Decorating Guides
How to Decorate a Door
Don't let drab entrances or plain interior doors bring down the look of your home. Here are ways to dress them up
A door is a gateway, an introduction (and finale) to a room or the entire house – that’s why its design needs to be impactful and memorable. Looking for inspiration? Here’s a look at 12 internal and external door designs from which to borrow ideas.
Use special treatments
This door with gold-leaf work also sports a shining giant medallion with hand-etched gold mirror work on it, making it a bold entrance.
This door with gold-leaf work also sports a shining giant medallion with hand-etched gold mirror work on it, making it a bold entrance.
Don’t underestimate the power of paint
This blue door design with rectangles marked by slim white borders creates the illusion of panels and gives a dynamic look to the entrance.
Tip: Most doors and trims are painted in semi-gloss paint because it has a subtle shine to it and is easy to clean. If it’s a more shiny look you’re going for, use a high-gloss paint, which can make the colour look deep and reflective.
Learn how to paint interior doors
This blue door design with rectangles marked by slim white borders creates the illusion of panels and gives a dynamic look to the entrance.
Tip: Most doors and trims are painted in semi-gloss paint because it has a subtle shine to it and is easy to clean. If it’s a more shiny look you’re going for, use a high-gloss paint, which can make the colour look deep and reflective.
Learn how to paint interior doors
This door carved in wood has an elaborate tree painted on it. Its decorative look is complemented by the stained glass window next to it.
Experiment with grille work
The intricate grille design in turquoise gets a lift by the brick and white exterior, creating a quaint entrance.
See how grilles give a stylish edge to security
The intricate grille design in turquoise gets a lift by the brick and white exterior, creating a quaint entrance.
See how grilles give a stylish edge to security
Give it a 3D effect
Sandblasted patterns like these are an attractive option for a door design, as it gives the door a three-dimensional quality. The giant frosted-glass leaves provide pattern and privacy (and gaps to peek through).
Sandblasted patterns like these are an attractive option for a door design, as it gives the door a three-dimensional quality. The giant frosted-glass leaves provide pattern and privacy (and gaps to peek through).
Give your sliding or pocket doors a taste of glam, too
This intricately carved wooden sliding door with jali panels shows how traditional designs can blend with modern spaces.
This intricately carved wooden sliding door with jali panels shows how traditional designs can blend with modern spaces.
Frame the door with macrame curtains
We use curtains for windows so why not for doors as well? Consider adding a macrame curtain above your doors to enhance the look and feel of the space.
Note: Macrame is made through knotting instead of weaving. The knots are combined to create intricate patterns, and the piece often includes a length of fringe at the bottom.
We use curtains for windows so why not for doors as well? Consider adding a macrame curtain above your doors to enhance the look and feel of the space.
Note: Macrame is made through knotting instead of weaving. The knots are combined to create intricate patterns, and the piece often includes a length of fringe at the bottom.
…or with beads
Beaded doors can add a whimsical quality to spaces, like in this example. The thin curtain of beads provides a second, more dramatic entrance-like quality to the bedroom and adds a dainty touch to the decor of the space.
Beaded doors can add a whimsical quality to spaces, like in this example. The thin curtain of beads provides a second, more dramatic entrance-like quality to the bedroom and adds a dainty touch to the decor of the space.
Add metal studs for a grunge look
This studded door design in black adds a rugged, dramatic quality to the entrance.
Browse through images of door designs
This studded door design in black adds a rugged, dramatic quality to the entrance.
Browse through images of door designs
Try the magic of chalkboard paint
A ho-hum internal door like this is made eye-catching with chalkboard paint. You can keep changing the doodles, text and scribbles as you please, so the door always stays a conversation piece.
Tip: You don’t have to be an artist to work a chalkboard surface. Even simple shapes like squares, stars and triangles can spruce up a blank door.
A ho-hum internal door like this is made eye-catching with chalkboard paint. You can keep changing the doodles, text and scribbles as you please, so the door always stays a conversation piece.
Tip: You don’t have to be an artist to work a chalkboard surface. Even simple shapes like squares, stars and triangles can spruce up a blank door.
Play around with stickers
With door sticker designs like these, you can have a more organised home with clearly labelled areas; a touch of wit in the signage makes the mundane chores of the day that much lighter.
Read more:
Door Designs for a Traditional Welcome
Tell us:
Share your ideas with us on how to decorate a door. Write in Comments below.
With door sticker designs like these, you can have a more organised home with clearly labelled areas; a touch of wit in the signage makes the mundane chores of the day that much lighter.
Read more:
Door Designs for a Traditional Welcome
Tell us:
Share your ideas with us on how to decorate a door. Write in Comments below.
This space shows a seamless design scheme where the wallpaper on a door merges with walls and enriches the room with vibrant motifs and colour.