A trend started about 10 years ago that I took note of then, but didn’t do and that trend was painting interior doors black (yes, both sides!). Have you noticed that one? It’s one of those subtle little changes that can make a huge impact and I’m loving this one.
I have never painted all my doors black, but I have some friends who have done it (like my friend, Renae here in Atlanta) and the more I see it, the more I likey. And I’m about to do that in my new/old house. Paint every interior door black.
(via Habitually Chic)
Let me show you a few inspiration pics to show you how great it looks. The one above is a good example of a normal 6 paneled door painted black. Note that only the door and not the trim is painted.
(Via Shelterness)
This dramatic double black doors shows the impact they can make, especially with lighter walls.
(via Shelterness)
More black doors and wood floors. Beautiful!
(via Decorpad)
This dramatic black kitchen French doors along with that stunning lantern makes this kitchen swoon-worthy.
Not sure where this photo originated from, but it’s been all over blogland and I still love this foyer. It is perfection in my book and look, a black interior door.
(via WoolAcorn)
Black inside the front doors and painted black stair railing adds an extra wow factor in this pretty foyer.
Just to show you that everyday homeowners can get away with this one too, check out Sarah’s breakfast nook. I’ve highlighted Sarah’s house before on Feature Friday and love the impact this black door has with the wide striped curtain panels at the windows.
Joni, at Cote de Texas, covered this back in 2010, when she posted about updating your decor and stated that all of her builder’s grade interior doors were painted black.
Now this one, this one, really got my inspiration going. Let me tell you about Emily’s (A Well Dressed Home) black doors. I came across her post doing a Google search and got so excited when I saw what she started with.
Look at these smooth as a baby’s butt doors! These are white and mine are stained brown, but smooth, very smooth, with no architectural details AT ALL. Boring! I had contemplated changing out these doors, but that will be awhile down the road. I’ve got hardwoods and a kitchen to install first, so anything like this will just be on the back burner for now.
But once I saw how gorge Emily’s doors turned out by adding molding. Wow, oh wow! I can just do this and keep my doors for the long haul. Save myself some bucks.
Molding was added. Love how she did 3 panels of different sizes (she got inspiration from some fancy door place online). She had a handy man come in and install them. I can do this using liquid nails and my nail gun. And the miter saw.
Here’s another peek at how great Emily’s doors look now. Are you as amazed as I am? I am SO doing this. I’ll keep my plain ole’ smooth doors and just buy the trim for them. I am already painting my doors black. Now I will add the molding too which will really up their presence. I’ll paint mine with Black satin paint instead of semi-gloss. I think I’ll like that better.
It might be awhile before I can get to the molding, but painting them black will happen from the get-go. When I mentioned it to my dad, he looked at me with the usual, “what in the world is she going to dream up now?” look. 🙂
So, do you like the whole paint your interior doors black trend?
Or not?!
Me, yes, yes, yes, I’m loving it and you will see black interior doors in my house!
I love black interior doors. I painted all of the downstairs interior doors in my house about 8 years ago. I love the warmth it gives! People thought I was a little crazy at the time (well, mainly my hubby) but, he loved it when he saw it! It is one of those things that looks a lot better than it sounds! You have some GREAT pictures to make your case with. As for the dust, really no problem at all!
I totally agree. 🙂 I painted my laundry room doors and its shelves black, and it’s so clean and neat and absolutely beautiful and a joy each time I see it, which is dozens of times per day! 🙂
I like it in some houses, but I don’t see it in mine. I have gone more for a somewhat cottage look and just don’t see the doors jiving with our colors. I also do not want my outside front door black. I have a friend who used a deep, dark, Charleston green on her exterior and interior doors and that did look great too, but again, I don’t think it is for our house.
Love the idea of the molding/trim on the doors! That will look great.
tina
I never thought of doing that before but thry look beautiful. My front door is black but that is it. I can’t wait to see the pictures of the doors done.
Cynthia
Love the black doors- cant wait for your new/old home tour. I painted my kitchen door that leads to garage with black chalkboard paint- great for phone numbers, messages, to do list, whatever. My trim is white love it.
It is a very stunning look and helps to ground the room!
Ooh, the black doors will look great, especially with the added molding- great idea, can’t wait!
I love the look of black, but I also think going with a fun color looks awesome too. I’m contemplating painting the inside of the door to my garage a fun blue color.
I like black doors, but not for every room, although they do look good in your pictures. I think it depends on the paint colors you use in your house and how it will coordinate. I have more browns/taupes on the walls, and I tend to think the black doors coordinate better w/ whites and grays paint colors mainly in one’s house. I do like it for the front and back doors, regardless.
Unfortunately black would not work with my home, however, you basically have a blank slate and with the grey and white tones, they would look terrific in your new home….I say, if you love it…go for it!!
I absolutely love it! Your house seems bright enough to pull this off! My house is a little too dark for it… I wish it wasn’t and I would so do it! Can’t wait to see it done!
Congratulations on the new house! We are also moving and renovating our new/house. We are for sure painting the doors! But we have chosen a color other than black to compliment our decor but still provide a bit more polish. Can’t wait to see how your and my doors turn out!
I like the black doors but don’t know if it would look right in my home. I think I have too many browns. I do love the trim added to the doors! We have smooth doors and have also thought about replacing them but this seems like a great alternative. I can’t wait to show my husband.
Yay! I love black doors (wish I could convince the hubs of this). Can’t wait to see yours! I saw Emily’s black doors in person last year when I visited her- they were just as gorgeous in person- her whole house is just amazing! I liked the color she used as well (BM-Dragon’s Breath)
Thanks, Amanda!! 🙂
Another fabulous example of a black door is from Old Town Home – http://oldtownhome.com/2012/2/23/Vestibule-Project-Status-Complete/index.aspx
Love, love, LOVE these, Rhoda! Ten years ago, when I was still doing decorating for people, I did doors, trim and the stair railing all in black. It took some arm-twisting of my client’s hubby but, to this day, they love the black.
Yay for you!!!
Could you tell me if I should do all my window frames in Black and all baby smooth interior doors in black. I’m very black and white with a lot of art ,etc. in black and white. I use B.M. paint but have a somewhat open 1700 sq.ft. open house plan. 3/2 with the living room, dining room, foyer, and hall all has to be painted one color. I like color a stream line clean crisp colors. Can you help me with a color on the walls, trim, and I was going to add a little black to the white ceiling paint to give it that warm look. I would love to hear what colors and semi-gloss ,satin , or eggshell. Please let me know what black on the doors as far as Semi-gloss or Satin, etc. Would you paint black the 2 window frames and opening case to the open plan in the living room, dining room? I have to go pick out paint this week. I like bold look , but not tacky! LOL.. This will be my second time to go buy paint and a second painter. The last painter was fired and painted all my doors ,windows and casings black with oil base paint! HE WAS FIRED and left a BIG MESS! Please help me with some colors, shine, and casings, doors, and anything you can help me with would be GREATLY APPRECIATED! THANK YOU and I will post pictures of the outcome! 🙂
Yes! I did all our interior doors black about 8 years ago and have never regretted it! I have had so many compliments from people. It took 3 coats of paint to cover completely so it’s a lot of work, but absolutely worth it! It just adds that extra “something”. I have also seen a light gray color done on all the doors which is more of a subtle look but stunning! Good luck – go for it!
We have painted most of our interior doors black, and for the most part, we love it! My hubby has been less enthusiastic though, since he’s walked right into a closed black door in the early hours of the morning! (He’s nice to not turn on the light while I’m still asleep. :-0 ) Now we keep our bedroom door open during the night; either that, or we need to remember to feel for the door first!
Black entry doors are stunning, eye-catching, and sophisticated! Regarding interior doors, it seems, from your pictures, that the black interior doors relate to other black objects in the room. My house has very little black, so I think black doors would not be appropriate. I’m also wondering if the black doors break up the space, especially in a small house. However, the molding trick is gorgeous!
I’m enjoying your journey to make this house your home!
Hey Rhoda:
I have been reading your blog for years…and love it. I have a question about this post. Will you remove the doors to put the molding on or do you think it can be done without removing them? I also want to do this (add molding) and was so happy to see this post. I don’t know about the black paint in my house but I love it in everyone else’s. My other question is what about your hinges, etc. In my house someone painted over all the hinges which I hate but I’m not sure how to fix this problem. Do you have any ideas. Thanks very much. Kim
HI, Kim, I probably won’t remove the doors, will probably leave them in place, at least to paint them black. It will be awhile before I get to the molding part, too much else to do, but it will be on my list. I am trying not to paint over the hinges and they are an antique brass. Don’t plan to change them, but eventually I’ll change out all my interior door knobs which are all mismatched shiny brass and antique brass. I saw that there are hinge covers now to use when painting doors. Saw them at the home store. If your hinges are already painted, I would just leave them as long as they go with your doors.
I googled the hinge painted issue, and This Old House website says you can put the hinges in a crockpot with a bit of dish detergent and some water and just cook the paint off. You may have to lightly scrub a spot or two afterwards, but it basically falls off with a light rub. Then you can protect them when dry with a little beeswax or other coating. I also would suggest removing the doors to paint or add trimwork. It’s not hard, and makes the work easier. Just be sure to account for the “reveal” when adding moulding, so you don’t get too close to the edge! Hope that helps!
What do you think about dark plank tile, stained trim, off white walls and black painted doors?
HI, Carol, I think I like all of that but the stained trim with the black painted doors. I really love the contrast of white trim and dark doors the best.
I love the molding!
I’m not sure on the black doors, at least for my house. I think if you have a large, airy space it would look great. My kitchen door is painted red, which really stands out against the khaki wall paint.