How to Change the Look of Interior Doors

Changing the look of an interior door can totally change the overall feel of a space in your home. The paint color, hardware and any additional accessories can make a room feel warmer and more pulled together. Changing the look is also easy, because you do not need to remove the door from its hinges to alter its appearance.

• 1

  Use a screwdriver to unscrew the lockset, or door handle. Pull both handles out of the door frame and set them aside.

• 2

  Look at the dead latch to see if it angles toward you or away from you. You will need a new dead latch that angles the same way so the door will close properly.

• 3

  Unscrew the two screws holding the dead latch in place, and pull the latch out.

• 4

  Fill a bucket with warm water and a squirt of mild soap. Dip a sponge into the soap, and scrub the front and back surfaces of the interior door. Wipe down the door with a clean, wet cloth to rinse it. Dry the door with a clean towel. Let the door air dry further for two hours.

• 5

  Paint an even layer of oil-based primer onto the door using a small paintbrush. Start painting at the top of the door, and work your way to the bottom. Paint both sides with the primer, and then let it dry for 24 hours.

• 6

  Sand down the surface of the primer with a 220-grit piece of sandpaper. Use a wet cloth to remove the dust.

• 7

  Paint the surface of the door in any color of interior paint you want. Select a color that goes with the colors of both spaces to which the door leads. This creates a unifying look in the space. Paint the back and front of the door. Let it dry overnight.

• 8

  Purchase a new dead latch and lock set, making sure you get a right-handed set if the door opens to the right, or a left-handed set if it opens the other way. Select a color or handle design that goes with your new decor.

• 9

  Insert the dead latch into the edge of the door and screw it into place. Insert the two handles of the lockset and screw them into place.

• 10

  Add a wreath or other decorative accent to the front of the door.