforementioned piece of hardware can work well inside your home by continuing with this article.

What You Need to Know about the Dummy Doorknob

The standard doorknob has two main jobs. First off, it’s supposed to make doors easier to use. Its other job is to offer some kind of security as it can be used to make a room inaccessible. If you’re getting an added bit of design flourish from the doorknob, that’s usually a bonus. Dummy door knobs are different though.

The main reason why people install dummy door knobs is that they want to introduce a new decorative element. Add it to one of your doors and instantly make it more visually intriguing.

You can also use a dummy door knob to tie the look of a given room together. If you’re featuring metallic elements throughout a specific room, the door may look out of place if it’s completely bare. Do something about that quickly by adding a dummy doorknob.

Dummy door knobs come in all kinds of designs and styles. That’s because manufacturers have to deal with fewer restrictions when making them. Manufacturers don’t have to worry about how they will keep the doorknob functional as they continually add decorative elements. The aforementioned door knobs don’t feature any functional parts at all. You cannot even turn a dummy doorknob.

Dummy door knobs certainly have limitations. Still, that doesn’t mean you cannot find a way to make good use of them inside your home.

Dummy Doorknob Uses

Even without any working parts, a dummy door knob can still prove to be a useful addition to your home. Highlighted below are some of our favorite ways to use dummy doorknobs.

Completing Double and French Doors

Double doors and French doors work as eye-catching additions to most homes. They work best as entry points to your home or perhaps to your backyard. Since most double and French doors are made using glass, they can allow that wonderful natural lighting into your home.

The aforementioned doors are known for being big. That’s why they are usually accompanied by proportionally large door knobs or door handles. You don’t really need both of those doorknobs to be functional though.

Being able to open and close only one doorknob will suffice. It even makes sense since you’ll be able to save money by installing a single functional doorknob. The only downside here is that the whole door set will look incomplete with just a single doorknob visible.

This is where the dummy door knob comes in. Instead of spending extra to get another functional doorknob installed, you can just add a dummy doorknob. They are inexpensive and you can probably find one that matches what you already have installed.

After spending so much on your new double doors, it would be nice to save a bit of money. You can do that by installing a dummy doorknob.

Making Cabinets, Closets, and Pantries Easier to Access

Do you have large cabinets, closets, or pantries at home? If you do, how do you make them more accessible? Some homeowners will install handles on the cabinet, closet, or pantry doors. Handles can certainly get the job done and they are useful, hassle-free additions.

Others may not add any accessories at all. They may just open the closet door from up top, underneath, or via a small groove carved into it. That approach works fine as well, but you’re missing out.

You have an opportunity to elevate your home décor by doing something more with those doors. Capitalize on that by installing some dummy doorknobs.

The dummy doorknobs will round out the look of your cabinets, closets, and pantries better. They also come in handy if you’re storing plenty of items. You can just bump the doorknob open while holding the items in your hands.

Accessorizing Interior Doors

Also, consider adding dummy doorknobs to other interior doors that lead to group spaces inside your home. If you have a door going from your living to your kitchen, you can install a dummy door knob there. Stainless steel door knobs work well on doors heading into the kitchen.

You can install a dummy door knob on any door that isn’t leading to a private or dangerous space. Pick out a beautiful doorknob and turn it into a positive addition.

The Two Types of Dummy Doorknob Sets

If you’ve decided to install dummy doorknobs, you will have to choose between purchasing either full or half sets. Learn more about how those sets differ in the upcoming sections.

Full Dummy Doorknob Sets

Full dummy door knob sets come with all the pieces you’d expect to see on front door hardware. You’re getting the doorknob, a door handle, and even a faux locking mechanism in some sets.

Using a full dummy door knob set is ideal if you want to accessorize your double or French doors. They will match up well with the genuine set of hardware that you have installed on the other side.

Half Dummy Doorknob Sets

In contrast to the full set, a half dummy door knob set typically contains the only piece of hardware. You’re either getting a single doorknob or handle.

Using a half dummy set should suffice if you just want to decorate the cabinet, closet, or pantry doors. Half dummy door knob sets are also cheaper.

How to Install Dummy Doorknobs

Dummy door knobs are remarkably easy to install. Regardless of experience level, you can complete this project with no issue as long as you have some basic tools.

Step 1: Get the Required Tools Ready

To start the installation of the dummy door knob, prepare a tape measure, a marker, a drill, and a screwdriver. You’ll also need a drill bit that’s about the same size as the screws included with the doorknob set.

Step 2: Mark the Spots for Drilling

Grab your tape measure and look for the point on the door that’s 36 inches off the ground. Once you’ve found the right spot, note its location with the marker. Make sure to mark as many holes as the dummy door knob hardware will need. Most dummy door knobs will need at least two holes.

You don’t actually have to install the dummy door knob three feet up from the ground. We’re just doing that because we want the dummy knobs to look like the other doorknobs we have installed. If you want to set it lower or higher, you’re free to do so.

Step 3: Drill the Holes

Proceed by placing the appropriately sized drill bit in your power tool. Next, start burrowing into the door.

Be careful while drilling though. You do not want to drill through to the other side. All you want is to create holes that are deep enough for the door knob’s screws.

Step 4: Install the Cover Plate on the Door

Take the cover plate for the dummy door knob now and position it over the holes. After that, replace the drill bit with the screw included in the doorknob set.

Get the cover plate into the right position, then secure it by drilling the screws in. Continue drilling until all the screws are in place.

Step 5: Add the Doorknob

To finish up, you just have to add the doorknob to the hardware. Place the doorknob over the appropriate spot and hold it there.

Now, look for a hole close to the doorknob and place a screw there. Pick up your screwdriver and start locking the doorknob into position. Some sets have two holes for the dummy door knob so make sure to fill both of them.


Related Questions

Can You Install a Dummy Doorknob on a Door with an Existing Hole?

Yes, installing a dummy doorknob on a pre-bored door is possible. You just have to cover up the hole first.Use either metal cover plates or small pieces of wood to cover the hole. With the hole covered, you can proceed to install the dummy doorknob.

What’s the Difference between Dummy and Passage Doorknobs?

Dummy and passage doorknobs are similar in the sense that they have no locking mechanisms. The big difference is that passage door knobs feature a latch. The latch helps keep the door closed although it can still be opened by simply turning the passage knob.

Gary Evans
Gary Evans

Gary Evans is passionate about home improvement. He loves finding out how to make improvements in the easiest, most practical, and most affordable ways. Upgrading his home kitchen is one of his ongoing hobbies. Gary is also a long-time content creator and enjoys spending his free time tending to his hydroponic vegetable garden.

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