Here at Cosy Home, we like to wax lyrical about individual rooms. We’re continuously in search of that elusive (and possibly mythical beast) The Perfect Kitchen, for example. Sometimes, we tend to overlook that the method of communication between rooms can be just as important, and prove a vital ingredient of the overall look.
That’s right, we’re talking about internal doors – those unsung heroes of the hallway.
These very dark doors don’t create a welcoming environment – a coat of light paint would completely change the feel of this hallway. Image: Pixabay
Having the right doors in your home can completely change the atmosphere, lifting a dull interior and brightening a dark one. If your doors are due an update, here’s what to look for.
Old doors
Keep an eye out for old door furniture in antique shops, and fit it to your existing doors. Image: Pixabay
Reclamation yards and online auction sites are great sources of period doors, which are an easy way to add character to a modern building. Be very careful when taking measurements, though, as vintage doors may not fit modern doorways and your DIY skills may be called into play! You may also have to move the placement of hinges. If you’re buying old doors that are painted and you intend to have them stripped, be aware that the old paint may be covering a multitude of sins.
When you strip the door, it may turn out to largely composed of filler and you may end up repainting it! Old doors are worth the effort, though, as they’re more solid and attractive than modern equivalents.
Glass doors
If you’re lacking in light, you could consider replacing one or more internal doors with glass-panelled alternatives. If you choose a door that has glass panelling all the way down it will let in the maximum light, but if you have children or pets you will spend a large portion of your life cleaning the glass. Doors with glass only at the top are more practical but not as effective, but choosing the right type such as black steel doors can make it all worthwhile as they’re sturdy and fashionable.
Trompe l’oeil doors
When is a door not a door? When it’s a seascape, a desert, a library….Modern printing techniques mean you can now cover your doors in high quality printed stick-on murals, either as a stand-alone feature or to hide them. If you have a panelled door, though, you’ll need to cover it in hardboard first to provide a flat sticking surface. This is a relatively cheap and quick way to update a room, and is easy to change when you tire of it.
Door makeovers
Chipped paint and ragged edges on a door can really detract from the finished appearance of a room. To give your doors a proper makeover, you’ll really have to take them off the hinges and take them outside for preparation.
Remove all the old door furniture such as handles and finger plates. If you’re keeping it, that will need cleaning too. Then, give the surface a light rub down with sandpaper to ‘key’ it before you reapply new paint. Bright white paint always looks good but will need regular wiping down to maintain its pristine appearance. A light grey is more forgiving and works well with most decors.
Adding new door furniture can really be the finishing touch and transform a tired door completely.
These colourful ceramic hand painted door knobs will brighten up doors, chest of drawers and anything with a handle! £10.50 for two, available from Finch and Crane.
Handmade in Jaipur, India, this hand painted wooden door knob has been lovingly made using traditional and artisan techniques. £3.99, available from Ian Snow.
This doorknob is the epitome of modern and simple design and takes the current trend of mixing natural materials with vibrant and playful accents. £2.99, available from Ian Snow as before.
No doors
If you’re fed up with old, dark or damaged doors and just don’t have the current budget to transform them or buy new ones, then you could also consider removing the doors completely.
This can help create a more open-plan feel in your home, especially with regards to doors connecting the hall with a living area, reception room, dining room or kitchen. If your hall is narrow, then taking interior doors away can also help to create more of a sense of space.
(Images: courtesy of Pixabay)
I love the photo of the dark doors – would love that hallway !
Great blog! Love the different ideas here. Changing up the ironmongery can really help to add the personal touch!
Such an interesting article! Thank you so much for sharing – I had no idea how a door can create such a visual impact!
I love to look of old doors, although I’m not sure if they’d look out of place in my 70s-80s build. That said, my doors all definitely need replacing so thanks for all the ideas here!
Old doors can really add character to a property
I would like to replace the doors in my flat and I’ve recently been looking at all the options but it is a bit overwhelming. My parents had all their doors replaced last year and it has made a huge difference to the feel of their home and to the light. Definitely something to consider!
Loving these ideas! I’ve always been a fan of modern plain and simple doors. But maybe some nice solid old doors would look great against white walls and door frames 🙂
I love the knob from Ian Snow, I love all of their stuff tbh. We have recently had two of our old Victorian doors changed so they have glass at the top to allow more light through to darker areas of the house.