How to Refresh Old, Worn Interior Doors – 12 Inspiring Ideas

Before repainting, it’s best to remove the doors and lay them flat. Take off the lock hardware. Make sure the doors are completely clean and dry, then gently sand the surface with fine sandpaper. You don’t need to strip the paint—just remove the shiny top layer to create a surface the paint will stick to. If there are glass inserts, mask them off to keep paint off the glass. Next, dust off the door VERY thoroughly, then apply a coat of paint with a brush or roller. Once dry, lightly sand again before applying the next coat. After the final coat dries, you can rehang the door. Older doors with many layers of paint can sometimes feel like armor. In those cases, removing the old paint might be worth the effort, but be ready for a bigger project. Paint removers dissolve old layers but should always be used with open windows or, better yet, outdoors. If you can get one, a heat gun is a great chemical-free tool for paint removal: direct hot air only until the paint starts to bubble, or you risk scorching the wood. Once bubbled, you can scrape off the paint with a spatula, always working with the grain. Flat surfaces go quickly, but the grooves and corners of paneled doors require patience. Choose paint that suits your needs: stains highlight the wood’s natural patterns, while oil-based paints are more forgiving of imperfections.

If the wood is beautiful, you can keep its natural color with a stain or varnish, but that’s rare. Most doors were made expecting to be painted, so they often aren’t crafted from the finest wood. Classic white is always a safe bet, making your space feel bright and airy—but don’t hesitate to get creative!

A soft pastel shade can create a lovely backdrop for your furniture and add a fresh vibe to your home.

Pick a color that contrasts with your walls or one that helps the door blend seamlessly into the room.

Geometric shapes add a unique touch that can run across walls and doors alike.

Make your door pop against white walls with a bold color—paint the door itself or just the surrounding wall and part of the door for a fresh look.

Mosaic-like patterns are super trendy and easy to create with masking tape. Add a special touch with metallic gold paint for an even more stunning finish.

For kids’ room doors, you can get really creative and bring some unique ideas to life.