How to choose the color of interior doors - expert advice

Tips for choosing colors in interior design

A few basic recommendations:

• In a small apartment, it is better to use interior paintings in light colors, since dark colors, for example, purple, black, wenge or other shades, will make it gloomy, even smaller and more uncomfortable.
• It is not advisable to combine warm and cold shades with each other.
• According to Feng Shui, doors located on the north side can be painted black, blue or white. Door structures that face northeast or southwest should be decorated in brown or yellow colors. For paintings with an eastern or southeastern orientation, black, blue or green shades would be an excellent solution.
• For a wooden house, the best option would be to install entrance or interior door models in a natural wood shade.

Dyeing technology

The door is prepared, the paint and varnish material has been selected, all that remains is the small matter - let's start painting. But first you need to prepare your workplace and tools. The canvas should be laid on a surface previously covered with plastic film, and the brush should be rinsed with warm water and combed - this will help remove poorly fixed hairs that can spoil the dyeing result. The instructions below will tell you how to properly paint a wooden door.

Painting with enamel or varnish

Doing the painting yourself is very easy if you approach this process correctly. First, the surface must be treated with a primer, this will improve the adhesion of the coloring material to the base, and the coating will last longer after drying.

The following step-by-step instructions will help you achieve high-quality results:

1. Open the can of paint and mix the composition thoroughly. If necessary, dilute with a solvent (if the instructions on the package allow this). Pour some paint into the paint tray.
2. Dip the brush into the paint and first apply it to all protruding elements (panels, ends), as well as corners.
3. Next, paint the flat areas evenly using a roller. You should start from the upper left corner, gradually moving to the right.
4. One layer of paint will not be enough, so after the first has dried, apply a second layer (the more, the better), but only in the opposite direction.
5. After the door leaf has completely dried, you need to turn it over to the other side and repeat all the same steps.

Related article: Which entrance door to choose for a private home: review of the best models | +55 photos

Applying varnish is no different from the process described above. However, there is one difference - you need to perform interlayer sanding. After each layer (well dried), the surface is sanded with medium-grain sandpaper. With each subsequent layer, the grain of the sandpaper should be smaller. The finishing layer on a varnished surface does not require such treatment.

On video: instructions for painting a door - step by step.

Stain coating

If a stain has been chosen, then the doors do not need priming before painting, since the composition penetrates deeply into the wood fibers. There are several painting methods: rubbing, spraying, staining and brushing. The last option is the simplest; let’s look at the whole process in more detail.

Which stain to cover the doors with:

1. The composition adheres better to damp wood, so first you need to moisten the surface of the canvas with water.
2. Using a brush, apply a thin layer of stain along the grain. After drying, apply the next one, but this time across.
3. At the same time, we cover the lower part of the canvas, otherwise the coloring will be uneven, since the stain quickly penetrates into the deep layers of the wood.
4. When using a water-based stain, you need to sand with zero sandpaper before the finishing coat; when using an alcohol-based stain, this step can be skipped.
5. At this stage, we clean the canvas from wood dust and apply the last decorative layer. If desired, open with colorless varnish.

On the video: stain - how to apply it and how deep does it penetrate?

Treatment with impregnation or wax

Decorative impregnations based on oil or wax have their own nuances in application. To treat the surface, use a brush with soft bristles, a roller or a foam sponge. First, the composition is thoroughly mixed, after which a small amount is applied to one area and the whole thing is rolled out using a roller. To avoid streaks or dark areas, process at an accelerated pace, evenly distributing the substance over the entire area.

The impregnation dries on average in about 8-12 hours; the next layer should be applied no later than 24 hours after the previous one has dried.

How do the colors of doors and walls match in the interior?

Opposite shades attract and complement each other very harmoniously. With the help of a contrasting combination, it is possible to create a memorable interior, endowing it with brightness and creativity.

The photo shows a contrasting combination of an interior door with wall decoration in the interior of a modern bedroom.

They also boldly combine plain wall and door surfaces; this solution allows you to decorate the room and fill it with comfort and warmth.

The photo shows a small living room and a monochrome combination of an interior door with brick wall cladding.

Popular colors of interior doors

There is a fairly wide color palette, in which both dark and lighter shades are distinguished.

Blue

Due to its brightness and saturation, blue always attracts attention and is very relevant in the design of various rooms.

The photo shows a bedroom interior with a blue interior door decorated with glass inserts.

Grey

Door surface options

There are two main types:

• Matte. Noble matte interior door leaves fit perfectly with the overall design concept and create a truly amazing interior, filling the atmosphere with special comfort and notes of conservatism.
• Glossy. They look much fresher and more unusual, and due to the shine and brightness of the gloss, they give the room a presentable appearance and visually increase its area.

The photo shows a children's room and a white interior door with a matte surface.

Depending on the glossy or matte surface, the overall spatial perception can be significantly influenced or completely changed.

Preparing the door leaf

Repainting an old wooden door is possible only after careful preparation of the door. To do this, first remove the door from its hinges and disassemble all the fittings (handle, locking mechanism and other parts). If you don’t have special skills, you can leave these elements, then you’ll have to isolate them with foil and tape. The canvas is laid in a horizontal position for ease of use, after which the main part of surface preparation begins.

Removing old coating

It will not be possible to carry out high-quality painting of the door surface if there is an old coating, and even with defects. That is why at this stage it is necessary to remove a layer of old paint or varnish. This can be done using various available means.

Let's look at several effective ways to clean door panels:

• Grinding machine. A door covered with a thin layer of old paint can be sanded using a sanding tool. This is the fastest and least labor-intensive method possible. However, it is not suitable if the canvas is decorated with carvings or figured elements. As an alternative, you can use coarse sandpaper, but the time and physical costs are inevitable.

• Construction hairdryer. This is a special tool that is designed to heat various types of surfaces. It will also be effective in use. To do this, a stream of hot air is directed onto the old coating (just do not hold the tool too close to the surface, otherwise there is a risk of fire). With intense heating, the old paint will soften and can be easily removed with a spatula.

• Using a remover or solvent. You can purchase a special paint remover at a hardware store. However, such products must be used very carefully, preferably outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, since their pungent odor is toxic.

Important! When choosing any method of removing old coating, you must use such means as rubber gloves, eye protection, a mask or a respirator.

In the video: how to effectively remove a layer of paint from a wooden door.

Elimination of defects

If you find any defects on the surface of the door leaf (cracks, chips, scratches), they must be eliminated. This can be done using wood putty. The composition is applied to the damaged area, and the entire mass is leveled with a rubber spatula. The surface covered with such putty must be allowed to dry, after which the treated area is thoroughly cleaned using sandpaper. As a result, there should be no unevenness or lumps of dried putty left.

Final sanding

When all defects have been eliminated, cracks and scratches have been filled, you can begin the last stage of preparatory work. To repaint doors efficiently, their surface must be perfectly smooth. This is necessary for easier paint application. Grinding is carried out with the same grinder or fine-grained sandpaper. Then you need to remove wood dust from the surface using a vacuum cleaner.

Recommendations for choosing colors in the interior of rooms

Interior door structures should not only represent a functional space delimiter, but also be a harmonious addition to the design of the kitchen, living room, bedroom, corridor, bathroom, toilet and other rooms.

Doors can act as the main accent spot or become an excellent backdrop, allowing interior items to sparkle with new colors. For example, for a child’s room, canvases are often selected, both in bright yellow, orange, crimson, light green shades, and in more delicate and pastel beige, cream, pink, blue, milky, pistachio or peach tones.

The photo shows the interior of the hallway in light colors with a bright turquoise entrance door.

Tools and materials for work

Before you start painting the door yourself, you need to prepare the canvas. To do this, you may need the following materials and tools:

• screwdrivers, screwdriver;
• sander;
• construction hair dryer;
• sandpaper;
• remover or solvent;
• wood putty;
• primer composition;
• rubber spatula.

Related article: Calculation of doors for a wardrobe
To paint the surface, you cannot do without a brush and roller. If the chosen dye has a fairly liquid consistency, you can use a paint sprayer - the work will go faster with it. As additional and equally important tools, you need to prepare a paint bath, gloves, an unnecessary rag, and masking tape.

Ideas for choosing colors depending on style

The choice of design and shade solution also depends on the given style direction of the room, for example, for Provence, which does not accept harshness, interior designs with a less pronounced color tone and a more modest appearance are suitable.

Doors in the loft style most often involve brown, gray, black panels or ivory-colored models. For high-tech and minimalism, glossy or matte doors with glass inserts or chrome and metallic-colored fittings would be appropriate.

The photo shows solid brown interior doors in a modern style bedroom interior.

Classic design uses natural textures, brown, beige, gray, white and other similar tones. Interior door products are also decorated with handles in gold, bronze or silver. Modern style has no special restrictions in the color scheme; both bright and contrasting and calm and muted shades are perfect here.

The photo shows a loft-style teenager's room and a gray interior door with frosted glass inserts.

Selection of paint and varnish material

There are many paint and varnish materials that will help you update your door leaf at home. They can be divided into several groups: paints, varnishes, stains, decorative and protective impregnations. The choice of the desired dye is determined by the external condition of the product. So, if the door is relatively new, then it is better not to hide the natural beauty of the wood, but to emphasize it, giving preference to transparent and slightly tinted compositions. But how to paint an old interior wooden door?

If the product has completely lost its original appearance, then it is worth thinking about compositions with good covering ability. In this case, you can paint with paints of a certain composition and enamels, and if the canvas is well treated, with stain and varnish as a fixing. Next, we will consider the main types of paints and varnishes, their advantages and conditions of use.

Dye

If it has been decided to paint the doors in a bright and monochromatic color that will harmoniously match the color scheme of the room, the choice of paint in this case is the ideal solution. The range of such products is very extensive. There are specialized compounds designed for painting wood. However, only high-quality paint can create a durable coating, so you need to choose it responsibly.

Paints for wooden doors come in different types and have their own characteristics:

• Alkyd. Available in a wide range of colors and shades. After complete drying, a strong and durable layer is created on the surface, resistant to various external factors. A wear-resistant coating will protect the wood from mechanical damage. However, alkyd-based enamels have a significant drawback - a strong pungent odor that persists for several days. Therefore, it is better to paint doors with such compositions outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.

• Acrylic. These are water-based paints and therefore do not have a toxic odor. The main advantages of these compositions are that they are easy to apply, they have good covering ability, and are safe for health. Special acrylic-based wood paint is suitable for painting doors at home. You don't have to leave your apartment to wait for it to dry completely. However, the main disadvantage is the weak strength of the coating; it is recommended to additionally coat the surface with acrylic varnish.

• Nitro paints. They belong to the group of solvent-based compounds. They create a durable and durable coating on the surface, but emit toxic fumes, which often lead to allergic reactions. You need to work with this type of paint only in protective equipment and preferably in the fresh air.

• Polyurethane. They have good covering abilities. The coating is resistant to various negative factors and is not afraid of moisture and temperature changes. It is better to paint doors with polyurethane paint not in an apartment, but in a bathhouse.

• Oily. They are considered the most affordable and have a long service life (up to 5 years). However, wood coated with such paint is not able to “breathe”. In addition, the composition takes a very long time to dry and emits toxic fumes. Use better paint with a different composition.

Varnish

This category of materials includes compositions that are often used to consolidate the result after painting with acrylic paint or stain. Varnishes are transparent and tinted. The former are ideal for emphasizing the natural texture of wood, the latter for adding a slight shade and shine.

Varnish is used not only for decorative purposes; it is necessary when the surface of a wooden product needs to be protected from external adverse factors.

Related article: Color of doors and floors in the interior: tips for choosing and combining shades | +65 photos

There are several types of varnish:

• Alkyd. Just like paint from this group, it creates a durable coating that is resistant to temperature fluctuations and has water-repellent properties.

• Acrylic. The material is resistant to high humidity and does not deteriorate under the influence of ultraviolet rays. It has no pungent odor and comes in glossy or matte finishes.

• Nitrocellulose. Painting interior doors with this composition is possible only in dry rooms with an optimal microclimate, since the resulting coating does not have sufficient strength and can quickly crack.

• Polyurethane. It has good adhesion to wooden surfaces and is characterized by the strength and durability of the coating. Available in glossy, semi-gloss and matte. Not only doors, but also veneer, countertops and even parquet can be coated with this varnish.

• Polyester. It has high strength and wear resistance, but is toxic. It has a strong chemical odor, so it is best used to cover outdoor doors.

stain

You can paint interior doors at home with stain. Such compositions are opaque and are intended to tint wood and temporarily protect it from negative influences. Stain perfectly emphasizes the wood structure, but requires periodic renewal of the layer.

Several types of compositions can be distinguished:

• On a varnish basis. This includes a stain with the ability to dry quickly, it is also called azure. The coloring turns out to be uneven, so experts recommend covering the surface with this composition using a spray gun.

• Oil based. This stain gives a dark tint to wood and is quite thick, so it must be diluted with a solvent before use.

• Water based. The composition penetrates deeply into the structure of the wood, giving a rich shade and clarity to the pattern. On a wooden surface, the decorative layer looks beautiful and retains its properties for a long time.

• Alcohol based. Wood stain is more expensive than other varieties and has a strong, unpleasant odor; its advantages include quick drying.

Important! If the wooden door will not be treated with protective agents against rot, mold and mildew, choose a stain with antiseptic properties.

Impregnation

Colored impregnations are also great for updating an old wooden door. They belong to decorative and protective compositions. Most often, two types of impregnation are used for wood processing: oil-based and wax-based. With their help, you can process the canvas and tint it, give it a beautiful shade, while the layer of substance does not hide the beautiful texture of the wood.

In addition to the decorative function, impregnations have bio- and fire-retardant properties. Penetrating deep into the layers of wood fibers, they can increase the surface's resistance to moisture and prevent the formation of mold and mildew. The compositions are easy to use, and for greater shine you can use a special wood polish.

In the video: painting a wooden door with Pinotex impregnation.

What door color is in fashion now?

In 2020, designers are highlighting the most current color scheme, which will bring a fresh idea and a new look at the door leaf to the interior. Neutral and calm shades, such as beige, brown and terracotta, are especially popular. Also, in addition to warm colors, gray interior designs are trending.