Tips on choosing the right door hardware for your period house

The first thing to consider is when your house was built.  Does it fit easily into a defined architectural period such as the Victorian era from approximately 1840 to 1890?  If so, can you narrow the style down further into early, mid or late-Victorian?  What hardware finish do you like - polished brass, antique brass, antique copper, polished chrome, etc.?  Are you replacing all the hardware in your house?  If not, be guided in your choice of finish by what's already there. 

Door Knobs and Lever Handles

When choosing between door knobs and lever handles, provided they're original, consider the style of doors that are in your period home.  For example, if you have traditional 3-panel doors, you would normally choose a knob on a backplate like this (Edwardian Door Knob in Antique Copper) .  In the past, knobs were used on 3-panel doors and not lever handles and the hardware was designed to go on the stile of the door at the height of the intermediate rail.
 

Ideally, your choice of restoration hardware should complement the architectural style and age of your house, but at the end of the day, remember it's also important that you like it!