{"id":2839,"date":"2025-04-14T20:30:24","date_gmt":"2025-04-14T20:30:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dreammaker-remodel.com\/colorado-springs\/2025\/04\/14\/fixit-files-ditch-the-door-knobs-for-handles\/"},"modified":"2026-08-31T18:54:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T18:54:45","slug":"fixit-files-ditch-the-door-knobs-for-handles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dreammaker-remodel.com\/colorado-springs\/blog\/fixit-files-ditch-the-door-knobs-for-handles\/","title":{"rendered":"FixIt Files: Ditch the Door Knobs for Handles"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Ever tried opening a door with full hands, like a grocery bag in one arm and your toddler in the other? You end up doing this awkward elbow-twist-shoulder-bump move that looks like bad interpretive dance. If that sounds familiar, it might be time to say goodbye to those old-school round doorknobs and upgrade to lever handles.<\/p>\n<p>Lever handles are a small change that makes a <em>big<\/em> difference\u2014especially for anyone with arthritis, mobility challenges, or just plain busy hands. They\u2019re easier to grab, easier to push down, and honestly just feel way more modern. Plus, they look sharp!<\/p>\n<p>The swap is super DIY-friendly. Most lever handles are designed to fit the same holes as your existing knobs. Just unscrew the old hardware, pop in the new handle, make sure it\u2019s facing the right direction (nobody likes an upside-down lever), and boom\u2014instant upgrade.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What You\u2019ll Need:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"516\" data-end=\"690\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"516\" data-end=\"540\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"518\" data-end=\"540\">Phillips screwdriver<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"541\" data-end=\"629\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"543\" data-end=\"629\">New lever-style door handle (make sure it matches your door\u2019s thickness and handing)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"630\" data-end=\"690\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"632\" data-end=\"690\">Optional: flathead screwdriver, measuring tape, or drill<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr class=\"\" data-start=\"692\" data-end=\"695\" \/>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"697\" data-end=\"730\">\ud83d\udee0 Step-by-Step Instructions:<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"732\" data-end=\"969\"><strong data-start=\"732\" data-end=\"758\">1. Remove the old knob<\/strong><br data-start=\"758\" data-end=\"761\" \/>Start by unscrewing the two screws on the interior side of the knob (usually hidden behind a cover plate or located on the face). Once the screws are out, the knob will come apart from both sides of the door.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"971\" data-end=\"1113\"><strong data-start=\"971\" data-end=\"996\">2. Take out the latch<\/strong><br data-start=\"996\" data-end=\"999\" \/>With the knobs off, unscrew the latch plate on the edge of the door and slide the latch mechanism out. Easy peasy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1115\" data-end=\"1426\"><strong data-start=\"1115\" data-end=\"1135\">3. Check the fit<\/strong><br data-start=\"1135\" data-end=\"1138\" \/>Make sure your new lever handle fits the existing holes. Most modern handles are designed to work with standard door prep (typically a 2-3\/8&#8243; or 2-3\/4&#8243; backset and a 2-1\/8&#8243; face bore). If not, you may need to adjust the hole size or latch positioning\u2014but in most cases, you&#8217;re good to go!<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1428\" data-end=\"1629\"><strong data-start=\"1428\" data-end=\"1456\">4. Install the new latch<\/strong><br data-start=\"1456\" data-end=\"1459\" \/>Insert the new latch mechanism into the side of the door, making sure the beveled side faces the direction the door closes. Screw it into place using the provided screws.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1631\" data-end=\"2022\"><strong data-start=\"1631\" data-end=\"1661\">5. Attach the lever handle<\/strong><br data-start=\"1661\" data-end=\"1664\" \/>Align the exterior and interior handles with the holes, making sure any spindle or bar fits through the latch mechanism. Secure them together using the included screws.<br data-start=\"1832\" data-end=\"1835\" \/>\ud83d\udcdd <em data-start=\"1838\" data-end=\"1844\">Tip:<\/em> Some lever handles are \u201chanded,\u201d meaning they\u2019re made specifically for left- or right-swing doors. Many models are reversible\u2014check the instructions to flip the lever if needed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2024\" data-end=\"2208\"><strong data-start=\"2024\" data-end=\"2042\">6. Test it out<\/strong><br data-start=\"2042\" data-end=\"2045\" \/>Before tightening everything down completely, give it a test\u2014open, close, lock (if applicable). Make sure everything moves smoothly and the latch engages properly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2210\" data-end=\"2378\"><strong data-start=\"2210\" data-end=\"2244\">7. Secure and admire your work<\/strong><br data-start=\"2244\" data-end=\"2247\" \/>Tighten up all screws, wipe down any fingerprints, and give yourself a high five. Your door is now easier to use and looking fresh!<\/p>\n<hr class=\"\" data-start=\"2380\" data-end=\"2383\" \/>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"2385\" data-end=\"2401\">\ud83d\udc4c Pro Tips:<\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"2402\" data-end=\"2822\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2402\" data-end=\"2497\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2404\" data-end=\"2497\">Lever handles are great for aging-in-place design\u2014consider using them throughout your home.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2498\" data-end=\"2623\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2500\" data-end=\"2623\">Want a uniform look? Choose a finish and style that complements your other hardware (think: hinges, cabinet pulls, etc.).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2624\" data-end=\"2822\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2626\" data-end=\"2822\">Not sure which direction your door swings? Stand facing the door on the side that opens <em data-start=\"2714\" data-end=\"2722\">toward<\/em> you. If the hinges are on your right, it\u2019s a right-hand door. Hinges on your left = left-hand door.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr class=\"\" data-start=\"2824\" data-end=\"2827\" \/>\n<p><strong>Top Picks We Love:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Schlage Latitude Lever<\/strong> \u2013 sleek, classy, and smooth as butter<\/li>\n<li><strong>Kwikset Halifax Lever<\/strong> \u2013 great for a modern vibe and super comfy to use<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Want help picking the right style for your space? DreamMaker\u2019s got your back\u2014we\u2019re just a phone call away.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ever tried opening a door with full hands, like a grocery bag in one arm and your toddler in the other? You end up doing this awkward elbow-twist-shoulder-bump move that looks like bad interpretive dance. If that sounds familiar, it might be time to say goodbye to those old-school round doorknobs and upgrade to lever [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":2934,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_metasync_otto_title":"","_metasync_otto_description":"","_metasync_otto_keywords":"","_metasync_otto_canonical":"","_metasync_metakeywords":"","_metasync_otto_og_title":"","_metasync_otto_og_description":"","_metasync_otto_twitter_title":"","_metasync_otto_twitter_description":"","_metasync_seo_title":"","_metasync_seo_desc":"","_metasync_breadcrumb_title":"","_metasync_primary_category":0,"_metasync_primary_product_cat":0,"_metasync_imported_seo_title":"","_metasync_imported_seo_desc":"","_metasync_otto_disabled":"","_metasync_hreflang":"","_metasync_plugin_sync_ts":"","_metasync_robots_advanced":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[52,19],"tags":[156],"class_list":["post-2839","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-accessible-remodeling","category-home-remodeling","tag-fixit-files"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreammaker-remodel.com\/colorado-springs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2839","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreammaker-remodel.com\/colorado-springs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreammaker-remodel.com\/colorado-springs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreammaker-remodel.com\/colorado-springs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreammaker-remodel.com\/colorado-springs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2839"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dreammaker-remodel.com\/colorado-springs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2839\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4935,"href":"https:\/\/dreammaker-remodel.com\/colorado-springs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2839\/revisions\/4935"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreammaker-remodel.com\/colorado-springs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2934"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreammaker-remodel.com\/colorado-springs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2839"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreammaker-remodel.com\/colorado-springs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2839"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreammaker-remodel.com\/colorado-springs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2839"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}