Hey there! At Experts Remodel, we’ve been exploring ways to refresh your home. Interior doors are often overlooked, but they hold great potential. A fresh coat of paint can make a huge difference. Spaces are transformed, and new life is brought into your rooms.
We recently wrote an article on the best interior door handles. Now, we’re shifting focus to painting those doors. It’s an affordable way to add personality and style. Different colors and techniques can create amazing effects!
In this full guide, we’ll walk you through the process. First, we’ll cover how to prepare your doors. Then, we’ll share a list of creative ideas to inspire you. So, let’s dive in and discover how to make your interior doors stand out!
Table of Contents
1. Choosing the Right Paint
When it comes to painting interior doors, picking the right paint can make all the difference. The finish you choose not only impacts how the door looks but also how it holds up over time. Let’s break down some of the common finishes:
- Matte Finish: This one is great if you’re aiming for a subtle, low-shine look. Matte finishes hide imperfections well, making them a good choice for older doors. But keep in mind, they can be a bit trickier to clean.
- Satin Finish: A happy medium, satin offers a smooth look with just a bit of sheen. It’s more durable than matte and easier to clean. Perfect for high-traffic areas or doors that see a lot of action.
- Gloss Finish: Glossy finishes are bold and reflective, which can create a modern vibe. They’re also super easy to wipe clean, making them ideal for homes with kids or pets. However, they can highlight any imperfections, so make sure your door is prepped well.
Next, it’s time to think about paint colors. Do you want your door to stand out or blend in? If you’re going for a pop of color, consider bold shades like navy, black, or even a vibrant red. On the other hand, neutral tones like soft grays or off-whites create a timeless look that works in most spaces.
Finally, don’t forget about the door material. For wooden doors, oil-based or acrylic latex paints are great options. If you’re dealing with metal or composite doors, make sure you use a paint specifically designed for those materials. It will ensure better adhesion and a long-lasting finish.
Now that you’ve got your paint choices sorted, you’re ready to move on to prepping your doors for their fresh new look!
2. Prepping Your Door for Painting
Before you dive into painting, it’s essential to prep your door properly. A little preparation goes a long way toward getting a smooth, professional finish.
First, decide if you want to remove the door from its hinges. Taking the door off can make the job easier. You won’t have to worry about drips or awkward angles. If you have the space to lay the door flat, removing it can save you a lot of hassle. However, it’s not a must. You can paint the door in place, especially if you don’t mind a bit of patience and extra precision.
Next, it’s time to clean and sand the surface. Over time, doors collect dirt, dust, and grime. Wipe the door down with a damp cloth and a bit of soap if needed. This ensures that no debris messes up your paint job. Once the door is clean, it’s sanding time. Lightly sand the surface to smooth out imperfections and give the paint something to grip. For previously painted doors, sanding helps rough up the old paint so the new coat adheres better. Don’t skip this step!
Now, let’s talk about the importance of priming the door. Primer is your best friend, especially if your door was previously painted in a dark color. It creates an even base and helps your new color pop. If your door is made of wood or has stains, primer will also block any discoloration from bleeding through. Even if you’re painting over a lighter color, using primer will help your paint last longer and give you a smoother finish.
With your door prepped, you’re ready for the fun part—painting!
3. Color Ideas for Interior Doors
Now comes the exciting part—choosing the perfect color for your interior doors! Whether you want to make a bold statement or keep things subtle, there are endless possibilities.
Bold Accent Doors
One way to make your doors stand out is by turning them into bold accent pieces. Colors like navy, black, or deep red can instantly elevate any room. A black door, for example, adds a touch of black and dark wood luxury. It works well in both modern and traditional spaces. Navy is another great choice if you’re aiming for a stylish, yet calming vibe. Deep red? That’s perfect for a statement in a dining room or home office. Bold doors draw the eye and can serve as the room’s centerpiece without overpowering other elements.
Classic Neutrals
If you’re after a timeless and clean look, you can never go wrong with neutral tones. Soft grays, whites, and beiges create a simple yet elegant backdrop. These colors blend seamlessly with almost any decor and give your home a fresh, airy feel. White doors, in particular, have that classic appeal and can make a space feel more open and inviting. Soft gray or beige doors, on the other hand, can add warmth without stealing the spotlight from other design features.
Two-Tone or Color-Blocking
Feeling creative? Consider going for two-tone or color-blocked doors. This is where you paint one side of the door a different color than the other, or divide the door into sections with contrasting colors. This playful approach is ideal if you want to bring a bit of modern flair into your home. For example, you could paint the inside of a bedroom door a calming pastel and the outside a bold, contrasting color. Or try painting the top and bottom halves of the door in complementary shades for a fun, geometric look.
Choosing the right color depends on your room’s style and your personal taste, but the options are endless!
4. Hardware Considerations
Once your door is freshly painted, don’t forget about the hardware. Coordinate your door handles with the new color for a cohesive look. For example, matte black hardware pairs beautifully with bold, dark doors, while brushed nickel or brass can enhance neutral tones.
If your hardware feels outdated, consider updating it after painting. A fresh set of knobs, hinges, or handles can really complete the transformation and add a polished touch to your revamped doors. It’s an easy upgrade that makes a big difference!
8 Creative Interior Door Painting Ideas
Ready to take your doors to the next level? Here are 10 unique and detailed ways to paint your interior doors. Each idea is simple to try, yet they’ll dramatically change the look and feel of your space. Let’s break down how to make them happen!
1. Bold Solid Color
For a quick, impactful change, choose a bold color like emerald green, navy, or deep plum. To do this, start by prepping the door (cleaning, sanding, and priming). Apply two coats of your chosen paint, allowing each coat to dry fully in between. A bold door works especially well if your walls are neutral, allowing the color to pop and become the focal point of the room.
2. Half-Painted Doors
This trendy, two-tone look is both fun and stylish. To achieve it, first decide where you want the color break—typically at the halfway point or lower third of the door. Use painter’s tape to create a clean line. Paint one half of the door in a bold color and the other half in a contrasting or neutral shade. After it dries, carefully remove the tape and touch up as needed. This design gives you a modern, color-blocked effect.
3. Geometric Patterns
For a playful, modern touch, try painting geometric shapes like triangles, stripes, or squares on your door. Start by measuring and marking your pattern using painter’s tape. Then, fill in the shapes with your chosen colors—anything from bold, contrasting hues to subtle, neutral shades. Once the paint is dry, remove the tape and enjoy your clean, sharp lines. You can repeat the pattern across multiple doors for a cohesive look.
4. Ombre Effect
An ombre door adds a soft, artistic vibe to any room. Start with a lighter color at the top of the door and gradually blend it into a darker shade at the bottom. You’ll need two to three colors in the same family (like light blue to dark blue). Begin by painting the top portion with the lightest color, then apply the middle shade below it, blending where they meet. Finally, paint the bottom section with the darkest shade and blend up into the middle color. A sponge or dry brush can help with seamless blending.
5. Chalkboard Paint
Want a door you can write on? Chalkboard paint is both functional and fun. It’s perfect for kitchen pantry doors, kids’ rooms, or home offices. To get started, simply prep the door and apply a coat or two of chalkboard paint. Let it dry fully, then “season” the surface by rubbing the entire door with chalk and wiping it clean. Now you’ve got a writable surface for to-do lists, reminders, or just doodling!
6. Distressed Finish
A distressed door offers that farmhouse, vintage charm. To create this look, start by painting the door with a base coat—often white, cream, or another light shade. After it dries, apply a second coat of a darker color like blue, green, or brown. Once both layers are dry, lightly sand areas where natural wear would occur (around edges, near the handle) to reveal the base coat. This technique gives the door a weathered, time-worn appearance.
7. Metallic Accents
For a luxurious, high-gloss finish, consider metallic paint. Gold, silver, or copper can give your door a striking, modern edge. After prepping the door, apply a primer made for metallic paints. Use a high-quality brush or roller to apply the metallic paint evenly. It may take several coats to achieve full coverage, so be patient and let each coat dry completely. Metallic doors are great for entryways or as accents in minimalist rooms.
8. Stencil Designs
For a personalized, artistic touch, stencils allow you to create intricate designs with minimal effort. Start by choosing a stencil pattern you love—floral designs, vines, or geometric shapes work well. Hold or tape the stencil to the door and apply paint using a sponge or small brush, dabbing gently to avoid paint bleeding under the stencil. Once dry, remove the stencil and repeat across the door for a unique, decorative look.
