8 paint ideas for interior doors

Walls in Egerton Place™ No. 297, Woodwork in Egyptain Grey™ No.154

Often overlooked and neglected, interior doors are rarely a key feature of interior design plans. However, doors are the entryway to your home and the transition from one room to another, you do not have to pass through blindly. Why not draw the eye to the door and make it stand out?

There are no interior design rules that state you must have bare wood or painted white doors. Your choice of door colour is as important as the wall colour you use next to it. Make it a focal point, for example, by painting it in a bright colour, colour drenching it in the same shade as the walls, or trying a complementary colour that finishes off the room décor harmoniously. 

Here are 8 creative ideas of paint colours to use on your living room, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom doors.

Is painting interior doors a good idea?

It is a wonderful idea, why neglect the door when it is an integral part of the room?

Doors are an ideal place to make a statement. Instead of an accent wall, you can make an internal door the focal point of the room. It is less risky to experiment with a bold pop of colour on a door than committing to a whole room.

The doorway is where you move from one zone to another; why not use a paint colour to signal that transition. You could have different colours on each side of the door to match the respective rooms; you will need to pick a side for the door's edges, or make a feature of this too and use a different colour altogether.

Walls in Morning Blue™ No.32, woodwork in Long Acre™ No.102

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 to add drama and vibrancy to a room, or perhaps a sense of calm and softness, your choice of interior door paint colour can instantly change the feel of the room.

These door painting ideas will make your space look that bit more creative and interesting to the eye.

Blush pink

Soft and sweet without being sickly, blush pink is a gentle paint colour that sits comfortably next to patterns or stronger colours. It is comforting and inviting, making it a perfect colour for a bedroom or relaxing living room.

In this nursery, the soft pink door and woodwork, makes a beautiful accompaniment to the floral-patterned wallpaper. Egerton Place™ No.297 has earthy undertones, which tie in naturally with the botanical theme. 

Skirting and door in Egerton Place™ No.297, Wardrobe in Rothschild Street™ No.296 - @asmalltownhouse

Woodwork in FTT-006™ Shocking Pink, Walls in Threadneedle™ No.262 - @halfpaintedhouse

Hot pink

In stark contrast to soft pink, hot pink is a showstopper. It is crying out for attention and to be the focal point of the room. It brings instant cheer and fun. Like Barbie herself, it adds a dramatic energy with plenty of character.

Our FTT-006™ Shocking Pink pairs beautifully with softer pink hues, greiges or whites; colours that do not compete for the same amount of attention as bright pink. Why not make doorways fun and dramatic?

Sunny yellow

We all need more joy in our lives. Bright and sunny yellow is such an uplifting, joyous colour. Used on an entryway, it provides guests with a warm welcome to your home and leaves an uplifting impression when they depart.

In this hallway, the golden yellow colour Golden Square™ No. 131 extends beyond the door, onto the surrounding door frame and skirting, and part of the wall and ceiling. It creates an impactful focal point, drawing the eye along the dark hallway to the vibrant yellow door.

Door and walls in Golden Square™ No.131, Hallway walls in Burlington Arcade™ No.216 - @jessalaviellis

Door in FTT-001™ Rich Gold, Walls in Brompton Road™ No.205, Skirting and door frame in Maugham White™ No.2 - @pinkhouseliving

Metallic gold

Lustrous gold elevates a room like nothing else. Painting an entire room in gold is a bold move and for some of us, that may feel too ostentatious. But a gold door only takes a little bit of bravery. It makes just enough of a statement without feeling over the top, but is more of a statement than simply adding a gold door knob to a white door.

In this child’s bedroom, the gold door pairs beautifully with the blue and green walls and crisp white woodwork. Gold is also a wonderful contrast to moody dark grey, deep blues and sleek blacks for a modern, sophisticated style.

Leafy green

If you are looking for something more grounded, try a muted green. Green is the ultimate natural, organic colour and is a wonderfully calming and reassuring shade. But mid-tone, botanical green is far from dull. It has a vibrancy and energy to it that works particularly well in living spaces.

Here, Mylands Sorrel Green adorns not only the door and frame, but also the bookshelves that surround the entryway.

Door Frame in Beauvais™ No.195, Walls in Museum™ No.151

Door, frame and shelving in Sorrel Green™ No.207 - @halfpaintedhouse

Door in Bedford Square™ No.229, Walls in Coral Orange™ No.277, Staircase in Proper Blue™ No.67

Sky blue

There is a certain serenity to a sky blue colour paint. When we say ‘sky’, we are talking about a clear blue sky rather than the perennial grey sky of a British autumn. There is a cleanliness to this colour which is why it makes sense as the doorway to a bathroom, utility room or kitchen.

In this living room however, it provides a cool contrast to the beautifully warm terracotta walls.

Dark earthy green

Earthy and grounded, dark green is a classic colour that is reminiscent of woodlands. Dark green is not as sombre and intense as a black would be, but equally, it's not as lively and upbeat as an emerald green. Dark green makes a fresh alternative to black or dark grey whilst still making an adventurous statement on your doors. It is used to great effect in this hallway, highlighting the doors and woodwork when paired with a much paler complementary green on the walls.

Doors in Artillery Ground™ No.164

Walls in Kensington Rose™ No.22, Door and doorframe in FTT-009™ - Bright Red

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.

A splash of red brings a touch of cheer and lifts your interior design. In this dining room, the red pop of colour on the door and woodwork is an easy way to add interest, personality and warmth in an otherwise white space.

What paint to use on interior doors?

The key to achieving a beautifully painted wooden door is a combination of preparation and the right paint.

• Use sandpaper to remove previous layers of paint on the old door.
• Clean with a damp cloth.
• Use wood filler to fill in any dents or chips, then sand it 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.
• Apply your chosen paint colour (we recommend using an acrylic paintbrush or roller). We always recommend applying a second coat for longevity. Make sure to choose the best paint finish for your door and the effect you want to achieve - high gloss, eggshell or matte finish.

Get creative with an exciting new look for your interior doors

If you are feeling inspired to try out a new paint colour on your doors, we are 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 project.