Why Painting Interior Doors Black is a Good Idea
Brush on some ebony paint and turn a dull doorway into a model of drop-dead sophistication
Fred Albert
18 March 2018
Houzz Contributor. Fred has written about architecture and design for many Web sites and magazines, including Houzz, Metropolitan Home, House Beautiful and Style 1900.
Houzz Contributor. Fred has written about architecture and design for many Web sites... More
A few months ago I saw a quote from a designer espousing the beauty of black doors. I had never thought about painting my doors black before.
Black doors don’t seem quite as radical to me. But the results can be transformative. Take a look at the photos that follow, and see if you become a convert as well.
Black doors don’t seem quite as radical to me. But the results can be transformative. Take a look at the photos that follow, and see if you become a convert as well.
1. They’re classy
OK, let’s state the obvious right from the start: Black doors are elegant. A white door would have looked charming and cottage-y in this entry hall. But splash on a bit of ebony paint, and you have instant, drop-dead sophistication.
I love the way the black door is framed by the black walls in the foreground. Which leads me to reason No. 2 …
OK, let’s state the obvious right from the start: Black doors are elegant. A white door would have looked charming and cottage-y in this entry hall. But splash on a bit of ebony paint, and you have instant, drop-dead sophistication.
I love the way the black door is framed by the black walls in the foreground. Which leads me to reason No. 2 …
2. They’re wonderful at picking up other black accents in the room
If you’ve got black elsewhere in the room, a black door will repeat the colour and make the space feel more cohesive.
Take a look at the magic of black interiors
If you’ve got black elsewhere in the room, a black door will repeat the colour and make the space feel more cohesive.
Take a look at the magic of black interiors
I love the way the black door echoes the colour of the bed frame in this room, giving the space a rich, masculine feeling.
Notice how in all these examples, the door casing was left white.
Notice how in all these examples, the door casing was left white.
3. They’re good at making things disappear
Got a door you want to downplay? Black is great at disguising shortcomings (like a large slab door, if that’s not your style) so you don’t notice them.
Black doors work well in an open space like this, but avoid using them in a confined area with a confluence of doorways, as they can look chaotic.
Got a door you want to downplay? Black is great at disguising shortcomings (like a large slab door, if that’s not your style) so you don’t notice them.
Black doors work well in an open space like this, but avoid using them in a confined area with a confluence of doorways, as they can look chaotic.
4. They frame views
Just as a piece of art looks better if it’s framed, a view is enhanced if there is something in the foreground to set it off. These black French doors make the greenery outside stand out.
Just as a piece of art looks better if it’s framed, a view is enhanced if there is something in the foreground to set it off. These black French doors make the greenery outside stand out.
The view doesn’t have to be outside, either.
5. They’re good to a void
Notice I didn’t say “avoid,” I said “a void.” As in, if you’ve got a dark painting or flat-panel TV, a black door will help mitigate the impact of those big, black voids, so they don’t look as noticeable in the room.
Notice I didn’t say “avoid,” I said “a void.” As in, if you’ve got a dark painting or flat-panel TV, a black door will help mitigate the impact of those big, black voids, so they don’t look as noticeable in the room.
This room looks fine now, but when the TV is turned off, there’s a big black hole in a fairly small space. The black door balances the void so the blank screen isn’t the only dark expanse in the room.
Check out innovative ways to hide a TV
Check out innovative ways to hide a TV
6. They make a stock door look special
Slap on some black paint, and a typical panelled door takes on an air of swanky elegance.
Slap on some black paint, and a typical panelled door takes on an air of swanky elegance.
7. They don’t show fingerprints
How many times have you had to clean dark smudges around a doorknob? Black doors won’t repel dirt – but they won’t show it as readily, either.
How many times have you had to clean dark smudges around a doorknob? Black doors won’t repel dirt – but they won’t show it as readily, either.
8. They mark a destination
This black door is like a punctuation mark at the end of a sentence – it marks the end of the long hallway and provides a clear destination.
Here are clever tricks for narrow hallways
This black door is like a punctuation mark at the end of a sentence – it marks the end of the long hallway and provides a clear destination.
Here are clever tricks for narrow hallways
9. They look great with dark floors
White doors would have been fine in this space. But I love the way the black doors extend that sultry, dramatic mood.
They also send a subtle message, suggesting that the spaces beyond are special. This would be a great way to keep out prying eyes if there’s not a clear distinction between public and private areas in your home.
White doors would have been fine in this space. But I love the way the black doors extend that sultry, dramatic mood.
They also send a subtle message, suggesting that the spaces beyond are special. This would be a great way to keep out prying eyes if there’s not a clear distinction between public and private areas in your home.
10. They add shine to a room
Every room could use a touch of reflection, especially if the other elements are textured or neutral. A mirror is one solution. A shiny black door is another.
Use a satin finish for minimal sheen. Or go for broke and apply a clear polyurethane topcoat for maximum shine and protection.
Every room could use a touch of reflection, especially if the other elements are textured or neutral. A mirror is one solution. A shiny black door is another.
Use a satin finish for minimal sheen. Or go for broke and apply a clear polyurethane topcoat for maximum shine and protection.
11. They make a ceiling look taller
Contrast draws the eye, so a narrow black door draws the eye up, making a low ceiling look higher. This makes black doors especially useful in basements or other low-ceilinged spaces.
Read more:
13 Creative Ways to Paint Interior Doors
Tell us:
What colour have you painted your interior door? Share images and your thoughts in the Comments below.
Contrast draws the eye, so a narrow black door draws the eye up, making a low ceiling look higher. This makes black doors especially useful in basements or other low-ceilinged spaces.
Read more:
13 Creative Ways to Paint Interior Doors
Tell us:
What colour have you painted your interior door? Share images and your thoughts in the Comments below.
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I have also painted all the trim black, including base boards and crown.
Stunning!
I painted all interior doors black, so classy and rich looking.
This article amused me because I live in a house where the interior doors have been black since 1935.