I've actually done exactly that—modern keyless entry on the outside doors and vintage hardware inside—and honestly, it's the best of both worlds. At first, I was worried it'd look mismatched or weird, but it turned out surprisingly cohesive. The trick is picking modern hardware that's sleek and minimal enough not to clash with your interior vibe.
Plus, from an eco-friendly standpoint (had to throw this in!), keeping your original interior hardware is way better than tossing perfectly good stuff into a landfill. And let's face it, vintage doorknobs have character that new ones just can't replicate. I mean, my grandma's old crystal knobs are staying put forever...even if they sometimes stick and trap me in the bathroom for a minute or two.
So yeah, go for it. Convenience outside, charm inside—it's totally doable and looks great. Just make sure you pick exterior hardware that's subtle enough to blend rather than scream "I'm from the future!" at your guests...unless that's your thing, of course.
We did something similar at our place, and honestly, I was pretty skeptical at first. Mostly because I was worried about the cost and whether it'd look out of place on our older home. But after getting locked out twice in one month (long story short—kids + misplaced keys = chaos), we decided to bite the bullet and install keyless entry on our front door.
We chose a fairly minimal keypad style—nothing flashy or overly futuristic—and kept our original brass hardware inside. And you know what? It actually blends really well! Guests barely even notice it until they're standing right in front of the door punching in the code. I do agree with you though, picking subtle exterior hardware is key (no pun intended). Some of the ones we looked at initially were just way too "spaceship" looking for our 1940s bungalow.
Plus, from a budget-conscious perspective, it actually saved us money in the long run. No more paying locksmiths to rescue us or having duplicate keys made every time someone lost theirs (seriously, how do keys vanish so easily?). And since we didn't replace every single knob and latch inside, the upfront cost wasn't as bad as I'd feared.
Also totally agree about keeping vintage details where you can. We inherited some charming old glass knobs too—they're quirky and a little temperamental sometimes—but they're part of what makes our house feel like home. There's something oddly comforting about using hardware that's been touched by generations before you...even if it occasionally jams or rattles.
So yeah, having lived with this setup for almost a year now, I definitely recommend it. It's practical without sacrificing character or blowing your budget. Just make sure you find something understated enough to complement your home's style rather than compete with it.
We considered going keyless too, but I'm still on the fence. Love the convenience factor, especially since my partner has a habit of losing keys (seriously, it's like a monthly event here...). But I'm curious—have you noticed any issues with battery life or reliability in colder weather? Our winters can get pretty brutal, and I'd hate to be stuck outside because the keypad decided to freeze up or something.
We've had our keypad lock for about two winters now—I'm in Minnesota, so trust me, I get the brutal winter thing. Honestly, battery-wise, it's been surprisingly solid. Haven't changed batteries more than once a year, tops. But one time last January, during an epic cold snap (talking below zero here), the keypad got a little sluggish. Had to punch in the code twice before it woke up. Still beats digging through snowbanks for misplaced keys, though...
I've had similar experiences with keypad locks in cold climates, and while they're convenient, I actually ended up switching to a mechanical push-button lock—no batteries at all. Installed one about three years ago, and it's been rock solid even during those brutal cold snaps. Sure, you lose some of the fancy features like remote unlocking, but honestly, simplicity wins for me. Plus, zero battery waste is a nice bonus if you're trying to be eco-conscious...
