Ideas for your door makeover
In Painting - How-To · 5 min reading time
New doors are expensive - especially in old buildings where the doors were often handmade. Old doors are often of such high quality that it would be a shame to simply dispose of them. We have therefore put together some ideas for upcycling your doors. This will save you money and give you individual, unique pieces that perfectly match your style.
1. Design a panel door: Making doors writable
Doors designed with blackboard paint can be written on and painted on again and again with chalk. The chalk can simply be wiped off with a damp cloth or sponge. So if you need space for notes in the kitchen, you can create a blackboard door. A chalkboard door is also ideal for the children's room: Painting fun guaranteed!
What you need to paint a panel door:
- To Bond & Block primer
- Your desired colour in the Eggshell Varnish quality
- MissPompadour blackboard paint
Step-by-step instructions:
1. Natural wood doors should be primed with To Bond & Block before painting to prevent tanning agents from bleeding and to create an even surface. Plastic veneer also requires a primer so that the paint can adhere well. If you are painting over old but not flaking varnish, this step is not necessary.
2. varnish the door in the colour of your choice and leave it to dry for approx. 4 hours. We have chosen MissPompadour Black with Slate in the Eggshell Varnish quality.
3. Mix a small amount of the colour thoroughly with the blackboard paint and paint the door. Leave it to dry for about 6 hours or overnight.
4. Repeat the process and paint a second coat of blackboard paint. Mix in some colour again. If you intend to rewrite the blackboard door often, we recommend 3 coats.
5. Leave your coat to harden for 14 days so that all layers of paint can dry thoroughly. Then nothing stands in the way of writing and colouring fun!
2. Build panelled doors yourself: Fitting decorative frames
Covering a door with decorative frames is an easy way to give a room more character and make a door look more upmarket.
What you need for this door upcycling:
- To Bond & Block primer
- Your desired colour in the Eggshell Varnish quality
- Self-adhesive stucco panelling
- filler To Fill & Sanding Pad
Step-by-step instructions:
1. Measuring: How big should the stucco frames be? We have decided on 2 frames measuring 45 cm wide x 60 cm high. We therefore need approx. 230 cm of stucco tape for one side of the door (including offcuts)
2. Natural wood doors should be primed with To Bond & Block before painting to prevent tanning agents from bleeding and to create an even surface. Plastic veneer also requires a primer so that the paint can adhere well. If you are painting over old but not flaking varnish, this step is not necessary.
3. Varnish the door in the colour of your choice and leave it to dry for approx. 4 hours. We have opted for MissPompadour White with Character in Eggshell Varnish.
4. Cut the stucco strip to the right size and at the right angle using a mitre box and fretsaw. Mark on the door where you want to attach the stucco decorations. Make sure that they are positioned in the centre.
5. Glue the stucco strips carefully along the markings on the door and fill any small gaps at the edges of the frame with filler if necessary.
6. Sand off any excess filler and paint the frames. We decided to paint them tone-on-tone with White with Character.
7. Leave your new door to dry for about 14 days
As you can see, there are many ways to turn old doors into new highlights. Have the courage!