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!
Rhoda, as an old believer that every room should have a touch of something black, I am LOVING the black doors…and the fact that you are painting all of them that color will add continuity to the house. Great idea!
Good luck with Haven…wish I was going! As a newbie blogger I am sure it would have been very beneficial to me…maybe next year.
Kelly
I LOVE the black doors! But I’m wondering how they would look since I have two rooms that are a dark chocolate brown?? Does the old saying “don’t wear black with brown” apply in decorating too? I’m just having trouble visualizing it.
I have definitely considered painting the inside of my front door black after seeing it on a few blogs.
I’ve been thinking about painting the interior side of my front door black, but I haven’t found the nerve yet, even though it’s just paint! I do love the idea of adding moulding to the plain jane doors. I was at a conference at a fancy hotel a few years back for work that was a little dull. I entertained myself by studying the trim that had been added to the otherwise flat doors. What an easy way to add elegance to a boring door!
I haven’t reviewed everyone’s comment yet, so sorry if I repeat.
I like the black door and I think they would look great in your master bedroom as the entryway to your bath area, especially if there were frosted glass in the door.
You showed a master bath with the bath/WC/sink on the left and then another sink in the center and then the closet on the right. Why don’t you enclose it all in and then make a larger dressing/closet area?
I had a condo with the bath/WC in one area and the sink in the adjoining but visible area and I always wished I enclosed the entire area for a more elegant look.
Having an open area might be efficient, but it sure isn’t elegant.
Liz
I love all these shots!! I painted the inside of my double front doors black, and love it! Over time, I think the solid black is a little stark, and I’d like to repaint them a softer dark charcoal. And I’ve been to Emily’s house….the doors are AMAZING and just make the rooms!
I have loved the look of the black doors for some time. And it would look amazing in my house! Hmmmm….will just have to haul off and do it without “bothering” hubby about it. Just like I did when I painted the front door turquoise. Thanks for the great idea, Rhoda! Can’t wait to see how your doors turn out.
Hugs from Victoria in Texas
When I was looking for a cheap fix for an all white kitchen when we moved a few years ago, I painted all the kitchen cabinets black. It instantly upped the style quotient in the kitchen for very little money. Can’t wait to see your doors…I hope you love them as much as I have my kitchen cabinets!
YES, the look is elegant as the color black is always. Love the idea of the molding, what a quick fix and a big difference it makes and gives it that custom look. It was a difficult and close toss up when I painted my doors and decided on ‘Spanish Tile Red’ by Valspar instead. Cant wait to see the impact it makes on your house…Good Luck, I know you can do it. Love and Blessings, Lady Delores.
I love black accents! Saw black doors on a Christmas home tour 2 years ago and have wanted to do the same. Only problem – I changed all of our locksets to oil rubbed bronze which I love. Not sure how they
would look with black doors.
Hey Rhoda! Lovely inspiration photos, and can’t wait to see how you work this out in your new house. Congrats, by the way! Also, I’m a big fan of painted interior doors, whether black, red, gray or any other color that suits your design choices. We just painted the doors to our peacock blue bedroom a deep, blood orange, as well as the door to my black and white striped bathroom. The graphic pop of the orange, peacock and black and white stripes just makes me soooo happy! Not for everyone, but we love it. Good luck on your project 🙂
I have some of those same photos saved on my computer and have been thinking about painting the interior of my front door black for ages. I think that is going to be one of my next projects. Thanks for the nudge. Your white trim looks awesome and really transforms the house. I love the idea of the trim and black doors everywhere. It is really going to spruce up those doors. Btw I just love how your parents are working so hard on this house with you. It is evident just how much they love you. You are very fortunate.
I’ve actually been thinking about this for a couple of weeks now. I certainly love the way they look! I would do it at our log cabin, not our full time home because that’s on the market and I don’t want to spend the time to fix something that’s pretty decent to begin with.
When you come into the cabin, you can see the refrigerator ahead of you which is black. To the left is a hallway about 15′ long with a door leading to the back. I think this door would look good painted black as it would complement the appliances.
I am seeing that many readers would be hesitant to paint their interior doors as they feel it wouldn’t look right unless they have grey walls. I have to say, I couldn’t disagree more… My friend, and crazy talented designer, Maria, has beige walls and her black doors are absolutely stunning! Check them out here:
http://beckdesignblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/what-im-loving.html
Emily Hewett
A Well Dressed Home
awelldressedhome.com/blog
It’s a very trendy idea and looks so stylish in the pics you have here, but not a fan for real life homes that do not have the drama that these exhibit. Might be great as a statement for say one room. I think the black and white color scheme might get wearing after awhile. Someone mentioned brown – that might be an option. White doors are just so classic and traditional….
I am over the moon for black doors! I’m working on a project now in my home and have been toying with the idea of incorporating black doors. I think you may have just inspired me to give it a try.
I have been obsessed with black doors forever, but I’m just so afraid that in my tiny bungalow they’ll chop things up too much. Still…this post has inspired me. I might have to give it a try once and for all. And that molding addition is brilliant! About half the doors in my house are original from the 1940s, and half are smooth hollow-core from teh 70s (who knows why!). I’ve never been able to afford to switch them out, but this might be my solution! Thanks, Rhoda!
Would you paint your doors black if you have rooms painted colors other than neutrals? These pics show pretty much all beige and gray colors…
Carol, I don’t think black doors would look all that great if you have a lot of dark or chopped up colors in your house. I am going very neutral in most of my spaces, so that is why I think it will work for me.
Rhoda–I have followed your blog for a long time but never commented–but today I feel led!!!! Painting your doors black, what a simple concept that is going to CHANGE my life!!!! I have 3 boys and a dog so this would REALLY help me with scuffs and chips etc. One question, I notice most of the pics. you posted had wood floors or dark floors….I have light beige tile, so…what do you think?? Go for it ??
Love it. I am going to paint my French doors in my dining are. So excited.