Decorating with Doors: Inside and Out

Normally you think of doors as something you shut to create privacy, or something you open to allow entrance into another space. But doors are far more than a functional piece; they create architectural statements inside and outside your home.  They can be sleek and modern, or paneled and traditional. Doors are beautiful in their natural wooden state; and they’re fun and lively when painted bold colors. You’ll find a number of ideas for decorating with doors, and I’m sharing several with you today … some from my home, and some from the homes of my blogging friends!

{ Traditional Exterior by Other Metro Paint & Wall Coverings Dulux Paint }

Let’s start with exterior doors!  Isn’t this one yummy??  A bold pink door is sure to make guests smile when they approach. I originally shared this door in a post about painted trim. I still love it today!

 

When we painted our house almost 2 years ago, I chose a bold aqua for our front door. I trimmed out the window in a dark vivid blue to give it a bit more oomph. For fun, I hung a basket of books on the door since I like to read out here on our farmhouse porch.

 

I found this turquoise door on a beautiful old stone house in a neighboring town. Look carefully and you’ll see an equally gorgeous wooden door behind the painted storm door.

 

This darling blue door is on another historic home in that same nearby town. I love walking around looking at architecture and this pretty little door caught my eye with its charming curb appeal. I even enjoy the peeling paint on the trim.

 

{ Exterior by Philadelphia Architects & Building Designers Eberlein Design Consultants Ltd. }

Speaking of architectural details, isn’t this arched door way amazing?  The wooden door makes a statement all its own, and the painted arch is just the icing on the cake. This home has great curb appeal and I featured this door in a post highlighting how to decorate with black.

 

Would you ever paint a door purple?  I think this one adds fresh style to an older home. When decorating with doors, don’t be afraid to go a little bold with color. If you don’t like it, you can simply paint it again to your liking. I included this colorful door in a previous post about creating curb appeal.

 

My friend Shannon at AKA Design added a fun “Hello” decal to her front door. But you need to head over to her blog to see what she did to the other side of her door!

 

Moving inside, my friend Danielle from Finding Silver Pennies put good old elbow grease to work when she stripped the paint from the inside of her front door. I’m so glad she did because this wooden door on her Eastern seaboard home is rich and stunning!

 

This impressive sliding barn door from Rachel at Shades of Blue Interiors shows what a statement can be made when decorating with doors. She applied just the right patina to her paneled door and it’s so incredibly dreamy!

 

Lucy at Craftberry Bush proves doors don’t have to be functional at all. Aged and propped against a wall, her door serves as an architectural prop for a pretty handmade wreath.

 

All of the interior doors in my farmhouse are painted white. This paneled bedroom door has a hook where a flea market straw hat hangs. Next to it is an old barn door that I painted and use as a full length mirror.

 

Traditional Deck by Cambridge Architects & Building Designers Frank Shirley Architects

Beautiful French doors are always a great choice when you want to add architectural detail to your home. This set also happens to have an amazing view outside!

 

Beach Style Entry by Manhattan Beach Interior Designers & Decorators Noelle Interiors

And finally, one of the most charming doors of all is the Dutch door!

Decorating with doors can be fun and an easy way to experiment with colors when you paint them. Have you added a unique spin on doors in your own home?  If yes, tell me how in the comments below. I’d love to hear your ideas!