There are many factors to keep in mind when building and styling a new home. A homeowner must decide the number of bedrooms, types of flooring, bathroom design, kitchen layout, window style, wall colors, and so much more.
Interior door styles are sometimes chosen by default. However, the easiest, cheapest, or quickest choice is not always the style that best fits the home. Sometimes, just taking a few minutes to mindfully consider several key factors of your home, as well as your personal preferences, will help you choose an interior door style that really helps finish the look and feel of the home.
Some questions to ask when choosing interior doors are:
- Does this door enhance the home’s overall style?
- Does this door meet any practical needs?
- Will this door stand the test of time?
Architectural Style of the Home
Beautiful doors come in all shades and designs. Consider the architectural design of the home when choosing the perfect style for an interior door. Homes can have many styles including traditional, craftsman, modern, Tudor, and Mediterranean. Taking the time to understand the general style of a home goes a long way in choosing a door that highlights the home as well as brings cohesiveness to the entire project.
An intricate panel door may look great in a traditional home, whereas the same door may look out of place in a more modern home. Use the architectural style of the home as a starting point in your search for the perfect interior doors. This will allow for a beautiful finish that will be enjoyed for years to come.
Door Style
Interior door style options have increased greatly and can include:
- Barn
- Flush
- French
- Bifold
- Double Swing
- Panel
- Frameless
Each option provides further detail and interest to the space when incorporated into the home’s style or unique vibe. The following are a few of the most popular door styles:
Barn Doors
Barn doors are very popular with the recent farmhouse decor craze. Besides being a trendy option, they are space savers. Barn doors slide along a wall allowing for more space in doorways.
Hidden rail barn doors, such as those sold by Trendy Doors, conceal the hardware along the top of the door itself so that it appears the door is floating along the wall. This design is a fantastic choice for modern homes as it gives the room a modern, minimalist feel while maintaining the convenience and space savings of the barn door style.
French Doors
French doors help to create a more open, elegant space between rooms. They can allow for more light to enter the room as well.
Pocket Doors
Pocket doors are another great option for helping to create more open space between rooms. Pocket doors slide into hidden pockets in the wall, therefore coming in handy by allowing more space for furniture or wall decor.
Panel Doors
By using raised or recessed panels, this option adds further depth and detail to the space.
Type of Material
The type of material an interior door is made of is an important aspect to consider. There are several kinds of materials used to construct doors. Each has its positives and negatives depending on your preference and purpose.
Wood
Wood is a well-known choice for interior doors. Solid wood doors are usually made from hardwood trees, such as oak, cherry, or walnut. The color, wood grain pattern, or wood’s stability can all be factors used when choosing wood for a door. Although hardwood doors are beautiful and heavy-duty, they can be a high initial investment as well as have limited design flexibility.
MDF
Medium-density fiberboard, or MDF, is an extremely popular choice for stylish interior doors. MDF is made from wood fibers and resin. Solid wood can have variations in grain and color, but MDF allows for a more smooth and harmonious surface. MDF is generally more affordable than solid wood and is less prone to warping or expanding. This is especially helpful in humid climates or areas with more temperature fluctuations. MDF is also very well suited for painting because it has such a smooth and even surface.
Glass and Metal
Glass doors can provide a nice touch in kitchens or studies as they allow for more light and openness to enter the room. Metal doors are also an option that can bring a contemporary look to the space.
Solid or Hollow Core
Solid core doors are made with a solid substance in the inner thickness of the door. This solid substance can be made up of wood particles or composite materials. The solid interior adds weight and density that helps with sound insulation as well as giving the door a significant feel when handled.
A hollow core door has a honeycomb-type interior that is made up of cardboard or other lightweight material. This more spacious interior allows for a lighter feel when used. Hollow core doors are usually more cost-effective and easier to install than solid core doors. However, they have more limited durability and aren’t as effective as solid core doors for soundproofing.
Color
You may think that doors only come in black, brown, or white. However, there are many variations to these colors, as well as hundreds of paint options for interior doors! Choose a color that accents your other design elements and palettes. Painting or staining doors can also be an option if your preferences change down the road.
Remember: Lighter-colored doors can help make a room look larger and brighter. Darker door colors can add warmth or elegance to a room.
Hardware Styles and Finishes
Let’s talk about hardware. Although they are small, door handles, knobs, and hinges come in several shades and styles that can improve the aesthetic and functionality of the doors. There are many finishes for hardware including:
- Polished Brass: These add a classic touch with a bright shiny finish.
- Satin Nickel: This is a modern and versatile look with a smooth matte finish and a subtle sheen.
- Matte Black: This style has a modern and minimalist appearance as well as brings contrast to light-colored doors.
There are many hardware styles available on the market today including:
- Traditional
- Contemporary
- Vintage
Traditional Styled Hardware
The traditional home designer may look for timeless designs inspired by historical architectural styles. These often include complex details like beveled edges or ornamental rosettes.
Contemporary Styled Hardware
This style of hardware boasts sleek, minimalist designs using clean lines and geometric shapes. Contemporary hardware often uses matte finishes and is featured in minimalist, urban, or industrial-styled homes.
Vintage Styled Hardware
Vintage hardware is styled after days gone by. Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern, and other retro designs are popular choices. Vintage hardware may include bold colors, patterns, or retro-inspired motifs reminiscent of past historical periods.
The Search Is Over
The search for a perfect interior door can be a fun one! With all the options available on the market today, a homeowner or designer doesn’t need to look very far to find a door that adds to the style and class of a home.
Traditional, farmhouse, contemporary, vintage, Mediterranean, or any other style of home can be enhanced with a trendy interior door. Wood, paint, and hardware finishes can be mixed and matched to create the perfect finish for any style. Don’t be afraid to try a new style of door or type of hardware throughout the home. Remember, selecting doors is an important part of the home design process; choosing the right ones can truly transform the space!
