How to Design Interior Doors
A home's interior floor plan works more smoothly when interior doors are well planned. The width and placement of the doors in every room and hallway are important for good traffic flow. In addition, the direction that each door will open is always a key concern. Interior doors should be well constructed and have designs that harmonize with each other throughout the house. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Home design books
- Decorator magazines
- Sketch pad
- Interior doors
- Door jamb kits
- Threshold kits
- Door knobs
- Door handles
Instructions
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Match the interior doors of your home with woodwork and baseboard. Use beige doors if your crown molding and wood trim is beige, for example. Buy doors in vinyl-over-wood in a particular color, so you can match woodwork to the doors if you want to avoid painting.
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Select doors that have recessed panels or smooth fronts, according to the architectural features of your home. Review rooms in design books, magazines or online to see which doors work best with your décor. Avoid buying doors with carvings or panels that stand out too much, if your home is small. Keep door design on the conservative side, if you are in doubt.
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Buy all doors exactly alike that will open along a hallway leading to bedrooms. Choose a hallway closet door, bathroom door and all bedroom doors in the same design. Space the doors to allow at least 18 inches between frames, if possible. Review how each door will open to avoid clashing. Install bedroom doors to open inward in most cases.
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Review the latest door knobs or handles. Buy knobs with lock systems if you will need to lock a hall closet, for instance. Buy bedroom door knobs with latches or locks appropriate for children or teenagers. Install interior doors leading the front porch or garage areas with deadbolt locking systems.
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Buy door jamb kits and framing for all interior doors that match in terms of width, materials and quality. Don't buy skimpy framing materials for costly doors, or you will devalue the look. Invest in quality framing surrounding each interior door. Buy framing to complement crown molding and baseboard materials in all rooms and hallways. Invest in high-quality threshold kits as well.
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Tips & Warnings
Trim interior doors to fit their openings with ease. Take time to ensure easy closure of each door, since jamming of the door can injure the framing or threshold materials. Never trim several doors in a hallway the same size before installation. Every door will require a unique fit.
Install two or three smoke detectors outside bedroom doors on a long hallway. Don't rely on just a single detector. Never install deadbolt locks for children's rooms in case of fire.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit corridor image by bright from Fotolia.com
