How to Update Interior Doors: A Simple Path to a New Aesthetic

Interior wood doors are inherently flexible. Provided you pick premium, solid wood doors that have been engineered to last, you can add design features, new colors, veneers, and paints or switch your door hardware to achieve a different appearance to match your décor scheme.

Whether you’re interested in learning how to install interior double doors in existing opening spaces or need expert tips on repainting doors with a finish that looks polished and professional, the design specialists at 27estore can help. In this guide, we’ll share some ideas and inspiration to give you some prompts about revamping your doors with minimal time and effort.

Changing the Hardware on Interior Doors

A refreshingly simple solution, changing the hardware–such as handles, doorknobs, hinge plates, and locks–can make a distinct difference to the way your doors slot into your space. From traditional solutions such as brass levers to contemporary stainless steel or matte metals, door furnishings can make the color feel more vibrant and intense.

It's best to measure your door accessories before ordering any upgrades since handles should be of consistent sizes to ensure you can replace old hardware with new ones. Alternatively, expanding the opening with a drill can be a good way to enlarge the gap and add a more contemporary handle.

If your interior decor project includes a complete transformation, you can also replace hinges. While less visible than handles, a consistent color scheme presents attention to detail in the finished impact.

Adjusting the Aesthetic of Glass Interior Door Panels

High-quality laminated glass is a brilliant way to subtly increase the light within your home, using opaque or semi-translucent glazing for privacy while ensuring darker or smaller spaces feel larger and airier. Adding decorative finishes and covers to glazing is a low-cost and immediate way to achieve a new look, where you can be as creative as you wish. 

Patterned films come in a huge variety of designs and colors, from classic patterns to reeded glass films and even films that replicate the look of elaborate stained glass. The best aspect of adding a film to your interior doors is that you can remove the cover at any point or change the appearance of your doors as frequently as you wish.

Repainting Interior Doors

A fresh coat of paint can make the same door look brand new, with options such as clean, matte white for a modern and minimalistic look, contrasting tones to offset your wall coverings and furniture, or cohesive shades for a unified and streamlined atmosphere. Painting might be a fairly easy upgrade, but we’d suggest taking your time to remove old paint or varnish, sanding or priming the door, and removing the handles beforehand to avoid splashes and drips that can be detrimental to the end result.

Latex or emulsions are water-based, so they are easier to clean and often have fewer chemicals or compounds unsuited to homes with small children or family members with allergies and sensitivities. However, oil-based paints such as glosses are more durable and come in gloss, matte, or vinyl effects. Semi-gloss is a great compromise, although imperfections will show up, so you must prime the door and check the timber is smooth before you paint.

Adding Patterns and Embellishments to Interior Doors

If you are creative, you can experiment with stencils, which can be applied with vinyl adhesives or paint. Stencils are available online with popular motifs, including florals, leaves, and delicate swirling patterns that feel artistic.

Choosing a color two or three shades away from the existing base tone adds a discreet but noticeable impact, whereas opposite color spectrums are brighter and bolder. Adding geometric patterns works particularly well for modern interiors; metallic paints that match the colors of your handles are a perfect way to create interest without detracting from the original style and tone of your interior.

Changing the Color of Your Interior Door Frame

Finally, if you're looking to update your interior doors, you might look at the surrounding fixtures rather than the door itself. Elegant solid timber doors from 27estore look striking, and we appreciate that many customers are reluctant to make any adjustments to the rich depth of color and luster of their doors.

Instead, you can create visual interest and eye-catching design statements by adding a contrasting shade to the frame around the door. Pale blonde timber doors with black frames or pale creamy frames with intense redwood hues look incredible, while your premium door remains in its original pristine condition.