The Best Way to Paint Interior Doors

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Don't overlook interior doors when personalizing a room. Not only can you freshen up dingy doors with a new coat of paint, you can also paint them in a fun color or pattern for a little something extra.

Image Credit: Painted Interior Doors

Things You'll Need

  • Drop cloth

  • Rubber gloves

  • Rag or old T-shirt

  • Liquid deglosser

  • Screwdriver

  • Painter's tape

  • Level

  • Pencil

  • Paintbrush and/or roller

  • Interior latex paint

  • Hooks (optional)

Image Credit: Painted Interior Doors

Step 1: Clean the Door

Lay the drop cloth under the door to catch any drips and put on your rubber gloves. Saturate a section of an old rag or T-shirt with the liquid deglosser. Rub the deglosser into the door until you've cleaned the entire door. This will remove all dirt and dust so that the paint will adhere better. Allow the door to dry before painting.

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Image Credit: Painted Interior Doors
Image Credit: Painted Interior Doors

Step 2: Remove the Door Knob

Unscrew the door knob with a screwdriver and place it to the side.

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Step 3: Tape Around the Hinges and Edges

Apply painter's tape around the hinges, the edge of the door and anywhere you will not be painting.

Image Credit: Painted Interior Doors

Step 4: Measure and Tape Off Your Pattern

This color-block pattern is an easy way to create a bold look in any room. Using a level, mark where your tape will go. Place the tape just slightly above your pencil mark.

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Image Credit: Painted Interior Doors
Image Credit: Painted Interior Doors

Step 5: Paint the Panels and Edges

With a paintbrush made for interior latex paints, start painting the raised panels first. Next, apply the paint onto the edges of the door and over the edge of the painter's tape.

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Image Credit: Painted Interior Doors
Image Credit: Painted Interior Doors

Step 6: Fill in the Rest

Use your paintbrush or a 4-inch paint roller to fill in the rest of the door between the panels and the edges.

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Image Credit: Painted Interior Doors

Step 7: Remove the Tape and Attach the Door Knob

Remove the painter's tape before your paint is completely dry for a crisp edge. Once the door is fully dry reattach the door knob.

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Image Credit: Painted Interior Doors

Step 8: Finish It Off

Hooks can be added to the back of your finished door for extra storage space.

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Image Credit: Painted Interior Doors

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