Top 10 ways to upgrade an old door
The situation when interior doors become unusable and lose their appearance is not uncommon. Knowing a few basic techniques on how to update an old door, you will be able to save a lot and not be wasted ahead of time. Having learned how to independently restore the surface, it will be possible not only to give the apartment a fresh look, but also to translate interesting author's ideas into reality.
Preparatory stage
Before transforming an old door, you should first prepare the surface and remove the previous coating. If you remove the product from the hinges in advance, it will be more convenient to carry out repair work. Place the door on a flat surface using a table or trestle. Remove from the canvas fittings: handles, hinges, latches, locks. Replace parts with new ones if they become unusable. Remember to remove the glazing beads and glass before starting repairs.
It will be much easier to act by adhering to the following points:
- Heat the surface using a hot air gun to help remove old paint much faster. When the layer starts to soften, use a putty knife to remove the coating.
- To fill up scratches and defects will turn out thanks to putty and putty for wood.
- Use different grit sandpaper. Sand the surface and sand thoroughly.
- It will be possible to fully update old doors with your own hands if you distribute drying oil or wood stain on the surface. Such a measure will protect the canvas from moisture, and give the tree a beautiful shade.
- Insert the glass back into the door leaf, use new glazing beads.
If you paint the door or glue wallpaper on the canvas, then do not forget to prime it first. Choose a special primer or liquid diluted adhesive.
Self-adhesive film
When ideas on how to paste over the old door are at an impasse, choose the simplest and most inexpensive option in the form of a self-adhesive film. It will be possible to distribute geometric stickers on the canvas, even if you do not first remove it from the hinges. Choose a film with a bright hue to create contrast with the overall tone. If you choose the stickers to match the color of the door, it will look tasteless.
Before sticking the film with a pencil, mark up where the patterns will be located. After that, apply the sticker to the canvas and use a rag to get rid of the air under the film by wiping it thoroughly. A canvas on which you can draw inscriptions with chalk will look very stylish and impressive. The cost of such a film is not cheap, but this option will look very unusual.
Paint
In the process of updating the old door, as in the first case, it is important to use another inexpensive option - paint. Here you have to remove the door from its hinges in order to paint the door as accurately as possible. You can choose absolutely any color - it all depends on taste preferences and interior. Buy paint that is acrylic or water based as it does not have an unpleasant odor.It is better to refuse alkyd paint.
Experienced "artists" will be able to paint the door using dye in cylinders. It is better for beginners to refuse such an idea, since it will be difficult to apply the material in one tone, since the dye will be sprayed on different sides. If you chose the standard paint option, then go with matte paint, not glossy paint. In the second case, the dye will only emphasize all the defects and unevenness of the canvas.
Before updating the doors without changing them, take a roller so that the painting process is as comfortable as possible. The wide roller is suitable for flat and solid doors. It is best to paint the doors in 2-3 layers, applying paint with a fairly thin ball.
How to update an old door with wallpaper: several methods
It is not difficult to glue wallpaper on the door leaf, and at the same time all stages of work will not take much time. You can create a beautiful contrast if you choose a wallpaper with a color that will differ from the color of the walls. Having previously prepared the doors and primed them, it will turn out to glue the wallpaper according to the following scheme:
- Dilute the adhesive according to the instructions on the package.
- Spread the adhesive backing onto the canvas.
- Begin glueing the wallpaper carefully and remember to remove any bubbles. This will help a plastic or rubber spatula, which must be moved from the center to the edges.
- Use a metal strip and a wallpaper knife to trim the edges of the wallpaper.
- Wait until the wallpaper is completely dry to move on to the next decorating step if necessary.
Add additional decor on top of the wallpaper, if desired.
Molding
If, before you update the interior doors with your own hands (according to the photo with instructions), you purchase foam or polyurethane moldings, as well as sockets, then the decor will turn out to be quite unusual. This option will beautifully emphasize a room decorated in a classic style. Using rounded moldings and a bright background, it will turn out to decorate the room in the Provence style.
After you have had time to glue the wallpaper and it has already dried, use a pencil to mark up where the moldings will be. Using a tape measure, measure out how much material you need to complete the decor. Saw the edges of the molding at a 45 degree angle. Then take PVA or other glue, process the back surface of each element and glue along the markings. Wait for the glue to dry completely.
Wallpaper
You can give the room a completely new look if you stick photo wallpaper on the door. This finishing option will look very bright and will help transform the interior of any room. You can order wallpaper in any printing house. In this case, it will be possible to individually select the design and type of pattern. Before you update old wooden doors with your own hands in a similar way, you should adhere to the previously given instructions for gluing ordinary wallpaper.
Antique effect
In the process of updating the old door with paint and sandpaper, it will turn out to create the effect of antiquity. Before moving on to the decor, cover the canvas with dark paint in several layers. After that, on top of the previous layer, apply a light paint. When the dye is completely dry, take your sandpaper and start sanding off the top coat to let the dark paint show through.
Using the craquelure effect it will also be possible to visually "age" the doors. To do this, use varnish or paint, which, after hardening, will visually form cracks.
Decoupage
Decoupage of an old door will look very nice if you use ordinary napkins for decoration. Before starting work, paint the canvas white. Then take a three-layer napkin with a beautiful pattern and cut out the image with scissors. Peel off the color layer and gently attach it to the door.
Dilute PVA glue and water in the desired ratio and take a brush. Apply glue to the back of the design and attach it to the door.You can repeat this procedure several times until the entire application is completed. Finally, open the surface with acrylic varnish.
Glass inserts
Another good way to update an old door with your own hands (using the photo clearly) is to try to replace the glass. Install new glass in the door leaf or update the decor of the old one. The stained glass technique will look unusual.
Before painting the doors and creating an unusual stained glass window, prepare the following tools:
- stained glass paints;
- gloves;
- circuit;
- marker.
It is most convenient to paint glass in a horizontal position. Using a marker, draw out the outlines, and then paint in the middle on both sides. You can complete the whole picture if you glue small stones or pieces of glass. These details should also be outlined in black marker on top of the drawing.
Before you refine the old door with your own hands, take this recommendation into service. Cut small holes in the door leaf and insert small multi-colored glass in the middle. This method will allow you to create a beautiful glass composition. This option is suitable if the door leaf is made of solid wood.
Stencil decor
A simple and at the same time beautiful option is the design of the door according to a stencil pattern. You can prepare the stencil yourself, or you can buy it in a construction (stationery) store ready-made. Take heavy paper and cut out the pattern you like. You can also prepare the self-adhesive tape in the same way.
First, pre-process the door, then take the stencil and gently roll over the top with a paint roller. Spray paint is also suitable for decoration. Make sure that the template fits snugly to the surface of the door, as otherwise unnecessary smudges and spots will appear on the canvas.
Pre-paint the door white, and then use stencil patterns. Black and gold patterns will look very beautiful on a light background. When updating the interior doors with your own hands, also use a dark background and light stencil patterns on the contrary.
Art drawing
Art lovers can pay attention to such an unusual option for decorating doors. It is enough to first paint the doors in one tone, and then use additional paints and brushes for painting. The drawing can extend beyond the doorway by 10-20 cm and be a beautiful continuation of the composition.
If you don't have any special talent, but you want to restore the old door with your own hands, as you want in the photo, then take a pencil first. Draw a sketch with a pencil, and then start painting. Cover the floor and walls with a protective film beforehand to prevent splashing interior... In order to create a memorable design, give the children paint in their hands, where they can show their creativity on the canvas. Such art will give a sea of positive memories and emotions.
Textile
In the case when there are no ideas of what can be done with the old door, but you really want to design it unusually, the option with textiles is ideal. This is a very laborious process, but the door design will turn out to be truly homely and cozy. Before proceeding to the arrangement of the door leaf, first buy the fabric with the patterns you like. Avoid too light colors, as spots and defects will appear on such a surface very quickly.
Choose a material in the store that will blend in color as organically as possible with the rest of the decor. Use double-sided masking tape in order to glue the textiles as conveniently as possible. Spread the tape around the entire door. Make sure that there are no folds or shreds around the edges of the door.
Door lamination
It will be possible to update the appearance of the room if you apply the film on the door yourself at home. To do this, buy a self-adhesive adhesive tape from a hardware store. First, prepare the door leaf first and cover any scratches and irregularities. Remove old paint if necessary.
When gluing the film, do not forget that it connects to the surface very quickly, so you need to work very carefully to prevent bubbles and unevenness. Apply the film gradually by millimeter, use a plastic wallpaper spatula to prevent defects.
Having chosen one of the above options, it will not be difficult to update the door yourself at home. It is important not to forget about the rest of the interior of the apartment when decorating and pre-protect it with a film.