Did you undertake aesthetic repairs and discover that the old door leaf appears strange against the backdrop of the newly refurbished walls and that the budget does not yet allow for its replacement? The condition can be readily rectified without wasting time and money.
1. Painting
The easiest way to update a door is to paint it.
To achieve a flawless result, it is better to remove the canvas from the hinges and dismantle the handles before starting the process.
Remove the old paint layer with a remover or a hairdryer paint from the door if it has been painted. The laminated or polished surface is sanded and degreased to improve adhesion.
When choosing an inexpensive paint, you should prefer latex or acrylic compositions: they dry pretty quickly and practically do not smell during application. You can also use more expensive unique colors for furniture. The coating is applied in two layers and is allowed to dry completely.
2. Wallpaper
Another solution that does not require much effort is to wallpaper the door. It can be
- Wallpaper left after the walls are decorated – in this case, the door will be visually invisible against their background;
- A contrasting version with an interesting texture – one piece will be enough for work;
- Photo wallpaper – an original way to visually expand the boundaries of a room.
It is better to choose dense options with a relief surface – in this case, you will not have to level the door surface. You can also use paper ones, but it is more challenging to work with them, and after gluing, it is better to protect the surface with a varnish coating – otherwise, it will quickly become covered with scuffs and lose its appearance.
3. Painting
If you feel artistic talent in yourself, you can turn the door into a real work of art: a landscape or an abstract canvas.
For those who are not sure of their drawing abilities, there are more straightforward but no less effective ways:
- Stencil painting;
- Geometric ornament applied with masking tape.
4. Mirror
A great way to decorate a door in a hallway or bedroom is to turn it into a large mirror. This will not only allow you to appreciate your full-length appearance but also help make the room visually spacious and brighter.
You can attach an honest mirror to the door leaf or replace it with a flexible mirror sticker. Fans of creativity will love the idea of decorating the door surface with an ornament of mirror figures. These can be rhombuses, squares, circles, triangles, or more complex shapes: flowers, animal figures, silhouettes of houses, etc.
5. Self-adhesive film
Another method that does not lose its popularity. Due to the variety of colors and textures, you can choose from many options: decorate the door traditionally, like wood, stone, or choose a more original pattern. Self-adhesive is a relatively thin material, so it is glued to a leveled surface.
6. Moldings and sockets
This small detail will give the door a distinctive look. Choose an option that matches the style of the room. Models are readily available on the market. That perfectly complements both classic and modern furnishings.
A rosette glued to the surface of a door can also add an exciting touch to a room’s decor.
7. Aging
The “antique” door will be an excellent accent piece in the interior, sustained in Scandinavian, eco-friendly, or bohemian motives.
For such a design, the canvas is painted, then the places of future scuffs are rubbed with wax or paraffin and again covered with paint contrasting with the first layer. And after drying, the sites covered with wax are treated with sandpaper.
Foraging, you can use other techniques: craquelure, dry brush method.
8. Decoupage
When it comes to decoupage, many people think of floral decoration. However, this option is only suitable for interiors in shabby chic, country, or Provence.
A more acceptable way for modern premises is to paste over the door with fragments of geographical maps, newspapers, photographs, pages of a music book. This collage will go well with the fusion interior.
9. Cretaceous surface
It is an excellent idea for decorating a nursery or kitchen, but it is also not forbidden to use it in other house rooms.
- The child will be happy to draw on such a “board” write his first letters and words.
- Adults will be able to record to-do or shopping lists, leave messages to each other.
For this design, the door leaf is coated with special paint for blackboards or a mix of black acrylic paint with a dry building mixture, for example, with putty. As with conventional staining, for a more lasting result, the composition is applied in two layers.
10. Fabric upholstery
Leatherette door trim was once famous. Why not remember this method now if the “leather” door will be combined with the room’s decor?
You can use it for decoration and cotton or other fabric. The upholstery made of cloth made using the patchwork technique looks interesting.
Whichever way of updating the door you choose, do not forget to provide the updated canvas with new accessories – handles and hinges as a finishing touch.
