Let's Walk Through the Latest Door Trends

The functional feature has been getting a dose of flexibility, creativity and glamorous detail

Laura Gaskill 2 May 2015

Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers

Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More

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A just-right front door or interior door is a finishing touch that can really make a home sing. Interior Design Principal John Day of LDa Architecture and Interiors says, “Doors are very much moving from a utilitarian item with relatively few options — raised-panel, four-panel, natural wood or paint, hardware — into a design feature that can add architectural detail, color and texture to interior spaces.” Read on for style ideas and design considerations for your next door.

LDa Architecture & Interiors

Trend: Flexible doors for wide openings. With open floor plans and wider openings between spaces becoming more popular, interior bi-fold, double pocket and barn doors offer the ability to divide the space when needed or keep it open. “We’re finding that interior doors these days need to provide flexibility in space defining,” says senior associate Kyle Sheffield of LDa.

Emerick Architects

Double pocket doors with glass panels are also helpful when you want to close off an area, like a home office, while still letting light through to the rest of the home.

Discover the Ins and Outs of Pocket Doors

Emerick Architects

Trend: Getting creative with barn doors. “Loft and barn-type doors with sliding mounting tracks have been very popular,” says Melody Emerick of Emerick Architects. “These have been made with vintage wood, chalkboard panels, etc. Something to mix it up a little.” The paneled zinc barn door in this Portland, Oregon, industrial loft is so eye-catching it can take the place of artwork, and it helps close off the living space when needed.

5 Questions to Ask Before Installing a Barn Door

LDa Architecture & Interiors

Trend: Glamorous surface treatments. “We have begun using standard off-the-shelf doors and applying unique surfaces to them, such as wallpaper, chalk paint, nailheads or leather,” says Day. For a glamorous look, start with a plain door and pile on the detail — try a textured finish, ultra-glossy color or nailhead trim.

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Doug Simon ARCHITECTURE

Trend: Casual-chic front door. “Front doors have been trending to two extremes: ornate and decorative to informal and casual-chic,” says Sheffield. “Nailheads, exotic woods, leather and bold paint colors have been the palette on the more ornate doors, contrasting with the more relaxed Dutch door operations and French doors with simple materials, rich stains and unique glazing patterns.” If ornate finishes are not your cup of tea, try something with relaxed charm, like the Dutch door shown here. Paired with a fresh white interior, it lets the light and breezes flow.

Emerick Architects

How-to: Pick the right front door. When choosing a new front door for your home, consider the style of your house and how much privacy versus natural light you want, says Emerick. Also consider whether the door is under cover, which might allow for a different finish. “Doors facing south or west take a lot of weather-beating, so you need to be careful,” she says.

Work with a pro to design one-of-a-kind doors for your home

Emerick Architects

Trend: Vintage doors and lettering. A door rescued from an old office or warehouse (or a new door with vintage-style lettering) can make a unique feature in a home. Doors with frosted glass panels make the perfect surface for experimenting with sign-making — use letter decals for a quick (and removable) DIY option.

Oak Hill Architects

The un-trend: Solid wood. “I still love a classic solid-wood door with solid-brass hardware,” says Emerick. “It stands up to a lot of wear and tear and still looks beautiful.”

Tell us: Is there a door look you especially love?

More:
Houzz Quiz: What Color Should Your Front Door Be?
11 Reasons to Paint Your Interior Doors Black

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ellie59

Have 4 mahogany bi-fold doors from a 1920's home. Have converted my dinning room into a library/guest room that is open to my living room. Could these doors be used to close off the room when have overnight guests.

5 Likes 2 August 2015 at 3:10am

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grosiek

I have also reclaimed doors that were used as hinged garage door panels (total of 4). I will be using 2 of the panels on my library/guest room off my entry also. We will install them in the barn door method.

2 Likes 20 March 2016 at 10:29pm

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wjburgjr

Aluminum black doors

1 Like 9 July 2017 at 4:04pm