Weekend DIY Project: How to Make an Ugly Interior Door Elegant
There's nothing beautiful about standard hollow-core doors but in a few easy steps they can have model good looks
My photographer friend Christina had me over to her house recently. Naturally, she inquired as to any ideas I could offer to make her home a bit nicer. Upon entry, I wanted to say, “Well, you can start by tossing those nasty hollow-core doors out the window, then setting them on fire.” But instead, the nice part of me decided to offer up a do-it-yourself upgrade – the same nice part that got tricked into staying and actually doing it. One protein bar, two jugs of ice water and about six hours of conversation later, here’s how we took Christina’s 40-year-old hollow-core door from eyesore to showstopper.
Take a look at my photographer's unphotogenic subject prior to its much-needed makeover. Cover model? I think not!
Two coats of white and black semi-gloss paint, two pieces of satin nickel hardware and a few lessons in camera exposure later, the entrance to Christina's dark room went from yesterday's news to today's cover story.
Step 1: Remove the existing hardware with a screwdriver. Next, listen attentively as your room thanks you dearly for removing the knobby eyesore, then chucking it in the bin outside.
Step 2: Use medium-grit sandpaper or a sanding block to remove the existing finish. In cases where a door sports a thick layer of polyurethane, it may be wise to use coarse grit to ensure you get rid of the slick surface entirely.
Step 3: Paint the entire door with the colour intended for the accent panel trim tone. It’s best to go with two coats so that the wood grain doesn’t peek through. This double layer of paint will also serve as a primer.
Step 4: Tape off accent panel trim with painters’ tape. While it’s okay to simply eyeball it, I suggest taking the extra time to measure appropriately, then lay the tape in place to keep everything symmetrical. Two panels work the best; keep the outside lines of the panel trim 7.5cm in from the edge of the door and leave 20 to 25cm between the top and bottom panels. This is a good rule-of-thumb for creating the proper scale.
Step 5: Once the panels are taped off, go all perfectionistic by fine-tuning intersecting pieces of tape, pressing them firmly to remove any air pockets.
Step 6: To ensure perfectly straight lines, cut away excess tape from corners with a utility knife.
Let’s take a look at what happens without taking the proper time to prep before painting the door surface colour. See the bleeds, smudges and uglies? Yep, those are what you’ll end up with if you don’t follow steps 5, 6 and 7. Patience, children – it’s a virtue. Pace yourself with paint preparation, it will pay off in the end. Pinkie swear.
Step 7: After checking to make sure all edges of tape are perfectly flush with the door, brush the door surface colour onto the door with a paint brush starting on the centre of the tape, pushing outward onto the door. Why? This will create a perfect line; brush strokes away from the tape ensure nothing creeps underneath it.
Step 8: Once you’ve used the brush to stroke the door surface colour out from the painters’ tape, use a roller to cover the remaining surface. NOTE: Avoid motion which pushes the roller down onto the tape, instead rolling up and off it.
Step 9: After slowly removing the painters’ tape, replace the hardware with something more up-to-date. Satin or polished nickel, chrome and oil-rubbed bronze usually work best in modern spaces.
In addition to door knobs, consider adding door knockers or graphic coat hooks to dress up the door – like jewellery or accessories with a new outfit.
While I recommend this project for hollow-core doors, it works just as well on those made from solid wood. High contrast offers up the most impact. Black and white is classic and goes with everything, but playing up two drastically different shades of your room’s wall colour works just as well.
As far as what the door used to look like, Christina’s clients don’t need to know. It can just be Houzz’s little secret.
YOUR SAY
What have you done to make your doors look better? Share your tips in the comments section.
MORE
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While I recommend this project for hollow-core doors, it works just as well on those made from solid wood. High contrast offers up the most impact. Black and white is classic and goes with everything, but playing up two drastically different shades of your room’s wall colour works just as well.
As far as what the door used to look like, Christina’s clients don’t need to know. It can just be Houzz’s little secret.
YOUR SAY
What have you done to make your doors look better? Share your tips in the comments section.
MORE
10 Incredibly Creative Ways to Transform a Plain Door
29 DIY Projects That Will Turn You Into a Pro
DIY Fix: How to Reupholster a Chair Seat
Weekend DIY Project: Art in a Book