I’ve written the occasional DIY post, although the DIY is often a big fat fail. This time, however, I got it right. Even a DIY dummy like me can do it, and the project can make a huge difference in the look of your home.
I’m famous for starting a home decor project with gusto, only to lose steam after about an hour. Painting interior doors, however, is a task that works well with my attention span.
I am not a pretty handy girl, so I consulted one. Pretty Handy Girl popped up when I googled “how to paint interior doors,” and I followed her simple and clear instructions, complete with step-by-step photos.
I didn’t have to prime the doors (Pretty Handy Girl said that was okay), so I just wiped down the doors, took off the hardware, and started painting. In about thirty minutes, the first coat was done. It looked like crap:
The next day I painted the second coat, and then…that’s it. All done. I did paint the side of the doors, but I didn’t bother with the inside. No one opens my laundry room doors, and I can count on one hand the number of times a guest has opened my coat closet. But even if they do, it’s a clean edge between the side and back of the door, so I’m satisfied. If I were painting bedroom or bathroom doors, I would definitely paint both sides. But why make more work for myself?
I’m really pleased with the way the painted doors look. It was quick, easy, and painless – that’s my kind of project.
Note: I could not find basic black paint on any of the paint chip samples in the store. I had to ask the salesperson. Apparently “black” is not advertised as a color, but it’s available if you ask for it. The poor man could not understand that I just wanted plain old black paint when there are so many other choices.
Another note: Notice my black front door? That is the result of a massive DIY fail, and a story for another day. Stay tuned.
When you walk into my home, there are three doors directly to your left. The inside of my front door is black, as are the stair banisters. The white double doors open into the laundry room, and the single door is for the coat closet. There’s nothing wrong with the doors, but I felt that painting them black would pull together the entry area and give it a bit more sophistication.
I’m famous for starting a home decor project with gusto, only to lose steam after about an hour. Painting interior doors, however, is a task that works well with my attention span.
I am not a pretty handy girl, so I consulted one. Pretty Handy Girl popped up when I googled “how to paint interior doors,” and I followed her simple and clear instructions, complete with step-by-step photos.
I didn’t have to prime the doors (Pretty Handy Girl said that was okay), so I just wiped down the doors, took off the hardware, and started painting. In about thirty minutes, the first coat was done. It looked like crap:
The next day I painted the second coat, and then…that’s it. All done. I did paint the side of the doors, but I didn’t bother with the inside. No one opens my laundry room doors, and I can count on one hand the number of times a guest has opened my coat closet. But even if they do, it’s a clean edge between the side and back of the door, so I’m satisfied. If I were painting bedroom or bathroom doors, I would definitely paint both sides. But why make more work for myself?
I’m really pleased with the way the painted doors look. It was quick, easy, and painless – that’s my kind of project.
Note: I could not find basic black paint on any of the paint chip samples in the store. I had to ask the salesperson. Apparently “black” is not advertised as a color, but it’s available if you ask for it. The poor man could not understand that I just wanted plain old black paint when there are so many other choices.
Another note: Notice my black front door? That is the result of a massive DIY fail, and a story for another day. Stay tuned.
Very nice! I can’t tell what’s wrong with the front door. Anyway, I don’t think I would have been able to sleep after that first coat of paint.
Oh, that’s the fixed front door. I’ll show you the debacle next week. At least it makes for a good story!
the black doors look amazing. you know what else is amazing? your site design! GORGEOUS!
Thank you Catherine – I love it too. No more changes for a long time, though!
Wow, black doors are so bold and classy. Love it! What a great idea. You got my decorating wheels turning. I have a soft spot for dark colors. My living room is chocolate brown. It’s so cozy.
That does sound cozy – I love dark colors too, but I’d prefer to only paint small areas!
Turned out great, Dana!!
Thank you, Jenise – looking forward to showing you in person 🙂
Wow! It really did pull it all together and looks so much cleaner. Nice job! how did you ever think of that?
A friend of mine did it in her house, and once I started looking on Houzz I saw it everywhere. So I can’t take credit for the idea, but I do take credit for the execution!
I have a black front door too and now I’m embarrassed that I’ve never even considered doing the inside doors black. There’s a closet right when you walk in and I’ll bet it looks so much cooler black. Also? You have almost the same wall colors that I do. Ours have the same middle thing that I can’t remember the name of with diff paint on the bottom and top – I think we have the same colors but that ours are 2 shades lighter on both. Weird or cool? I vote cool.
It’s a chair rail, and I vote cool too!
Wow – love the black doors – looks awesome!!!
Thanks Kim!
Your black doors look amazing, and I love the way they make your wall colors pop! Good job!
Thanks, Debbie. My walls really need to be repainted, but I’m bringing in a professional for that job!
I agree. It definitely adds a touch of sophistication! I’m impressed!
Thanks, Parri! It really was pretty easy, but easy projects that look impressive are my favorites.
I think you did a great job! We have a lot of DIY projects to complete around the house. First up though is cleaning out my office!
How excited are you going to be when that job is done, Michelle? Happy cleaning!
It looks AMAZING!! I am seriously about to go right this second and paint my front door black, because I love it so much! WELL DONE!-Ashley
Make sure you get the right paint for your front door if it’s metal. I didn’t and it ended up all drippy and gross. And that led to the diy fail I alluded to at the end…it wasn’t pretty.
That looks AMAZING!!!! I love how sharp it all looks together as it all ties in with those beautiful shades of color!! And your entry is just so beautiful!!! Gosh, what a gorgeous home you have- from what I can peek around and see from the pictures anyway!! 😉
So good to be over here again. I’ve been out of town and just catching up… missed YOU!!
I’ve missed you too, Chris! And thank you for the kind words. My home is always a work in progress, but I do love it.
I LITERALLY just read a decorating post about adding a touch of black to make a room feel finished. You’re so cutting-edge!
Aww, you make me blush, Sarah. I have a transitional-leaning-to-contemporary style, so I like added touches of black to my decor.
Wowza, Dana! The final result is incredible! Way to go. I bow down to your DIY awesomeness!
Don’t bow too far, Nicole. Wait until you hear the story of my front door.
I LOVE The black doors, I truly will take any color over white…you made a smart choice. I have the same problem, I am terrible with follow through and probably poor motivation, LOLOL
That’s why this was the perfect project. It didn’t take long and I had to finish it or be faced with just one coat of paint, which looked horrible. There’s motivation for you!
Wow! I’d probably have painted it like a TARDIS. I like it. And what a difference from that first coat – eek!
I knew the first coat would be streaky, but I still got a little panicky. At least it made me do that second coat quickly!
I have absolutely ZERO design skills. Painting interior doors black would neve have occurred to me!
Painting interior doors isn’t something most people think to do, but I’ve seen it at a friend’s house and on some design websites, so I decided to go for it.
Love, love, love the black doors and think you did a great job here. Never knew you actually had to ask for black paint and totally taught me something new there on that, as I have never painted anything black myself in my home. But seriously great job 🙂
Thanks, Janine!