8 Paint Ideas for Interior Doors

Often overlooked and neglected, interior doors are rarely a key feature of design plans. Yet doors are the entryway to your home and the transition from one room to another, so you needn't pass through blindly, why not draw the eye to the door and make it stand out? There's no design rule that says doors must be bare wood or painted white; your choice of door colour is as important as the wall colour beside it. Make it a focal point, by painting it a bright colour, colour drenching it in the same shade as the walls, or trying a complementary colour that finishes the room harmoniously. Here are 8 creative paint ideas for living room, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom doors.

Is painting interior doors a good idea?

It's a wonderful idea, why neglect the door when it's an integral part of the room? Doors are ideal for making a statement; instead of an accent wall, make an internal door the focal point, since it's less risky to experiment with a bold pop of colour on a door than to commit to a whole room.

The doorway is where you move from one zone to another, so why not use colour to signal that transition? You could have different colours on each side to match the respective rooms, picking a side for the door's edges, or making a feature of that too with a different colour altogether.

8 paint ideas for interior doors

Giving an old door a makeover with a fresh coat of paint has a transformative effect; whether you want drama and vibrancy or calm and softness, your choice of door colour can instantly change the feel of a room, making your space that bit more creative and interesting to the eye.

Blush pink

Soft and sweet without being sickly, blush pink is a gentle colour that sits comfortably beside patterns or stronger colours, comforting and inviting, perfect for a bedroom or relaxing living room. In this nursery, the soft pink door and woodwork beautifully accompany the floral wallpaper, and Egerton Place™ No.297's earthy undertones tie in naturally with the botanical theme.

Hot pink

In stark contrast to soft pink, hot pink is a showstopper, crying out for attention and to be the focal point, bringing instant cheer and fun, and like Barbie herself adding dramatic energy and plenty of character. Our FTT-006™ Shocking Pink pairs beautifully with softer pinks, greiges or whites, colours that don't compete for the same attention as bright pink, so why not make doorways fun and dramatic?

Sunny yellow

We all need more joy, and bright, sunny yellow is such an uplifting, joyous colour; on an entryway it gives guests a warm welcome and leaves an uplifting impression as they leave. In this hallway, the golden yellow Golden Square™ No.131 extends beyond the door onto the surrounding frame, skirting and part of the wall and ceiling, creating an impactful focal point that draws the eye along the dark hallway to the vibrant yellow door.

Metallic gold

Lustrous gold elevates a room like nothing else; painting an entire room gold is a bold move that may feel too ostentatious for some, but a gold door takes only a little bravery, making just enough of a statement without going over the top, and more of one than simply adding a gold knob to a white door. In this child's bedroom, the gold door pairs beautifully with blue and green walls and crisp white woodwork, and gold also contrasts wonderfully with moody dark grey, deep blues and sleek blacks for a modern, sophisticated style.

Leafy green

If you want something more grounded, try a muted green, the ultimate natural, organic colour and wonderfully calming, though mid-tone botanical green is far from dull, with a vibrancy and energy that works especially well in living spaces. Here, Mylands Sorrel Green adorns not just the door and frame but the bookshelves surrounding the entryway.

Sky blue

There's a certain serenity to sky blue, and by 'sky' we mean a clear blue sky rather than the perennial grey of a British autumn; its cleanliness makes it a natural for the door to a bathroom, utility room or kitchen, though in this living room it provides a cool contrast to beautifully warm terracotta walls.

Dark earthy green

Earthy and grounded, dark green is a classic reminiscent of woodland, not as sombre and intense as black nor as lively as emerald, a fresh alternative to black or dark grey that still makes an adventurous statement, used to great effect in this hallway, highlighting the doors and woodwork against a much paler complementary green on the walls.

Bright red

Nothing makes a dramatic statement like a splash of red; just as a classic red lipstick completes a chic outfit, a smart red front door delivers instant kerb appeal, and a splash of red brings cheer and lifts your design. In this dining room, the red pop on the door and woodwork is an easy way to add interest, personality and warmth to an otherwise white space.

What paint to use on interior doors?

The key to a beautifully painted wooden door is preparation and the right paint. Sand off previous layers of paint from the old door; clean with a damp cloth; use wood filler for any dents or chips, then sand again; apply two coats of a good-quality primer (our Plant-Based Wood and Metal Primer and Undercoat range comes in five shades and is specially formulated to work in harmony with Mylands Plant-Based Multi-Surface Paint); then apply your chosen colour (we recommend an acrylic brush or roller), always adding a second coat for longevity. Choose the best finish for your door and desired effect, high gloss, eggshell or matte.

Get creative with a new look for your interior doors

If you're feeling inspired to try a new colour on your doors, we're here to help. Mylands paints are high-quality, low-VOC, highly pigmented luxury paints for interiors and exteriors, making it easy to find the best paint for your doorway transformation.