Watch your knuckles!
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (353202)
Rockingham, Australia
May 13, 2025 10:41pm CST
House-sitting in an interesting occupation. I like seeing how different houses are laid out and how people organise their lives.
One thing I’ve noticed on quite a few houses is that door-knobs are often placed much too close to the edge of the door, making it difficult to open without scraping your knuckles. When Vince was involved with new buildings at schools, he had the same problem with architects placing door-knobs too close to the jamb.
We always reckoned that architects should have to live/work with their creations for a few months.
19 people like this
16 responses
@JudyEv (353202)
• Rockingham, Australia
23h
That would look lovely. These knobs are all silver but it's an old house.
@DaddyEvil (147939)
• United States
23h
I don't remember having a problem scraping my knuckles when opening doors... Maybe some people have larger hands/knuckles?
2 people like this
@JudyEv (353202)
• Rockingham, Australia
17h
@DaddyEvil I didn't pick up on that but I certainly wouldn't want you banging your knuckles. 
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38582)
• Philippines
22h
That's a great observation—I’ve noticed that too! Some doors really do make you feel like you're about to scrape your knuckles just trying to open them. I’m not an expert either, but it seems like the handle might just be placed too close to the edge, which makes it uncomfortable to use.
I think sometimes the people designing or building the doors just don’t think about how it will feel when you actually use it. They might be following some plan or doing what looks good on paper, but they don’t always test how it works in real life.
I completely agree with you—if architects or builders had to actually live or work in the places they design, they’d probably notice these little things and fix them! It’s funny how small details like that can make a big difference.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (115937)
• Marion, Ohio
13h
@JudyEv All the door knobs we have bought had to be a certain distance away because of how they are made. I don't think I have ever seen one too close
@thislittlepennyearns (64179)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
14 May
I hate when door knobs are so close that you hurt your knuckles. Working on houses I've seen that a lot.
how long are you ugys doing house sitting for this time.
2 people like this
@thislittlepennyearns (64179)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
23h
@JudyEv Well thats fun! Tell your husband you need to come to the states and housesit fo rme, or just let me cook for you lol
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (353202)
• Rockingham, Australia
17h
@thislittlepennyearns It's been good but I doubt we'll be doing any more. We're getting too old for anything too physical just as lugging hay to horses, etc. Cats and guinea pigs are about our limit now. But we might take you up on the cooking! lol
@allknowing (145511)
• India
5h
In India it must be different as I have never had issues with my knuckles while opening doors.
@RasmaSandra (84880)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6h
There should be a specific guide rule for builders as to what the distances should be,
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (14998)
• Torrington, Connecticut
16h
My backyard door is a knuckle scuffer for sure, very little thought went into door handle clearance lol
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (109605)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
5h
You have a good point there about architects should have to live/work with their creations to know what their customers are going through.
@LindaOHio (188478)
• United States
16h
I've never run into that problem. Interesting.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (353202)
• Rockingham, Australia
14h
There is only a very small clearance between the knob and the door frame.
@snowy22315 (189308)
• United States
14h
Hmm, don't think I ever scraped my knuckles on a door. You have all the luck!
