Types of Doors for Your Home

How to Pick the Perfect Types of Doors for Your Interiors

Knock, knock.

Who’s there?

Your next beautiful interior design!!

Jokes aside, doors in your home are NOT just functional…they’re a fundamental part of your aesthetic. They set the tone for each room, enhance privacy, and help to manage sound and temperature. They send a message about the neighboring room, too. Is it off limits? Or is it part of the same flow?

The right types of doors can elevate your home’s style and better define your floorplan. But with so many options, how do you choose the right one?!

Take a moment to explore the main types of doors, and you’ll learn what to weigh when making your next door selection…

Types of Doors: The Basics

Be honest…how many of these could you have identified or defined before seeing this list of door types?!

Also realize that many kinds of doors are more than one type at once. You’ll soon see why…

Panel Doors

These are one of the most common and versatile types of doors you’ll find in homes.

Panel doors simply consist of a frame with panels—usually made of wood, MDF, or plywood—that can be raised, recessed, or flat. These are a classic, and can reliably fit into almost any design style, from traditional to contemporary.

Glass Doors

Glass doors are perfect for spaces that crave light. They can be full glass or feature glass panels within a wooden or metal frame.

Whether you go for frosted, clear, or decorative glass, these doors are fantastic for creating a sense of openness while maintaining separation between spaces…

Dutch Doors

Dutch doors are split horizontally, allowing you to open the top half while keeping the bottom half closed. These are a charming and functional door design, perfect for kitchens or back doors where you want to keep pets (or kids) inside while letting in fresh air.

This door style is considered a little quaint or antiquated, so they have to be used in the right kind of space!! And they’re designed to be outdoor-facing doors.

Flush Doors

Sleek and modern, flush doors have a smooth, flat surface with no panels or molding. They’re often used in contemporary or minimalist interiors where a clean, unobtrusive look is desired…

Louver Doors

These doors feature horizontal slats, allowing for ventilation while still providing privacy. They’re often used for closets, laundry rooms, or areas where airflow is needed, while still allowing for privacy.

French Doors

French doors are a set of two doors that usually have glass panes extending across most of their length. They swing open from the center, creating a wide entryway.

These doors are perfect for connecting indoor and outdoor spaces, and for rooms where you want to maximize light and openness. They’re especially elegant, and can work in just about every imaginable design style…

Sliding Doors

Ideal for spaces where a swinging door isn’t practical, sliding doors glide along a track to open and close. They’re often used for closets, bathrooms, or to access patios, and can be made of wood, glass, or metal.

Pocket Doors

Pocket doors slide into a compartment in the adjacent wall, disappearing completely when open. They’re a great space-saving solution, especially in small rooms or areas where you want to keep the door out of sight.

Barn Doors

Barn doors have a rustic charm and are typically used for modern and farmhouse-style homes. They slide along a track mounted above the doorway and can act as a statement piece in a room.

The design options with barn doors are a little limited, because they essentially “belong” to a defined style. But if it’s a look you love, it will bring you greater return on enjoyment than other options.

Solid Wood Doors

Solid wood doors can be one of many of the types of doors above: the only defining quality is that they’re made of solid wood.

This means that solid wood doors sit at the intersection of quality and luxury. They’re heavy, durable, and offer superb sound insulation.

Trends in Doors

Now that you’ve got a sense of the different types of doors, let’s talk about what’s trending in door design…

Homeowners today are moving away from the standard 6-panel colonial doors that dominated homes for decades. Now, we’re seeing a shift towards more personalized choices that reflect individual households’ unique style.

For example…

• In the “Grandmillennial” design style (a blend of traditional and modern elements with a touch of nostalgia), you’ll see more vintage door types. Think French doors with intricate glasswork or panel doors with detailed moldings.
• For indoor-outdoor living, homeowners continue to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces with glass doors, particularly large sliding or French doors. These not only allow natural light to flood the interior but also create a seamless transition to the outdoor living areas.
• In the maximalism design style (which is all about bold statements and expressive design), this translates to vibrant colors, dramatic finishes, and unique materials. Barn doors with bold patterns, metal inlays in panel doors, or oversized handles are all on-trend!! The key here is to make the door a focal point, not just a functional piece.
• In minimalist and contemporary designs, flush doors with hidden handles, sliding pocket doors that disappear into walls, and doors with sleek, clean lines are favored for their ability to create an uncluttered look.
• Opting now for more mixed materials, like wood and metal or glass and metal, has changed door designs in an increasing way. These combinations add texture and interest without overwhelming the space. For instance, a door with a metal frame and wooden panels, or one with glass panes framed in dark steel, can offer a perfect balance between modern and industrial aesthetics.
• Sustainability is on everyone’s mind, too, as seen in new door materials like reclaimed wood, bamboo, and other eco-friendly materials.
• Customized hardware shows that the door handle is MUCH more than a functional component…it’s a design element! The same is true today for your cabinet hardware.

Which of these trends jump out the most at you? Join our private design group to share…

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right doors for your home is as crucial as selecting the perfect furniture or wall color.

It’s about creating harmony in both feel in function.

Feeling overwhelmed by the choices? With so many options available, it’s easy to get lost in the possibilities. But remember, you don’t have to make these decisions alone…reach out for a consultation, and we’ll find the perfect doors that will make your home truly shine!!