After disappearing from doors during the last century, interior experts are predicting that in-keeping with the rise in maximalist design, finger plates are back in vogue.
Also known as ‘push plates’, they cover the part of a door that’s likeliest to be touched when someone pushes it open and have historically been made of brass or ceramic and featured ornate designs.
But, it's not just about aesthetics for this particular piece of hardware, which is why they've become a key feature our expert DIYer's Victorian renovation. A finger plate possesses a function: it protects the door from getting dirty or wearing away, which can occur due to friction and repeated contact with sweat and oils from skin.
Why are they becoming popular again?
“Finger plates are making a comeback because of the maximalism trend in interiors,” explains Sarah Willshaw, managing director of Willow & Stone. “People want to put lots of design back into their homes, and finger plates provide a way to express your taste and add detail.
“Designers would often use finger plates as a vehicle to express their taste,” she continues, "partly as the aesthetic movement in the late 19th century had a strapline: ‘art for art’s sake’. Items like finger plates of may have had functionality, but designers could still incorporate a beautiful design."
And, despite their ornate appearance, they were also accessible in terms of price as they were usually thin and formed from a very thin sheet of pressed brass over a wooden mould. “They were cheap to produce and lightweight, but the design could still be fairly detailed,” Sarah explains. “The designs you’ll see will often be organic, leafy or floral – something like a tulip."
As finger plates are also often made from brass – an antimicrobial material – they have the added advantage of being able to limit the spread of germs between people, something that may be an advantage if you are building a home for a young family, or even a lifetime home.
Sarah Willshaw, founded Willow & Stone in 2005. The business sells homewares and ironmongery items online and from its shop in Falmouth, Cornwall. Willow & Stone's range of traditional finger plates is shown in the main image at the top of this article.
How to choose fingerplates for your home
According to Beth Dale, hardware buying manager at B&Q, the best finger plate to choose will depend on both the door itself and the wider design scheme.
“First, consider the size of the plate and make sure it is proportionate to the door and handle,” she says. “It’s also worth checking how the plate is fixed, as screw-fixed options tend to offer a more traditional, permanent solution, while adhesive options can be useful where drilling isn’t desirable.
“Also, when choosing a style, consider the other hardware in the room,” she adds. “Matching the finish of the finger plate with the door handle, hinges and other metal details can create a more cohesive look, while mixing finishes can work well for a more contemporary or eclectic interior.”
Another type of door furniture that you might consider adding to an internal door is a kick plate, continues Beth. “As the name suggests, kick plates protect the lower section of the door from scuffs, marks and knocks caused by shoes, bags, pets and general household use.
“Kick plates are particularly practical on doors leading into utility rooms, kitchens, garages, boot rooms or other busy areas of the home. They can also be useful if you have a door that is regularly opened with your foot when carrying shopping, laundry or other items," she advises.
As Hardware Manager at B&Q, Beth Dale has in-depth knowledge of the various types of door furniture that can make for a smooth entry to each room, including door knobs, locks and finger plates.
Where to buy fingerplates
If you're on the hunt for original fingerplates, you may struggle due to their fragile nature, although It’s sometimes possible to unearth original brass ones at antique shops or via online marketplaces such as eBay. But it’s certainly easier to find reproduction pieces.
This Art Nouveau design at Willow & Stone for example is based on an original pattern, and traditionally crafted at a foundry in the West Midlands.
But, if you're building a more contemporary home, simpler, modern finger plates will provide the same functionality without the ornate details. Ranging from crisp rectangles to fancier styles with bevelled edges, modern finger plates are widely available from retailers such as B&Q.
Simple finger plates
An aged bronze-effect fingerplate with a screw fixing installation required
This simple brass fingerplate could suit a more modern door
A polished chrome fingerplate with a detailed edging
Traditional finger plates
These ceramic fingerplates come in a range of colours and have a simple finish
This solid brass features an ornate design with flowers and a vase
This polished brass fingerplate has a ridged finish but less detail around the edges
How to install a finger plate on an internal door
I’ve been renovating my late Victorian home for much of the last decade, and antique finger plates have provided the perfect finishing touch to internal doors around the house. These are the steps I've followed when installing them.
1. Choose the right placement
Finger plates are usually installed on internal doors above the door handle on the lock stile, in the area that’s most likely to be pushed by an extended hand. With this in mind, consider the ages or heights of everyone living in your home, before installing a finger plate. Typically, finger plates on both sides of the door are installed in approximately the same location.
“Position the finger plate on the door where the door is pushed open, and check that it sits comfortably alongside the handle without interfering with its operation,” says Beth Dale. “For screw-fixed finger plates, mark the fixing points with a pencil.”
I placed my finger plates centrally on the lock stile, aligning the bottom of the finger plate with the top of the door’s middle rail.
2. Prepare the door
The right way to prepare your door for installing a finger plate will depend on which mounting method is required. As Beth Dale notes, “many finger plates are designed to be screwed directly onto the door, while some may use adhesive.
“For a screw-fixed finger plate, use a drill to make small pilot holes if required.” One of the best cordless drills, used with a small wood bit (narrower than the mounting screws), will do the job nicely. You may need to buy screws to mount your finger plates – I ordered small, antique brass screws to match the finger plate material.
“Meanwhile, for adhesive-backed finger plates, make sure the door surface is clean, dry and free from dust or grease before positioning the plate,” adds Beth.
3. Attach the finger plate
The next step – attaching the finger plate – will vary depending on the model. Beth Dale advises the following:
If the finger plate is screw-mounted: “Position the finger plate over the holes and secure it using the supplied screws, taking care not to overtighten them, as this could damage the door surface.”
If the finger plate is adhesive-backed: “Peel away the backing, carefully align the plate and press it firmly into place. Always follow the manufacturer’s fitting instructions, particularly regarding the type of surface the plate can be applied to and how long the adhesive needs to bond before the door is used.”
Once fitted, the finger plate will benefit from occasional cleaning. Brass finger plates will stay looking their best if treated with the right product, such as this brass polish from B&Q..
FAQs
Why was brass commonly used to make finger plates?
“Brass was used heavily in Victorian times not only because it has an aesthetic quality, but because its copper content combats the spread of germs, which is an amazing benefit in a finger plate,” says Sarah Willshaw.
“Bevelled glass fingerplates gave a much cleaner look in late Victorian times, and another very popular material was ceramic,” she says. “Ceramic finger plates often had an interesting shape and a smooth front. They were generally used in upstairs bedrooms because they were considered less lavish than brass – people kept their cheaper items for the upstairs.”
Brass is still widely used to make finger plates, as are alternative materials such as stainless steel, nickel and porcelain.
Are you taking your interior design to the max(imalist)? Our guides on pattern drenching mistakes and oversized lighting ideas will help you add detail to the best possible effect.
