5 Ways to Update Interior Doors on a Budget :

5 Ways to Update Interior Doors on a Budget

Easily update interior doors on a budget with these 5 ideas

Knock knock, a budget interior door update has arrived!

We are onto the final phase of our budget friendly hallway makeover and of course upgrading the doors in this hallway was on the list.

There are a variety of creative and budget-friendly ways to update your interior doors and give them a fresh new look.

From simple painting techniques to stylish hardware upgrades, there are numerous easy and effective methods to enhance the appearance of your doors without breaking the bank.

Whether you’re looking to add a pop of color, incorporate decorative elements, or personalize your door knobs, I’m going to share 5 ways to update and transform your interior doors into stylish focal points!

It’s amazing how a few simple changes can make a big impact on your living space.

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Interior Door Painting Techniques and Color Trends

5 Ways to Update Interior Doors on a Budget

When it comes to updating interior doors, one of the most impactful and cost-effective methods is through painting.

Painting your doors can instantly refresh the look of a room and add a touch of personality to your space.

Here are some tips for painting an interior door:

I have tried both methods, brush painting and painting doors with a paint sprayer. Honestly I prefer leaving the doors hung and painting them with a brush.

The main benefit of painting a door while it’s still on the hinges is that you can paint both sides without having to wait for one side to dry first. Also sometimes doors don’t go back on as smoothly once they have been removed. I don’t know why but I am sure there is some science to back this up somewhere…

If your door is already painted, wipe it down with liquid sandpaper and then use a good primer. I know everyone loves to jump right into painting on the color (myself included) but quality prep-work really makes a huge difference.

I like to use All Surface Enamel Oil Primer from Sherwin Williams. It’s very hard and will reduce any chipping. Apply two coats of primer total, sanding with 220 grit sandpaper in between coats.

Once the primer is dry you can get to painting the interior door! I like to use an acrylic urethane enamel based paint because it self levels and you won’t have to worry about brush strokes.

Start by painting any recessed sections of the door first and any ornate details. Then move onto painting the rest of the door.

Two coats is the golden number I like to stick to when painting anything really. The main thing is to let each coat dry completely before painting the next one, or you will end up smearing the paint and have to sand it all off and start again.

Designer Picked Interior Door Paint Colors

Painting an interior door can be a huge update all on its own, especially if you choose the right color.

Here are some popular interior door color options:

White Interior Doors: Obviously white is a classic interior door color choice. Some of my favorite white paints are, White Dove by BM, Chantilly Lace by SW, and Simply White by BM.

Black Interior Doors: Black is another staple color for interior doors. The most popular dark paint colors for doors are, Black Magic by SW, Black by BM, Tricorn Black by SW.

Dark Gray Interior Doors: Dark gray is a great choice for a bold color swap. Popular dark gray paint colors are Classic French Gray by SW, Charcoal Slate by SW, Peppercorn by SW.

Taupe Interior Doors: Taupe is a popular choice for a subtle color change for interior doors. Taupe is also the perfect color for matching trim and doors. Some popular taupe colors are London Fog by BM, Smokey Taupe by BM, and Versatile Gray by SW. Find the taupe color samples here!

Colorful Interior Doors: Choosing to paint interior doors in a pop of color has become increasingly popular and making doors a focal point all their own! Here are a few of my favorite colorful interior door paint colors, Winter Lake by BM, Aegean Teal by BM, Peale Green by BM, and Pristine by BM.

Choosing the Right Interior Door Paint Finish

I highly recommend sealing the interior doors after you paint them and choosing the right finish is important.

For interior doors I always choose a semi-gloss or stain finish.

A semi-gloss finish will stand up to a lot of wear and tear and also cleans up very easily.

Truthfully satin is more my style though as usually I like things not so shiny. Satin will hold up well to wear and tear much better than an eggshell finish and I need all the hold up I can get with this toddler running around.

The inside of Eli’s playroom door is actually painted in a matte finish because that is what the entire room is painted in. Normally I wouldn’t recommend a matte finish because it is not known for easy clean-up. However I highly recommend Dunn-Edwards Dura matte finish paint, I haven’t tried other brands but this one cleans up very well and is extremely durable!

DIY Door Trim and Molding

Updating interior doors with DIY trim and molding is one of my favorite ways to elevate any space.

When we first started this hallway makeover I added a few boards to the existing door frames and baseboards to completely upgrade the look of the hallway.

Check Out the DIY Door Trim Tutorial Here!

Using large header boards above doors is a little trick I like to use to make the doorway and ceiling appear taller. Topping the header with a 1×2 board is a great way to complete the look for cheap.

You can also install molding and trim directly onto plain doors to give them a quick update. During our primary bedroom makeover I turned plain hollow core doors into fancy mirrored sliding doors for less than $100.

It’s amazing what a little wood can do to completely elevate the style of an interior door.

Swapping Builder Grade Door Handles & Knobs

Changing out the door handle or knob is a wonderful way to easily change the style and look of a room.

I rounded up a bunch of gorgeous brass door knobs from Amazon while I was searching for the perfect vintage inspired knobs for our hallway.

We ended up buying these diamond knobs and I am so glad I did! They are budget friendly and really heavy and well made.

If you don’t want to spend money replacing the door handles, grab a can of spray paint and just update the finish. Just don’t forget to also seal them with a clear sealer so they don’t chip after extended use.

Coordinate the door knob finish with other finishes in your home for a cohesive look. Or go with a different material all together like a porcelain or diamond door knob to add some character to the space.

Updating Interior Door Hardware

Doors knobs and levers aren’t the only hardware that can be updated and personalized on interior doors.

Strike plates, faceplates, and hinges might seem like small items but they can definitely add to the look of the entire door.

Plain hinges can be updated by choosing ornate and intricately designed hinges that correlate with your home’s style.

The finish of hinges, strike plates, and faceplates can also be changed to match new door hardware.

One easy way I like to update a door hinge without even removing it off the door is with a little Rub n Buff.

Simply tape off the door hinge and apply Rub n Buff with a small paint brush. This completely updated the look of the door hinges in our hallway for free!

Applying a Faux Finish to Interior Doors

Who doesn’t love a solid wood door! I love everything about them except the price…

One way to get the look of a wood interior door without doling out the big bucks is to paint a faux wood finish instead.

I have used this faux wood grain technique on countertops, furniture, cabinets, and even our exterior door.

It would be perfect for updating an interior door as well.

How to Paint a Faux Wood Finish

Start by priming the door, I prefer this primer when I am going to do a faux wood grain.

After the primer is dry, brush on a layer of stain, gel stain works best in my opinion. While the stain is still wet, use a graining tool to brush through the wet stain. Be sure you are going in a “natural” wood grain direction. For interior doors, laterally will be most realistic.

Let the wood grain layer dry completely before applying another stain layer on top of it. Depending on the color you want to achieve you may need two stain coats.

After the final stain layer is dry, seal the door with a gloss or semi-gloss finish.

This is such a simple way to create a wood door look and add some warmth and character to the room.

If you prefer, you can also use a faux wood door kit that comes with everything you need in it. This door kit is my favorite, I use this brand of paint a lot.