Whether you live in a castle or an apartment, a door knocker is a decorative way to welcome visitors. As one of the first things in your home that greets visitors, door knockers can represent your personality. They come in many different designs and materials and can offer a classic and traditional welcome or a cheeky, good-spirited hello. I selected a collection of well-priced door knockers that definitely say, "Welcome home."

Go nautical: Copper Mountain offers a classic nautical themed anchor and rope door knocker in antique brass and chrome pewter. At 5-1/2", it fits smaller and larger doors and is easy to install. (Knobsandhardware.com, $27-$29)

Motorcycle metal: Get your motor running with a Harley-Davidson® themed door knockers featuring the well-known HD bar and shield logo. This is a great gift for the classic bike fan in your family. Made of heavy duty zinc and cast in an antique pewter finish, the knocker measures 4.5"W by 3"H.  (Knobsandhardware.com, $19.96)

Act crabby: Welcome your guests with the whimsical and humorous Crabby Crab door knocker. Made of solid brass, the legs have been finished to look like they have developed a natural bronze patina while the body retains its natural bronze color. The crab body pivots for use as a knocker. (Capecodweathervanecompay.com, $48.50)

Classic act: Pottery Barn offers a classic oval door knocker finished in bronze, brass or pewter. Personalize the knocker, and your front door, with a custom monogram. At 4.5" wide by 6" tall, this is a substantial piece that will dress up any door. (Potterybarn.com, $39)

Foxy: The fox is guarding the hen house with this heavy cast brass Fox door knocker. Lacquered to maintain its finish, the knocker is over 6" tall by 2" wide.  Stylistically, it fits with Arts and Crafts or Victorian architecture, but would certainly work well with any decorative house style. (Houseofantiquehardware.com, $12.79)

Garden-style: Bring a little of the outdoors right to your door with this whimsical red cast iron door spade-shaped door knocker.  Just the right touch to rustic fun, the red paint would play well off of a white, gray or natural wood door. (CamillaCotton on Etsy, $16)

Urban jungle: Sure to be a great conversation starter, Anthropologie offers this adorable antiqued copper Giraffe door knocker. This piece is so cute that you and your guests will find yourselves petting its nose while coming and going. (Anthropologie.com, $32)

A work of art: Colby Smith's handmade "Thistle" door knocker is truly a work of art. As such, it's a pricey choice for a door knocker, but the quality is top notch and the design truly unique. The thistle is a well-known symbol of Scotland, which makes this a lovely choice if you have Scottish ancestors. The top half is sand-cast red or yellow brass, the base comes in a choice of nickel plate, oiled bronze or verdigris finish. (Doorknockers.info, $174)

Linda Merrill is a Networx - https://www.networx.com - writer. Read more articles like this one  - https://www.networx.com/article/designer-picks-door-knockers - on Networx.com.