Nothing describes the character of a home quite like its front door design. It's monumental in terms of first impressions – but perhaps even more important than the door itself is the mounted knocker, a valuable focal point in its own right. Nearly every culture in the world carries its own traditions and regional variations on this functional detail, and today's options are wider and more expressive than ever. If you're looking for a housewarming gift or a new addition to complete your entryway, this list offers 40 ideas in a variety of styles and for every budget. We hope you'll find a design that makes you fall in love with your home all over again.
Fleur De Lis Door Knocker
Cast iron construction takes on classic rusty patina for a doorknocker that demonstrates a strong illusion of age. This knocker is a great choice for anyone who wants to match the era of an older home or has adopted a traditional style during a renovation.
Octopus Door Knocker
Definitely unique! If you're looking to set your home apart from the neighbors, this octopus is ready to impress. An anchor-shaped mount and verdigris patina solidify the nautical theme, great for a beach house or as a way to bring the ocean right to your inland front door.
Steampunk Style Octopus Door Knocker
Even if you're not quite ready to express your love for steampunk style to neighborhood (or if the homeowner's association would have something to say about it), its lightweight construction makes it equally appropriate to mount to interior doors or large cabinets.
Whale Tail Bronze Door Knocker
Solid bronze construction boasts a rich oiled finish that brings this whale door knocker to life. This might also make a nice housewarming gift for a fan of mermaids or dolphins. If are into mermaids, do check out our post on mermaid home decor where we feature some gorgeous mermaid themed items.
Sea Turtle Door Knocker
Just look at that brilliant finish! This turtle-shaped knocker feels reminiscent of Victorian and even Art Deco era styles, a gorgeous vintage style addition to any modern or traditional home. It's a good medium size at 6 inches tall by 4 inches wide, and weighs a modest yet sturdy 1 pound for versatile mounting needs.
Cast Iron Sea Horse Door Knocker
Loving the nautical selections? We're not even halfway finished! This one is expertly finished with a verdigris patina that makes it look like it weathered many cool mornings attached to a beachside bungalow.
Crab Door Knocker
Nobody else in the neighborhood will have a door knocker like this one. It is important to note that some of the reviewers mention the linked model no longer uses the same colors yet the beautiful casting details remain unchanged. Thankfully, because the knocker is solid brass, an experienced DIY enthusiast could easily replicate the beautiful hues and patina as pictured.
Horseshoe Crab Door Knocker
Here's a contemporary take on the nautical door knocker theme. This horseshoe crab boasts a minimalistic form and a smooth nickel finish, very well suited to modern home exteriors or even industrial applications.
Brass Clamshell Door Knocker
Crafted by hand in exquisite detail, this Michael Healy design is a classic that can enhance a variety of exterior styles. It's also small enough to work indoors – like on a bathroom door, for example – at just a little under 4x4 inches in size.
Brass Anchor Door Knocker
And finally, here's the last nautical door knocker on the list. This one is cast in gorgeous, bright, gleaming solid brass for high quality discernable at a glance. It's impossible to ignore from any angle.
Ladybug Door Knocker
Here's another design from Michael Healy, this time shaped like a playful ladybug. Each Michael Healy doorknocker arrives in a stylish package signed by the artist so it makes a wonderful high-quality housewarming gift for friends who appreciate the finer things in life.
Golden Fleur De Lis Door Knocker
Available in brass, bronze, or nickel silver, this smoother and more refined fleur-de-lis knocker would be more suited to a modern home. It's a nice way to add a touch of glamor without sacrificing practicality or elegance. If you are interested in the fleur de lis style, do check out our post: Fleur De Lis Home Decor, where we cover everything about this symbol.
Black Cast Iron Door Knocker
Dark door knockers have a way to exerting an unforgettable presence without stealing attention from other beautiful elements that may surround, like an antique door or decorative transom window. This classic cast iron knocker is subtle yet impressively detailed.
Poland Coat of Arms Brass Door Knocker
Whether you're homesick or just looking for a way to acknowledge your family's heritage, this coat of arms door knocker is a stylish solution. The removable greeting plate says "welcome" on one side, and its Polish translation ("witamy") on the other.
Key Door Knocker
Welcome friends and family with the knowledge that the key to your home is a simple rap at the door. This heavy cast iron knocker has vintage charm in theme and finish alike.
Brass Pinecone Door Knocker
Absolutely gorgeous, understated, and quality from top to bottom, this pinecone door knocker brings to mind the sounds and aromas of a cottage in the woods. It's a work of art befitting the finest of entryways.
Acorn Door Knocker
While the newest Ice Age movie leads Scrat all the way to outer space in search of an elusive acorn, this door knocker will simply transport your guests to a warm and welcoming environment among friends – certainly a happy ending.
Pineapple Door Knocker
Are you familiar with the history of the "welcome pineapple?" The fruit itself was once rare in Europe and colonial America, making for an elaborate and gracious gift to treasured guests. The tradition lives on as a bright and sunny decorative motif, such as this handcrafted brass knocker.
Door Knocker With Viewer
It's not easy to find these! This piece is a combination of a one-way peephole and a knocker. The knocker is constructed from smooth dark brushed brass, a choice that combines the best of tradition and modernism.
Personalized Door Knocker
If you're looking for an irreplaceable housewarming or wedding gift that will endure as an heirloom for generations to come, this solid brass knocker is a good candidate. All three lines are customizable to suit the recipient.
Horse Door Knocker
Enthusiasts of all things equine know that horses are inherently elegant, but the heavy brass construction and gold finish of this knocker really take this piece to the next level. Cast brass ensures a long life and potential to become a cherished heirloom.
Antique Tuscan Door Knocker
Age-old foundry techniques bring this cast iron door knocker to life. Weighing in at almost 8 pounds, this piece is just as heavy as one would expect from the authentic aesthetic – and the verdigris bronze finish helps further the illusion of historicity.
Cast Iron Green Man Door Knocker
Sized at 11 inches tall and 6 inches across, this heavy cast iron knocker is sure to draw glances and compliments from every guest. It's impossible to ignore! Each green man knocker is hand-finished to suit antique and classic front doors.
Skull Jaw Knocker
Whether you're looking for a seasonal piece to scare trick-or-treaters on Halloween or maintain a love for the dark and gothic all year long, this skull is a neat addition to spooky front doors. Sturdy cast iron construction ensures endurance and impressive heft.
Hand Door Knocker
This elegant style, traditionally known as the Hand of Fatima, would suit darker Victorian exteriors but would look great on any front door or garden gate. It's relatively light for a strong cast iron knocker, but that just makes it all the more suitable for lighter mounting applications.
Chinese Lion Door Knocker
Stylized like a traditional Chinese guardian lion (sometimes called a foo dog in reference to lion-like canine breeds), this door knocker serves as a symbol of protection and good fortune. It weighs up to three pounds and is constructed from polished polyresin.
Dragon Door Knocker
Fans of fantasy series like Game of Thrones are sure to love this one. This menacing dragon is the perfect finishing touch for a game room, home theater, or even the front door. The detail is incredible, and the price is hard to pass up. If dragons are your thing, don't forget to check out our post on dragon home decor.
Wolf Door Knocker
At a pound and a half, this knocker is light enough for interior applications as well as outdoor use. If you're a Game of Thrones fan, this piece easily lets guests know they're about to enter the territory of House Stark. Do check our Game of Thrones Decor post if you are GoT fan, btw.
Fox Door Knocker
A bit of applied oxidation makes this cast iron knocker perfect for rustic or cottage homes. Like the clever fox itself, this piece has a whimsical sense of mystery sure to capture the imagination of visitors.
Bulldog Door Knocker
Loyal companions to their families, bulldogs are a proud and dependable breed worthy of guarding the entrance to a fine home. This cast iron knocker would make a wonderful gift for a bully owner, or anyone who simply favors these adorably serious canines.
Celtic Green Man Door Knocker
Make springtime a permanent fixture in your residence with this representation of the mythical Green Man, a vegetative motif with roots that span cultures and centuries. It's a throwback to classic architecture yet works wonders to bring color to the modern entryway.
Antiqued Finish North American Moose Door Knocker
Beautiful! Whether you're looking for a door knocker for a traditional lodge or cabin, or just want something out of the ordinary, this 4-pound cast iron moose head will add unforgettable personality to any front door.
Elephant Door Knocker
This door knocker is fun to look at and even more fun to use. This statement piece stands at 10 inches from head to trunk, and 8 inches from ear to ear – it's the perfect final touch for any large and dramatic door.
Hindu God Ganesha Door Knocker
Ganesha is revered as the remover of obstacles and as the patron of arts and intellect. What a beautiful way to represent your home! It's a spiritual, elegant, and mindful choice for any exterior.
Lion Door Knocker
When it comes to door knockers, it's hard to find a style more recognizable than the classic lion's head. This iconic form dates to ancient Greece and possibly even earlier, appearing all over the world throughout the ages.
Medieval Lion Head Door Knocker
Here's another lion's head knocker, this time with a more subtle medallion-like shape. The knocker is heavy and nearly 8x8 inches across, sure to capture the imagination of guests impressed by the fierce guardian that protects your door.
Black Swan Door Knocker
This black swan certainly isn't your average door knocker choice. It has a mysterious personality to it, deep and peaceful and certainly appropriate for the door of a stately lakeside home.
Brass Woodpecker Door Knocker
Real woodpeckers can delight or annoy depending on one's appreciation for the sounds of nature, but the rap of this fanciful bird will bring smiles every time. It has an intricate arts-and-craft vibe well suited to creative home exteriors.
Bat Door Knocker
Its quality materials and historical flair of this bat-shaped knocker ensure it won't remind guests of Halloween too much – at least not until the appropriate season rolls around. And that adorable face is irresistible! Bat fans don't often have many options for home decor, so this piece fills an important niche.
Dragonfly Door Knocker
Quality materials and stunning detail make Michael Healy door knockers stand out from the rest. This enchanting dragonfly design is available in solid brass, bronze, or nickel silver to suit any exterior theme you might want to embrace.
