Open door policy

DIY projects from Your Home and Garden

Lavish some time and attention on a tired door and marvel at the difference.

How to give a makeover to an interior door

Walls painted in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Half Thorndon Cream and Resene Dusky Pink from the Karen Walker Paints collection on the bedroom walls and door in Resene Lustacryl in Resene Triple Thorndon Cream. If you’d like your new door detail to be even more of a feature, paint it in higher gloss Resene Enamacryl.

One quick way to update a house’s interior is to give a dated door that has seen better days a makeover and drag it into this decade. It’s not a challenging project and the results are well worth it. My timber veneer door was finished with clear polyurethane but this project is even easier on pre-painted or bare timber doors. Ask the friendly staff at your local Resene ColorShop about your exact situation.

You will need

Sandpaper. I used 200 grit
Resene EzyFill Quick
40 x 10mm pine clears wood
Quick dry glue
Measuring tape
Saw, drop saw or hand saw with mitre box
Nails, if desired
Primer for timber. I used Resene Quick Dry
Brushes and rollers
Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel in Resene Triple Thorndon Cream for doors and trims
Sealer. I used Resene Waterborne Sureseal sealer
New hardware.

Instructions

Before upcycling Before
A photo of the dated door before the upcycling project.

Materials used
The materials and products used in this upcycling project.

Step 1 - Prepare your door for painting Step one
Prepare your door for painting. Remove the old hardware and ensure it is clean and free of grease. Even if you are not replacing the door hardware, it is easier to paint the door with it removed and it will give you a better finish.

Step 2 - Lightly sand the door with a sander or sandpaper Step two
Lightly sand the door with a sander or sandpaper. I paid particular attention to the edges and other areas that are likely to get knocked and hit with things. Fill any dings and holes with Resene EzyFill Quick, allow to dry and sand these areas flat. Give the door another clean to make sure it is completely free of dust.

Step 3 - apply the sealer Step three
Next, apply the sealer, which will help the topcoats stick. I used one coat of Resene Waterborne Sureseal. Allow sealer to dry completely.

Step 4 - Add trims Step four
Add trims to make the door look more customised. I went for a panelled rectangle, measuring to make sure it was sitting in the centre and was not going to get in the way of the door hardware. I cut 45-degree mitres on the timber using a dropsaw, but you could also do this with a handsaw and mitre box.

Step 5 - Prime the timber Step five
Prime the timber with Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer.

Step 6 - Attach the panels Step six
Attach the panels using some quick dry glue. At this point you can use some pin nails to hold it in place until the glue dries. Alternatively, you can use painter’s tape to hold it in place until the glue dries. You may want to run gap fill around all the edges of your trims. My doors were nice and flat so this step wasn’t required.

Step 7 - apply topcoats Step seven
You are now ready to start your topcoats. I used Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel in Resene Triple Thorndon Cream. I applied it with a brush and a number 4 roller. Allow to dry completely, then apply a second coat.

Step 8 - attach the new hardware Step eight
Attach the new hardware. I went for a brass handle.

Upcycled door - finished project Finished project
The finished upcycled door.

Colours mentioned in this article

Colours marked as "buy in-store" may not yet be available in our online ColorShop, however, the testpots can be purchased at your local Resene ColorShop or reseller.