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How to make old doors look new without investing huge amounts of money are simpler than you could ever imagine. Honestly speaking, when was the last time you paid attention to your doors? Dried paint, fading wood, a little loose door handle, and voila, your room looks like something from the past. Doors are continuously used, slammed into, handled, and that’s why they usually become old-looking the fastest.
Don’t panic there is no need to get rid of them. If you have been asking yourself how to rejuvenate old doors, a few clever and cost-effective tricks will help to create a tremendous change.
Check out 11 brilliant hacks which will be helpful for revitalizing wooden, painted, interior, and front doors. Let’s give your old doors a new life!
How to Make Old Doors Look New with Simple DIY Upgrades
First things first: take some time to study your door carefully. Does it need painting? Does it have scratches? What kind of problems does your door suffer from? This will help you choose the right approach.
1. Paint Your Old Door
If you want to quickly transform your old door into a new one, choose a coat of paint. It will not only give your door a nice new look but will cover any scratches and other damages. Do not know which paint color you should choose? Then do not worry white, greige, charcoal, sage green and navy shades are always a good idea.
To paint your door, first of all, you need to clean it properly. Grease and dirt will prevent your paint from sticking to the door. After that, lightly sand the door surface and dust it. Then apply the primer on the door and start painting using thin coats. Most interior doors can be painted using satin or semi-gloss paint due to its resistance to dirt.
For better results, follow this step-by-step guide to painting an interior door to learn how to prepare the surface and apply paint correctly.
2. Repair Scratches, Dents and Minor Imperfections
No matter how beautiful your chosen paint color may be, a big dent will never go unnoticed. So check the surface carefully for scratches, small holes and dents before painting. Your hand will help you to find imperfections even if your eyes won’t catch them.
For minor dents you should put some wood filler into them, wait until it gets dry and then sand. A simple touch-up pen might solve light scratches on stained wood. Remember that any cracks, soft and crumbly wood might indicate rot, so leave this issue to professionals. The key idea is to fix minor issues before painting.
3. Bring Back the Natural Warmth of Wood
The best make-over for your door is no painting at all. In case your door is made of wood, refinishing will bring back the warmth of wood grain.
First, assess the current finish, then sand it back, dust it off, and put a suitable stain on. The final step is to put a topcoat to protect it all. Here’s an important note: be careful about the veneer doors since the veneer is thin and it can sand through fast.
Also, keep in mind that in very old houses, paint might contain lead, which should be tested before sanding. Door restoration requires some work but the final result will make it all worth it.
4. Upgrade Old Handles and Knobs
This small renovation will bring a big effect. If the doors are old, shiny or just look worn out then the new painting job won’t look complete. The installation of the new hardware is a fast and inexpensive door improvement.
The popular choices are brushed brass which brings the classical look. The matte black adds a modern touch and brushed nickel and chrome add elegance without being complicated. When choosing a new handle check the thickness of the door, backset and spacing of the holes on the door.
5. Decorate with Molding to Enhance Your Door with Panels
Do you own a standard plain flat door? If that’s the case, you should consider adding molding to give it a luxurious appearance. Thin pieces of decorative molding that form simple rectangular designs will give the impression of raised panels.
Keep the design symmetrical and simple. After careful measuring, cutting, and installation of all pieces, cover the joints, lightly sand the surface, and paint it in one color to create harmony between the door and the trim. This method is one of the most effective when you need to enhance your door on a budget.
6. Upgrade the Door Frame and Surrounding Trim
Do you know what is often overlooked while remodeling doors? It is possible to update the door itself, but what if the trim around it is damaged and looks old? You definitely need to consider the surrounding area as well.
It is important to clean the trim, fill small holes if necessary, and sand out the rough areas. Next, use appropriate caulking and repaint it. You can use the same color as the door or go for contrasting colors for a more unique look.
7. Replace or Improve the Hinges
Though tiny, hinges play an important role. Dirty or rusted hinges that do not match the rest of your doors will ruin any good makeover. In some cases, it is enough just to wash them up.
If you need to change your old hinges, install new hinges of the same size and shape. Make sure to match their color to your new door handle – if the latter is made of brass, your hinges should be brass, if the handle is black – your hinges should also be black.
8. Add Some Originality by Painting Your Door a Two-Tone or Geometrical Pattern
In case you want something more fancy, try making your door two-toned. You could paint it so that the panels would be painted in one color and the frames in another, add some borders, try to play with colors by creating different color blocks.
Use painter’s tape, measure everything well, make sure to test your color combinations beforehand. Do not try to make your design too complicated because sophisticated always looks better than elaborate. Here are some ideas for creating accent walls in case you like such kinds of projects.
9. Bring in Some Easy-to-Finish Accents
Small details can make your door unique and beautiful. A classic door knocker, a well-made backplate, or another decoration can improve the look at low prices.
Keep the proportions in mind. It won’t look good if the accents are too small for a big door or too big for a small one. Choose accents that fit your house. For modern interiors, use simple and sleek designs, but warm accents will be perfect for the traditional house. If you like retro and simple accents, you should look through our mid-century modern ideas for color and metal.
10. Refresh Your Front Door to Get Immediate Appeal
The front door is seen by everyone first, so you need to pay special attention to it. One of the easiest ways to do it is learning how to refresh your front door.
Instead, use exterior paint that is more resistant to the elements. Navy blue, forest green, charcoal, and deep red are all classic colors that look good depending on your house. Buy exterior hardware as well. It’s best to always check the weather first, and then adhere to the drying instructions listed on the paint can as dampness and heat can affect the finish adversely.
11. Protect Your Door With a Protective Finish
All your hard work is done, so you should try to protect it. A suitable protective finish will help your door become more resistant to scuffs and daily wear. Bear in mind that painted and stained wooden doors require different finishes, so be sure to read the label first.
Lastly, it’s quite easy to take care of your door. You just have to wipe it with a soft cloth and cleaning agent, and repair any scuffs promptly before they become bigger.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Updating Old Doors
Even a great idea can go wrong if you rush. Here are the mistakes that trip people up most often:
- Painting over dirt or peeling paint. The new coat won’t stick and will flake off soon.
- Skipping primer. Many surfaces need it for even color and strong grip.
- Mixing incompatible products. Paint, stain, and topcoats don’t always work together.
- Sanding veneer too hard. You can wear straight through the thin top layer.
- Ignoring other problems. A sticking door or loose latch will still bother you after the makeover.
- Poor ventilation. Open a window and follow the safety instructions on every product.
- Rushing the drying time. Adding a new layer too early leaves a sticky, uneven finish.
What Is the Price of Restoring an Old Door to Look Like New?
The straight answer is that it varies depending on the size of the door, the state of the door, the materials you use, and the tools you have at hand.
If you just clean the door and replace its hardware, you will pay less compared to painting and finishing it. If you want to repair the door or apply any special finish to it, the price will be increased.
In my opinion, you should first check your door, and then spend your money on the elements of the door which are more noticeable. Usually, you will achieve maximum results if you repaint and add a new handle.
FAQ
How can I make an old door look new without replacing it?
Clean the door, paint it, repair it, install new hardware, and replace the trim.
Which is the simplest method of refreshing an existing interior door?
First, clean the door thoroughly. Then apply paint if necessary and use modern hardware. The combination of these three things will have a significant impact on the result with minimal effort required.
Can I paint my wooden door without sanding it?
It might be possible to do so in some cases as there are a few types of products requiring minimal preparations. However, it all depends on the initial state of the door and whether the paint will adhere to it.
How can I make my simple door look expensive?
Install beautiful molding, select a sophisticated paint color, harmonize hardware and maintain perfect trimming. It will turn an ordinary door into a fancy one.
Is it preferable to paint or stain my wooden door?
Painting is the right choice if you want to change the color or conceal any imperfections of the door. Staining is preferable in case the wood is beautiful and the surface is good enough.
Transform an Old Door to a Fashionable One
You now have some tips on how to make old doors look new without spending too much money. Painting, repairing, replacement of hardware, and trimming are those improvements that work best. You do not have to do all of these; just select one or two that suit your door.
Visit OliviHome for other home renovation ideas.
