Choosing Interior Doors

When it's time to decorate - whether it's for a brand new home or redecorating the family manse, one thing that's often overlooked as a 'style choice' is the interior doors. After all, a bedroom door is a bedroom door, right?

And yet, the style of door that you choose can make a subtle, definitive difference throughout your home. I know that part of the reason that I'm drawn to old Victorian homes and triple-deckers is their beautiful hardwood doors in so many different styles. Most of today's new construction features bland, hollow-core interior doors with plain brass knobs - no character at all.

Picture your living and dining area divided by an elegant Victorian style double pocket sliding door. In places where a door that opens into or out of a room take up too much space, pocket interior doors are a lovely, elegant choice that recalls bygone years. Pocket doors slide into recessed 'pockets' fit into the wall on one or both sides of a doorway. They were often used in turn-of-the-century housing, and are a major selling point in many old homes. When choosing interior doors, why not look to the past for a choice that brings the understated elegance of the past to your home?

If you're choosing interior doors for a more contemporary scheme, you'll find them in cherry, poplar, oak, hickory or walnut, among other woods. Many home builders are opting to use materials other than wood, though, and glass or metal doors are also popular. The style of the door should complement the style of your decor, experts agree, and you'll find such a variety of styles that choosing interior doors for your home may be almost mind-boggling. The various standard styles include those with two to eight panels, raised or flat panels, and French door styles. Add to those cafe doors, bi-fold doors, bypass doors and pocket doors, and you'll have a wide variety of interior doors to choose from for your new home.

Here are a few tips from experts on choosing interior doors for your home:

You don't have to stick with just one type of door throughout your entire home. You can mix and match interior door styles or colors, just be sure to keep some elements the same. Use the same color, finish or basic styling to provide a consistency and flow.

Painted interior doors are popular as well as natural wood. Soft white works well with most decor, but black is becoming a popular choice because the deep color gives the doorway more 'presence' - a deeper and wider appearance.

When choosing interior doors, keep in mind the overall dimensions of the room in which they'll be installed. An enormous mullioned sliding glass door may be beautiful, but will it overwhelm a small sitting room?

The most important factor in choosing interior doors, though, is your preference. Shop around, find a look and a style that you like in a price range that suits your budget, and then go for it. See what a difference changing such a subtle design accent can make throughout your home.

Matthew Anthony contributes to home improvement sites such as doors and blinds.