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The One Place You Haven’t Thought to Paint But Totally Should

published Feb 7, 2019
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(Image credit: Carina Romano)

Painting a door is a time-efficient, budget-friendly way to refresh a room. It can help break up the blank space and create a focal point just like a large piece of art, but it won’t cost you an arm and a leg. The best part? It’s just paint! You can switch it up every time you’re in the mood for something new.

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(Image credit: Abe Martinez)

Taking the door off the hinges can make the job easier, but it’s not totally necessary. Just cover the hinges and door knob in tape and cut away the excess with a craft knife. There’s no need to waste your time taping off the entire outline of the door; you’ll get a much crisper line using an angled brush. It can make the stakes feel higher, but as long as you’re moving slowly and carefully, you can definitely pull it off. Even if you don’t, just paint over any mistakes with some primer and the wall color.

(Image credit: Liz Calka)

You want to select a paint that has either a satin or a semi-gloss sheen, but when it comes to color, your choices are almost limitless. Looking to add drama? Dark colors like emerald, plum, or black are magical in the dining area or living room, or even an entryway.

(Image credit: Minette Hand)

A sparse room becomes playful and inviting when you inject a punchy, bright color. If your style is on the more traditional side, an off-white or a washed-out pastel will create a soothing sense of balance without pulling the eye away from other accents.

(Image credit: Minette Hand)

Colorful front doors are fun for you, your guests, and total strangers. They also add a significant amount of curb appeal if you’re thinking of selling your home in the future.

(Image credit: A Beautiful Mess)

If your door still feels like it’s missing something, consider installing molding, switching out the hardware, gluing on mirror panels, or creating a pattern with a second color. All four options will add dimension and decoration to your already awesome doors.

What color would you paint your door?

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