To Paint All Interior Doors Black or Not?

[Anonymous]

Designer here.

I like the black door trend, usually in a pearl-finish paint. Gray seems random to me, but I have never used this on a door.

I would guess that many of the PPs heartily objecting just don't have a vision for this, and have probably seen it and liked it (or not noticed enough to object).

You can't really paint standard 4-paneled builder's doors black because that would be silly looking, but if you have very contemporary flat front doors or older interesting doors, it looks sharp and it fits. Especially if you have iron windows.

[Anonymous]

I would go gray, OP. You really do need a lot of natural light to make black doors look good.

[Anonymous]

I love the look of black doors. I agree with the designer who says gray may look random though. Either fully commit or don't commit at all!

[Anonymous]

Wouldn't do it. It will get old quickly.

[Anonymous]

People in dc has the worst god awful taste. Have you been to open houses? I have literally never ever seen a well decorated home on one! They are either traditional and frumpy or just shitty and full of ikea.

Black would be fantastic for your space. Do it.

[Anonymous]

We moved to Charlotte and I was surprised to see this trend in many, many houses. I'd ever seen it in DC. The doors almost looked like they were painted in chalk board paint. It looks cool, but I don't have the guts to do it. I'm also seeing a lot of black interior windows. I also love the look but don't have the guts to do it.

[Anonymous]

A relative has black doors in the pearly finish the decorator describes. She has several small kids and said one of the benefits is no grimy fingerprints.

They looked fabulous--I can't remember all the wall colors, but I do remember some of them were a pale yellow. May not sound very good, but after seeing her house I wanted to go home and immediately paint all my doors black. Didn't--stodgy DH.

I'd say go for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A relative has black doors in the pearly finish the decorator describes. She has several small kids and said one of the benefits is no grimy fingerprints.

They looked fabulous--I can't remember all the wall colors, but I do remember some of them were a pale yellow. May not sound very good, but after seeing her house I wanted to go home and immediately paint all my doors black. Didn't--stodgy DH.

I'd say go for it.

PS Didn't see the post directly above. My relative lives in Charlotte--must be a thing there.

[Anonymous]

Staining yes, painting NO because of chips

[Anonymous]

NO. You will bump into them at night, and break your nose. If you hit one with your face when you come at the edge, holy fuck!

[Anonymous]

I think it makes a house look like a morgue. It makes me think that there are dead bodies behind the doors. And it really makes a room or hallway gloomy after the sun goes down. You'll need really bright lights and spend a lot on electricity on lighting after dark.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Designer here.

I like the black door trend, usually in a pearl-finish paint. Gray seems random to me, but I have never used this on a door.

I would guess that many of the PPs heartily objecting just don't have a vision for this, and have probably seen it and liked it (or not noticed enough to object).

You can't really paint standard 4-paneled builder's doors black because that would be silly looking, but if you have very contemporary flat front doors or older interesting doors, it looks sharp and it fits. Especially if you have iron windows.

OP here. I agree with you. My dilemma is that we have traditional wood four paneled doors -- granted they are nice wood, but still no arches and no iron. I think I'm going to go for it. What the hell. I'll start with the foyer door, if it looks awful then I can just repaint it back to white.

Any recommendations on your favorite black? I use Benjamin Moore paints -- usually.

[Anonymous]

Do you live in LA? Does your style run toward Miami Vice/1980's chic? Do you have tiger print in at least one place in every room? If you answered yes to each, you may paint your doors black.

[Anonymous]

I agree that you see very few homes in DC decorated nicely compared to other cities. These people saying it would look awful probably haven't sen this look.

[Anonymous]

The houzz pictures are interesting. I loved the look on french doors or any of the doors with windows or some visual interest. It looked odd on the traditional 6 panel doors. And I really didn't like it on front doors.