interior doors


I have read and re-read Joni's recent post 'Updating Your Decor'. Great advice and insight. One thing I keep coming back to is her recommendation to paint interior doors high gloss black, especially if the doors are inexpensive/builder grade doors. I have a pantry door in my kitchen; its almost just like Joni's, above. It's a narrow door and is angled into a corner. Seeing Joni's door makes me want to update my door hardware and paint mine black...


black interior doors in Nate Berkus' office
william waldron, photographer

and here are a few charcoal gray options....

Elle Decor

source unknown

Have you painted an interior door black? 

39 comments:

Razmataz said...

When I had my basement rno done, I had all the doors painted Farrow and Ball Off Black. The painter was so iffy. He hated it.

Unknown said...

Yes! I have painted my french doors in the kitchen, the back door in the mud room and the front door in black. I love the way they look. Here is a picture of my
french doors. Go ahead and paint, you will love it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24113698@N08/4020698472/in/set-72157613323137143/

Gretchen O. said...

I wanted to paint our interior doors black but my husband nixed the idea...choosing battles. But you pics are bringing back the idea...

Hill Country House Girl said...

Love this post. I a house we built and moved into in 2002 I had the painters paint all my downstairs doors black. They thought I was nuts, but after it was done, they commented on how great the final look was. The walls were stone and a variety of creams and putty color paints, and I loved the mix. It makes regular builder grade doors look so handsome.

As an aside, When Joni and I first "found" each other (we might have been sisters in law once upon a time, and literally figured that out through blogging) we found we had a lot of similar tastes and black doors was one of them!

Becky D @ Kings Down Road said...

I haven't, but one of my friends has, and they look great!!

Anonymous said...

All the interior doors on the first floor of our home have been painted black. We love the look.

Doug Davis said...

Oh man, I've been trying to get myself to do this for a year since I moved into this house. These images aren't helping me slack off from doing it!

Design Blooms said...

So funny you brought this up. We just redid our kitchen and I really want to paint the door leading outside black. Im going to use your post to show my husband!

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

No, but I think it can be a great solution. I think tones of dark gray would work well too, when black may be too jarring for some homes. If you do this please share!! Janell

ALR said...

I would love to paint an iterior door black in my house however my hubby would probably kill me:) I love the glossy finish, very chic!

Amy R.

ticklishfromadistance said...

No, but I am SO tempted. Nate's are gorgeous.

Brandi@ Flights of Whimsy said...

I haven't been so bold to do the whole door black but I'm considering painting the trim black on our entry way door. I think it would set off the black console just right! You should go for it!

Terry Browder, www.saylesranch.com said...

Yes! We live in a 1923, Greek Revival with mostly white trimwork, but about 8 years ago we painted all the interior doors satin black. The floors are pickled and the doornobs are crystal and the black doors really dress up and give definition to the house. Goes with everything!

mb said...

I haven't painted an interior door black, but I plan on changing that. So lovely.

mb from Dallas

Splendid Sass said...

I have thought about that since I saw the post! I want black doors. I am going to start with one and see where it takes me.
Have a nice day.
Teresa

bluehydrangea said...

If you paint yours I'll paint mine...maybe. I LOVE the look but can't quite seem to bite the bullet.

Kim@Chattafabulous said...

I haven't but it's funny I just did a post about her trim color paint suggestions. I would love to do black doors and baseboards!

Carole said...

I haven't done it but it does look kinda classy. I can just image glossy black with chrome and crystal handles. Hmm.

kristi @ lovelyvelo said...

i would never think to do black doors, but they're very dramatic... in a good way!

Acquired Objects said...

I love the idea of painting the interior doors black! Ours are all white and trust me black would be so much better and was actually thinking of doing one this weekend.

FROM THE RIGHT BANK said...

Nope but I've seriously considered it. I love this look!

Anonymous said...

Now I know why I've been putting off repainting my inside doors. I kept thinking white, and I kept not liking it. Black or near-black gray--that's it! I also keep playing with the idea of painting the window trim in my kitchen gray-black, like one of Cote's pics shows. - Jean

Unknown said...

Inspired by a black and white tiled entryway, we painted all the interior doors on the main floor black and then installed black plantation shutters on all the windows. It gives the house a very 50s Hollywood-glamour feel. I love it and would absolutely do it again.

Jen said...

i love this idea!! My problem is i have a darker wood trim, do you think it will look funny with black doors?? i would love your opinion.
Jennifer
Jennifer.Lusignan@gmail.com

Julie Holloway said...

I need to read her post!

You know I'm a white paint kinda girl, but I love this look and I agree that some gloss can update some builder-grade stuff. Go for it, Donna!

Unknown said...

I haven't...but my wheels are spinning now...we have a really ugly door in my husbands office...builder grade door in an otherwise upgraded Oak paneled room...hmmmm...thanks for this! :)

Delishhh said...

Yes, i want to paing my kitchen doors to the deck black but i am scared too. Any ideas how to try it out? Anyways i love this idea.

Candylei said...

Well I've been thinking about painting mine white. They are oak and I want to take the finish off and maybe do a white wash, not opaque but I want the grain to show through the white. Big project.

Splendid Willow said...

No, not yet!

But my kitchen cabinet door is identical to Joni's and I just had the 4 door raised panels painted with black chalk board (for the kids and notes to myself). I might turn the door completely black when the kids get older. Love the look!

Happy weekend my friend!

Mon

Hollywood forever, Kevin said...

The Rolling Stones got it right--PAINT IT BLACK!!!!!!!! I see my red door and I want it painted black!

24 Corners said...

Wonderful idea!! We left our doors natural wood but there's a French restaurant in town that has all their doors painted the high gloss black and it really messed with me in making my decision...maybe one day! Hope you go for it...it's only paint (and a little bit of work)! ;]

SHERRY HART said...

I love a dark painted door...for me not black but a very deep charcoal. You should do it!!!

alison (semi-fab lane) said...

i LOVE this look. it customizes your home with such little effort! i would consider this for my bathroom doors ajacent to my bedroom.

CarolAnne - camdesign said...

Yes, I have had black doors for over 4 years now in 2 different homes and I love them...

Koren said...

Where did you find that picture that is marked "Source Unknown"?? I know Redmond Aldrich designed that room as it is in their portfolio on their website, but I haven't seen that particular picture displaying the room from that angle. I'm OBSESSED with that room! Please let me know if you know where I can find out more!

CLAIRE WATKINS, ASID ALLIED said...

Love a painted door. Adds so much richness, doesn't it and it is so easy. The doors in my current apartment are painted a warm gray, not sure if its the perfect one, but love that they aren't white!

Kathysue said...

I have always wanted to do this also and when I read Joni's post I was almost brave enough to do so. Still gettting up the courage and also there is the hubby scenario!!! Kathysue

internal doors said...

Painted door matching room or wallpapered - something I'd not really considered, but I like the way it looks!

Sammy said...

I've painted every non wood door in my house black and love it. I don't think people can tell they aren't real wood now.