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5 Budget Door Upgrades That Make a Statement

Timothy Dahl

By Timothy Dahl
Published December 8, 2022

Save money replacing your worn-out and dated interior doors by transforming them with some simple updates. From replacing the doorknobs to adding molding details, these inexpensive and easy changes will make your doors more stylish and functional.

Woman seated painted a door red.

Paint Your Doors

Paint a door white using a paint brush.

Brown hollow-core doors are a staple of 80s and 90s era homes. Instead of replacing them, give them a fresh coat of paint. Painting doors is an easy DIY project that anyone can take on. The hardest part can be deciding on the color. Black interior doors are on-trend, but any color besides brown will make an impact.

To paint your doors, you’ll need a couple of sawhorses to hold the doors horizontal, sandpaper to prep the doors for painting and a paint roller or brush. If your doors are a dark natural wood or painted a dark color start with a primer for coverup and then paint at least two coats. 

Semi-gloss is the most popular sheen for interior doors. It’s easier to clean and looks great next to walls of the same color that have a satin or eggshell finish. Doors are subject to quite a bit of wear and tear, so give them enough paint to stand up to it.

Tip

Don’t forget to paint the trim as well. It should be the same sheen and color as the door.

Replace the Door Knobs

A silver door knob on a white door.

A worn and dated-looking door knob can ruin the vibe in a contemporary room. Fortunately, this is an easy solve. Replace the door knob using the existing cutouts in the doors and jambs.  

A round door knob isn’t the only option, there are a ton of different shapes, colors and finishes to choose from. Designed to match your interior style. Adding square door levers is an instant way to modernize your home, but if that’s not your vibe, select from a variety of transitional style door knobs that will look great in any home. 

Updating your door knobs is a great time to consider adding a privacy or keyed knob. Privacy knobs are generally used for bedrooms and bathrooms and keyed knobs are usually on exterior doors as well as interior doors to rooms or closets that you want to keep more secure.

Install New Hinges

Installing a hinge on a door.

Hinges might be an afterthought when replacing your door hardware, but don’t skip updating them when you change your door knobs. It’s important to match your door knob and hinge colors to give your doors a more uniform look. 

Hinge design options are limited, but there are some important factors to consider since not all door hinges are the same. Make sure you choose the correct door hinge size or else you'll need to remove some wood from the door jamb and door which can be a hassle.  

Hinge corners can also be squared or rounded, and hinges can be attached using two, three or four screws. Go wild choosing a color and finish but make the project easier by choosing a hinge that’s the same shape and size.

Wallpaper Your Door

Blue and white wallpapered living room with blue wainscoting.

If you absolutely love your wallpaper, try applying it to your door for a seamless look. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is the easiest to use and you can choose to wallpaper the entire door or cut the wallpaper into various shapes and sizes. This is a fun idea for a kid’s room. 

Add personality to a paneled door by wallpapering the inside of the panel. Choose wallpaper with repeating patterns so you can match them on each panel. When applying the wallpaper to a door, make sure the surface is clean and smooth as doors can easily pick up more dirt than a wall.

Create a Moulding Design

Beautiful living room with matching moulding details on the walls and doors.

Another way to add drama to an entryway is by adding moulding in a square or rounded shape on your door. Create your own panel by applying wood or flexible moulding in a shape or design of your choosing. 

A pin nailer works to secure the moulding. Before you paint, caulk the gaps between the moulding and the door.  You’ll also need a miter box to cut corners so everything lines up neatly.  

This technique is a great way to add mid-century or traditional vibes to your home.

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