Door decor without special expenses - 5 real ways

If you want to update your interior while spending a minimal amount of money, then decorating your doors with your own hands would be an excellent solution. There are many ways to freshen up your home. Let's look at the most interesting and accessible of them.

Decor of interior doors

Glass door decor

Beautiful door decor

Wallpaper

One of the easiest ways to decorate interior doors with your own hands is to wallpaper. Wallpaper is a universal material that can be used for different types of finishes. Don’t think that after updating the door will seem old-fashioned. The main thing is to do everything carefully and choose a good combination of colors. The following types can be used for decoration:

• scraps of old wallpaper;
• plain bright materials;
• wallpaper with a pattern or ornament;
• photo wallpaper.

One of the fastest options is photo wallpaper for doors. Decorating with this material can be done quickly and accurately. In addition, there is an opportunity to show imagination, spend a little more of your time and become the owner of a unique result. So, how to decorate a door with your own hands using wallpaper? The work includes several steps.

Operating procedure

Surface preparation.	If there are abrasions, cracks, or unevenness, they are smoothed over with a special putty designed for woodwork. You can first remove the old paint and sand the door with sandpaper.
Decor.	Several options are allowed here. You can simply cover the door with wallpaper of the same type or make a composition of pieces on the canvas.

Door decor with drawings

Decorating doors with different shades

See also How to decorate a mirror with your own hands, photo.

Leather

Not everyone understands how to decorate an old interior door with leather. And this is not very difficult to do, after which the canvas will acquire an interesting appearance and style. Often, a door with this upholstery option is ordered in showrooms, but the work can also be done at home using leather substitute, which is available in a variety of color combinations.

To attach the leather to the canvas, you will need rivets that will help fix the material and fit the door well. This type of upholstery will fit perfectly into the loft style of the room.

Dye

Another simple way to update your interior is to paint the door. This design method has several important advantages.

• Affordable price.
• Durability.
• Possibility to hide stains.
• Lots of room for imagination.
• Ease of use.

Decor of interior doors

Decor of wooden doors

Beautiful door decor

Decorating using paint includes several stages.

• Remove the door from its hinges, lay it horizontally (it is better to take it out of the living room) and clean off the layer of old coating. This step is very important, since paint, unlike other decorative methods, does not hide uneven surfaces.
• Clean with sandpaper.
• Level with putty, dry, degrease the surface.
• It is better to paint not the entire surface at once, but in small squares, starting from the top. Each area should be painted evenly. If the plans include drawing a picture, then in any case, the first place should be a smooth background of the canvas. To avoid smudges, it is better to lay the door horizontally.
• After the paint has dried, the door must be varnished and dried again.
• The last step is to install the door in place.

When buying paint, it is better to choose acrylic paints; they apply in an even layer. It is not necessary to use brushes; a spray bottle will allow you to evenly and quickly change the color of the surface.

Door decor with drawings

Decorating doors with different shades

See alsoDoors in the interior: choice of color, type, shape.

Surface preparation before any type of decoration

At the preparatory stage, it is important to carefully treat the base of the surface. To do this, it is recommended to follow these steps:

• dismantle door hardware;
• remove the fabric from the loops and lay it on a horizontal surface;
• remove the previous coating - if it is paint, then it should be heated with a hair dryer and removed with a spatula;
• sand the coating thoroughly using fine-grain sandpaper, removing all small traces of the previous paint layer;
• cover with primer and putty;
• wait for it to dry completely - this will take at least a day;
• grind the surface;
• coat with a primer to increase the adhesion strength of the future coating to the door.

Additional decor

There are several other ways to add uniqueness to your door design.

• Craquelure varnish. If you apply it to a painted door leaf, small original cracks will appear on it.
• If available, moldings can be painted in a contrasting color. They are also easy to make with your own hands and decorate the door.
• Painting. This decoration will take a lot of time, but the result will be pleasing. For painting, minimal artistic abilities and limitless imagination are enough. You can draw anything: ornaments, flowers, ornate patterns, landscapes.
• The stencil is suitable for those who do not know how or are afraid to draw by hand. You can buy them in specialized stores or make them yourself from cardboard.

See alsoLight doors in the interior

Artistic art

An option for the advanced and gifted, those on whom the spirit of Aivazovsky, Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Monet rests. If you are a natural with brushes, then the door is a canvas for you, on which you need to splash out with your genius an intricate painting, abstraction, still life or even a self-portrait. To create a real wow effect, you can go beyond the doorway and reach 10-20 centimeters onto the walls of the room or even the floor. For example, you decided to depict a branchy tree that has too little space on the door leaf alone. The fruits from its branches stretch further and climb onto the walls, and fallen leaves rest on the floor.

The most important thing here is that all the dissimilar surfaces of the room can be organically combined with the chosen theme and the technology for its application.

If your last achievement in the field of painting was an A in fine art in high school, try first drawing a pencil sketch of a simple pattern and starting painting based on it.

Even a small design on the door will make it more unusual

If you know how to draw, you have a great opportunity to use your talent to update old doors

If the sophistication of artistic motifs is not important to you, involve children in the door decor. A minimalistic children's drawing from the series “Dad, Mom, Me – a Cheerful Family” will be more valuable to you than all the originals of world art.

Street style fans will welcome the idea of ​​decorating a door with graffiti.

Advice! Be prepared for the fact that small splashes may fall on both the door and the sofa or laminate flooring. Make sure you have a secure shelter in advance.

Stained glass

Stained glass is perfect for doors with glass. The result, as a rule, looks original and impressive. Acrylic or special stained glass paint may be suitable. You can actually buy them in art stores. More often they are sold in whole sets with detailed instructions.

You can apply absolutely any design to glass. In addition to paints, you will also need an outline. It is he who creates “metallic” boundaries between the painted pieces of colored glass.

When working, it is better to carefully remove the glass from the door to avoid smudges and accidental drops falling on the wood itself.

Decor of interior doors with a pattern

Glass door decor

Beautiful door decor

Actions are performed in the following sequence.

1. The glass is cleaned of dust and dirt and degreased.
2. Transfer from a printed drawing or apply a contour “by hand”. It must dry thoroughly, this can take up to three days. Most likely, you will need to reapply the contour to make it look more voluminous.
3. Paint the separated pieces with different colors and let them dry.

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Decoupage

An original and creative way to decorate doors with your own hands. Moreover, you can use it to decorate absolutely any surface. The work works especially well on high-quality wood. And vintage style is back in fashion.

Before applying pictures, the door must be treated with a primer or acrylic paint (if you need to level it, putty will do). After this, the creative process can begin.

For decoupage, special napkins (available in craft stores), wallpaper or fabric are usually used. In addition you will need:

• scissors;
• PVA glue;
• brushes, sponges, rollers.

First, the elements are applied to the surface, the exact location is noted, and different options are tried. Glue them using PVA (replacing glue is not recommended). You need to glue the picture from the center, smoothing out the bubbles and folds.

Door decor with drawings

Decorating doors with different shades

After drying, be sure to coat the surface with varnish.

Many people use various photos for decoupage. The technique remains the same, it is enough to simply separate the bottom layer of paper from the photo so that the gluing is reliable. You will have to do the same with the wallpaper.

See alsoFlowers in the interior. Photos and recommendations

How to update wooden interior doors: instructions

First, you need to think through the design of the future door in detail: it should fit well with the overall style of the room, combine with the furniture, floor, and decor. There are many simple ways to update a door: stick a film, veneer it, or apply paint or stain. If desired, you can use more complex techniques that turn an old door into a work of art.

Painting, varnishing and staining

The easiest way to update your doors without changing them is to paint them a new color. It is only important to choose high-quality paint that matches the color. This can be done from photos in manufacturers’ catalogs to match the shade of the floor or furniture. Most often, doors are painted with nitro enamel, acrylic or alkyd enamel. Acrylic paints are considered completely safe, while others emit a pungent odor that disappears only as the layer dries. It is advisable to carry out coloring in the fresh air.

Acrylic paints have a rich palette of shades, give a noble matte finish, and do not smell. It is recommended to apply a special furniture varnish as the second layer after the acrylic product, which has protective properties and increases the service life of the paint. Application is done with a roller or brush. To prevent brushes from leaving lint, they are pre-soaked in water for several hours and then combed out. Before any paint, it is recommended to coat the door with a wood primer, so the paint and varnish material will lie smoothly, without drips or stains.

In addition to painting, you can varnish the door. You should choose the appropriate remedy from the following varieties:

• acrylic;
• alkyd;
• polyurethane;
• nitro varnishes.

Before applying the varnish, a primer is also used, adding to it an antiseptic against rotting and mold. To make the transitions of varnish strokes unnoticeable, the product is applied with quick movements in a cross direction.

Stain is another option for an inexpensive and very beautiful coating for an old door. It is absorbed into the deep layers of wood, giving it a pleasant color and beautifully highlighting the structure of the material. After staining, it is also recommended to apply 1-2 layers of wood varnish.

Veneering

To completely renew the door and give it an expensive, elegant look, natural veneer is used. With its help, you can refine even cheap canvases made from pressed sawdust. Procedure for working with veneer:

• lay the door horizontally on the stools;
• start facing the canvas from the middle, moving towards the edges;
• lubricate a small area with special glue, apply finishing material, press;
• roll well;
• It is advisable to heat the surface with a construction hairdryer, and then carefully roll the veneer again - this will make the connection between the finish and the veneer itself more reliable.

After gluing the entire door, allow it to dry completely, then apply protective varnish or wax.

Self-adhesive film

There are many options for film on sale that imitate wood in color. It is easy to stick, hides defects in the base, and gives a more noble and beautiful look to the canvas. The procedure is as follows:

• cut the film according to the required size using a sharp knife;
• remove the protective layer from the wrong side, but not from the entire cut, but only 3-4 cm from the top;
• apply the film to the door, smooth it with a rubber spatula (you can use a regular rag instead);
• start tearing off the rest of the protective layer, not forgetting to immediately expel any air bubbles from under the film;
• trim the film at the corners;
• install fittings.

Photo wallpaper or vinyl

A piece of vinyl with a photo print made by an advertising company, or photo wallpaper of the required size will also help decorate the door, giving it a completely new look. It is important to purchase only washable photo wallpaper, because the door leaf can get dirty and will have to be washed regularly.

To glue photo wallpaper, you can use high-quality PVA (it is better to take carpentry compound). It is necessary to thoroughly lubricate the door with glue, press the finishing material well, smooth and level it. Of course, you first need to try on the photo wallpaper or vinyl dry to make sure that their size matches the dimensions of the door.

Wallpaper with moldings

Such an unusual decor option is often offered by designers when decorating a room in a classic style. With the help of vinyl or non-woven wallpaper and polyurethane moldings, you can create a bright accent in the room and enhance the style of the design. The background can be plain, patterned, saturated or pastel in color - at the request of the customer.

First you need to measure out the required piece of wallpaper. Then PVA wood glue is applied to the prepared, leveled door, finishing material is applied, and its surface is leveled with a rubber roller or rag. Air bubbles are immediately expelled with a plastic spatula from the center to the edges. It is advisable to buy wide wallpaper so as not to make joints. If there are joints, you will have to carefully adjust the two canvases to each other. The edges of the wallpaper are trimmed immediately before they get wet. Drying time is a day, then you can start gluing the moldings:

• make markings for platbands on the wall with a simple pencil;
• cut the moldings to the required length (3 pieces should come out);
• cut the moldings at an angle of 45 degrees - these will be the corners at the top of the door;
• Lubricate the back surface of the pieces with PVA or liquid nails, and glue them in place according to the markings.

Drawings and paintings

Drawing on the door surface has many advantages over other finishing methods. The appearance of the finished door will be unusual, exclusive, it can “fit” into absolutely any interior style. Other advantages of painting on the door leaf:

• ease of execution;
• the ability to use stencils if you have no artistic abilities;
• large selection of colors and materials.

The prepared door should be well degreased with alcohol. Next, a wood primer is applied in 2 layers, which will allow the paint to lie flat, without stains or drips. Then you need to make markings and apply an ornament or design. The door must be divided into zones so that the drawing is done accurately and correctly. When ready, paint individual elements of the picture in the desired colors with acrylic paints. Apply at least 2 layers of paint. To give a vintage look, the contours of the design are outlined in contrasting tones.

Decorating doors using decoupage technique

To decoupage, the door does not need to be removed from the jambs. If it does not have an old coating, it is enough to simply wash and dry the product, prime it with 1-2 layers. The opening should be sealed with construction tape. Soak the decoupage card in water for 12 minutes, remove it, and wipe off excess moisture with a rag. Remove the protection strips and attach the drawing to the pre-lubricated PVA door.

As in the case of wallpaper, the image should be carefully ironed, air bubbles expelled, and all wrinkles removed: otherwise it will be uneven and ugly. After complete drying, the surface of the door is coated with acrylic-based varnish in several layers.

Antique decoration

In vintage, retro and a number of other styles, various items, souvenirs, and antique finishes are very popular. Ready-made aged decor is rarely found in stores, but you can make it yourself. To give the door an original look, the craquelure technique is used - a two-layer application of varnish.

First you need to choose the right materials. Purchase two varnishes with different compositions and drying times. One of them should be a special wood varnish for craquelure; even a beginner can work with it, and there are detailed instructions on the package. The second varnish is bitumen, which has o.

The procedure is as follows:

• apply craquelure varnish to the pre-prepared door (use white or another light shade);
• after drying, a layer of bitumen varnish of a darker color is applied, which will enhance the contrast.

In the craquelure technique, you can also use a dark base varnish, but then, instead of bitumen, acrylic paint of the required shade is used as a second layer. After drying, the craquelure varnish becomes covered with a network of cracks, which gives the door a vintage look.

Decor with stencils

This technique is used for doors that have glass inserts. A picture or pattern is sketched on paper and cut out along the contours. The glass is degreased, cleaned, the drawing is leaned against it, and outlined on the back side with a marker. Then you can start drawing the image with acrylic paints, but from the front side. Afterwards you need to let the picture dry completely.

Artistic painting

Drawing on a door can involve the use of different artistic techniques. For example, first the canvas is completely dyed and only then a drawing is made on it in contrasting shades. Also, the picture can go beyond the door and continue along the walls: it will look unusual and very impressive. It is possible to apply paint to the door using a sponge, a spray can, or strokes. It is allowed to use interesting techniques - glazing, multi-layered strokes.

Creating an unusual texture

An original way to restore a door is to give it an interesting texture. In addition to the effect of artificial aging, which is obtained using craquelure varnish, you can use another technique. A lighter shade of paint is applied to the base, then a second layer is applied with a soft sponge, carefully blotted. Using this simple technique, spotted surfaces or “steel wool” type bases are obtained. There are also special paints on sale, thanks to which you can create the appearance of a canvas or a slate board from an ordinary door.

Patchwork for doors

A door made using this technique will fit well into any interior. To decorate it, you can use scraps of fabric, newspaper clippings, magazines, photographs, pieces of leather, and other items that go well with each other. It is better not to use this method for a bathroom or other damp room - the collage will quickly turn yellow and begin to become moldy. Patchwork is ideal for interior doors in the bedroom and living room.

As for the fabric for patchwork, it must be dense, not fraying at the edges, and, if necessary, have a small repeating pattern. The cuts can be overlocked, although this is not necessary. Fabrics and laces that are too light should not be glued in the area of ​​the door handle - they will soon become dirty. You will also need PVA, a furniture stapler and staples for the job. The procedure is simple:

• prime the door;
• apply PVA glue to the door area;
• attach scraps and other materials to create a picture;
• press well, roll with a roller;
• let the collage dry thoroughly;
• attach heavy elements to the door with a stapler;
• the finished object can be coated with furniture varnish.

Door lamination

For lamination, a special self-adhesive film is used. Unlike factory lamination, home lamination has a shorter service life due to the lack of the necessary pressing equipment. Externally, the result will be no worse than that of professionals.

First you need to buy a special film, which is sold in furniture component stores. The finishing material is glued onto a flat, smooth, grease-free door after removing the protective coating (first remove only its upper edge by 3-5 cm). After pasting the entire surface and expelling air bubbles with a plastic spatula, the film is heated with a construction hairdryer and rolled well. This will help the glue adhere more reliably to the surface. After the glue has dried, the product will be ready for use.

Glass inserts

To update the look of an old door, you can change the glass yourself or change the decor of the old one. Stained glass technology gives a particularly interesting effect. To complete it you will need special stained glass paints, a marker, brushes, and a finished sketch.

You need to work this way:

• remove the glass or the entire door and lay it horizontally;
• on the back side of the glass, draw the contours of the future stained glass window and all its sections;
• paint contour lines on the front side;
• after drying, fill the empty spaces with the desired shades;
• if desired, glue decor onto the paint that has not yet hardened: rhinestones, stones, pieces of colored glass (you can then circle them with a black marker);
• wait for the paint to dry completely;
• install the glass in its proper place.

Stained glass techniques are also used on the canvas itself. It is allowed to create the effect of a stained glass window with paints, as well as to cut holes in the door and insert pieces of multi-colored glass into them, the result will be a beautiful, exclusive composition.

Textile

Textile finishing is used infrequently, and in vain. This is a unique and easy way to dramatically change the look of an old door without breaking the bank. You need to buy fabric and prepare a piece of the desired size from it. A piece of fabric must be glued to the door using double-sided self-adhesive tape. It is important to remove all folds immediately, because after that it will be very difficult to peel off the tape.

It is better to avoid light colors in textiles: they get dirty quickly. Fabric with images of cartoon characters and fairy tales is ideal for a children's room. If desired, the finish can be replaced with a new fabric you like or one that is more suitable for the main style of the room.

Textile

Another original way to decorate a door is the patchwork technique. It's worth noting that not just any fabric will work. The choice largely depends on the room for which the door is intended. Decorating with fabric is more suitable for bedrooms or living rooms, but is very impractical for the bathroom, toilet, front door.

Using the patchwork technique, you can create a unique piece of furniture with your own hands. Particular attention will have to be paid to the choice of materials:

• when choosing fabric, you must take into account that it can shrink or stretch (it is better to take measurements with a damp cloth if glue will be used);
• When drying, the glue should not leave any traces;
• the edges of all flaps must be processed;
• It is recommended to use non-staining fabrics near door handles.

It is not necessary to use glue to work. With glazing beads or a furniture stapler, decorating will go even faster. A stronger fabric (tapestry) will be more reliable for the door leaf.

Decor of interior doors with a pattern

Decor of wooden doors

Beautiful door decor

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Updating the opening and slopes

In addition to the door itself, the doorway is also updated. If this is not done, then the canvas will have an unfinished appearance. To successfully complete the work described above, it is recommended to think through the finishing step by step.

The finishing of the slopes and openings should correspond to the interior of the door and room

At the first stage, the support guides are processed. Then they are repainted in the same color as the door leaf. In case of severe wear, plasterboard sheathing is mounted on the guides. If there are roughnesses, perforated corners are used for cladding. Then the opening is repainted.

Subsequently, you will need to install the trim correctly. For their installation, special clamps are used that hold the platbands well. If there are no fasteners, glue or self-tapping screws are used.

If the door is updated only with the opening, and the slopes remain the same, then the decorating process is considered incomplete. Various methods are used to finish slopes. More often, special MDF strips are used to update slopes. You can also install plasterboard slopes, which are fixed with perforated corners or glue .

Another technique for finishing a slope is plastering. This process is the most labor-intensive and requires experience and qualifications in this matter. Experts believe that the optimal solution is plastering followed by installation of perlite slopes, which are not cheap. But in the end you can get strong and durable slopes. Mold does not appear on them.

Stickers

A fairly simple and quick way to decorate doors with your own hands is to use vinyl stickers. It is perfect if the door is in good condition, but is simply tired and the owners want to add variety to the interior, decorate something. You can combine stickers and wallpaper.

Ready-made stickers can be selected at any repair store or ordered on specialized websites on the Internet. If you want to add even more originality, you can order stickers based on photos. For example, a door decorated with a collage of photos of all family members will look original.

Door decor with drawings

Decorating doors with different shades

You can also create them yourself. For this you will need:

• scissors;
• PVC film;
• cardboard.

The desired design is carefully transferred to cardboard, then its contours are cut out from self-adhesive film. The unique sticker is ready.

If there is any defect on the door leaf, you can buy stickers.

The option with stickers is more suitable for bathrooms than interior doors, as it perfectly repels moisture.

Decor of interior doors

Decor of wooden doors

Beautiful door decor

See alsoCreate room decor with your own hands from scrap materials

Specifics of finishing

The specific operating technology is determined by several factors:

But basically all the methods are similar and are performed according to a single algorithm.

It turns out that door trim is one of the best options for its reconstruction, which can be combined with insulation of the opening. In addition, any of the practiced techniques is completely doable independently, without outside help. And if the canvas has become dilapidated, do not rush to buy a new one - putting it in order, giving it a different look is not at all difficult, and it will cost much less.

Source

Mirror

Installing a mirror on the door surface is an original and quick renovation method. It will help hide many defects of an old piece of furniture. The mirror will look best on the front door, since the hallway must have a reflective surface.

Door decor with drawings

Decorating doors with different shades

See also Decorative stone in the interior: all the secrets of exquisite finishing

What can you do with the fittings?

If you don’t want to go to the store for new door handles, hinges, locks, or you simply don’t have the funds at the moment, you can also work on the fittings. Also, independent restoration of such elements will be necessary if they are unique (they were once made to order or are antiques).

To restore metal fittings, sand all parts with sandpaper. This will eliminate traces of corrosion. Degrease the surface and apply a layer of special primer-enamel - it is sold both in cans and as a spray (the second option is more convenient to use).

Mosaic

One of the most unusual decoration options is mosaic. It is used quite rarely, since not all doors can withstand a layer of ceramic coating. The thickness of the door leaf itself increases significantly, its quality suffers, but the result looks incredibly beautiful.

It is recommended to use mosaic tiles in fragments. This will not create a large load on the door leaf, and the decor will look bright and unusual. It can be attached with glue or liquid nails.

See alsoHow to use shelves in the interior

Adding an outlet

Another creative idea that doesn’t require a lot of investment. A ceiling rosette is easy to find in a hardware store: choose a lightweight foam product.

1. Clean the canvas, degrease and make the necessary marks so that the decorative part is exactly in the center.
2. Apply “Installation” or “Universal” glue evenly to the back of the socket around the entire circumference.
3. Stick the rosette on the door and press firmly. If necessary, secure with self-tapping screws and putty the joints.
4. Paint the product in the chosen color and install the handle.