I have a home full of boring dark wood interior slab doors. I'm wanting to up date the look of them without replacing them. The first thought is to just paint them, but then I will have boring painted slab doors. I have an idea but am looking for opinions and input. The basic idea is to use molding to create a pattern on the door much like a standard 6 pannel door. Another option is use trim to frame in some frosted plexy glass to give it a french door look. And a final variation to that last one would be to paint behind the frosted plexy glass with a white or bluish glow in the dark paint to make it look like light is glowing through the plexy glass even though the door is still solid.

Two suggestions.

One look on Craigslist.org I've seen the panel doors on there for free and really cheap.

Second is to use molding, if I were going to use molding though I'd make two panel doors as opposed to 6 panel doors, there are two variations in how you can do it.

Raised small molding: Like this

Second option wider molding. These doors are antique you could do them just like this or put another piece of molding just below the center going across to make it into a two panel: Here

If you live in MA send me a PM I'm replacing my 6 panel doors in the near future and will give them to you!

I like the idea of using the moulding to make panels! I'm trying to envision the plexi-glass, too - that just sounds really clever to me!

Something you might want to try: check to see if there is a habitat for humanity store in your area. When we lived in Jacksonville, Florida, we went there (first I had heard of it) and saw interior doors with panels for $15-$20 each.

QUOTE: One look on Craigslist.org I've seen the panel doors on there for free and really cheap.

Reply: Oh yes, I love craigslist and used it all the time when I lived in San Diego. However, I now live in UCLA (The Ugly Corner of Lower Alabama) and using that "crazy new invention" called the internet is pretty forigen idea around here. They just added a town 30 miles away to craigslist and there are VERY few postings on it.

Quote: Second is to use molding, if I were going to use molding though I'd make two panel doors as opposed to 6 panel doors, there are two variations in how you can do it.

Raised small molding: Like this

Second option wider molding. These doors are antique you could do them just like this or put another piece of molding just below the center going across to make it into a two panel: Here

Reply: Thanks for the links, I've been looking for pictures to give me some ideas.

Greg

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Gregmacdonald77,

I have the same problem: ugly brown doors (and baseboards to match!) that are scratched. Was thinking of sanding and painting off-white and adding moulding. Buying the doors is not so much a problem as installing them. I can wait until I find doors at Habitat ReStore or on sale at Lowes or Home Depot but I don't have the expertise to install them. Installing a door cost more than the door itself!

If you buy just the door slab (not the door with the jamb) it's easy to install there's nothing to it except screwing the hinges on.

Another idea might be to pad them and cover them with fabric. I saw beautiful linen covered doors (covered just on the surface not the sides) with gimp around the edges then nailheads on top of the gimp. They were so elegant and certainly cost less than new doors.
Just be care ful you don't go wild with fabric. Solid, restrained colors are nicer.

It's the door frame that cost so much.. the doors themselves are around $30 ... because we have several pocket doors and I did the barn door .. slabs had to be puchased.. I did the 2 panel .. but 6 is a little cheaper...

The french doors that I have in the dinng were $40 each then they were sandblasted...

I like using the molding but for the cost and time involved cutting it.. you can put a new door in... ( I can show you my pile of mis measured moldings...)

Beckt
http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/bb49/becky42_bucket

I have the same dilemma. I live in a 50's ranch and can't decide what to do with the doors. I agree that a white slab is no more attractive than a brown slab, unless you have a modern look going on.

In my own home, I have a mix of furniture styles, but I think it's fairly traditional. The house itself, though, would not benefit from a traditional door style. When the time comes, I think I will probably replace my interior doors with a shaker style.

Thanks, beantown. I know for a replacement of the same type of door it's a matter of screwing the hinges on, but I have a fear of messing up when I have to cut out the recessed area for the hinge to fit flush on the door. Also, I have two closets that have sliding doors and I'd rather have "regular" doors -- 2 on each closet that meet in the middle. Any idea where I could get instructions on doing that? I'd have to either pay someone, or do it by myself (no help).

Visit with you mill works people.. they will do the cuts for a small additional charge ( like $5 a door) you'd have to twll them about your hinge set up ...

Doors are a b1tch. Interior/exterior, doesn't matter, they're a pain to replace. If you can figure out how to rehab, rework the doors you have, I think you'll be miles ahead. Low profile moulding to create the illusion of panels sounds like an interesting idea.

Maybe obtain a door to practice on and see how it looks.

We once replaced the doors in a rental. What a difference it made !! The white, raised panel doors made it look like a new house !! I would try to possibly wait until you can afford to replace them rather than spend the time and money on what may be a so-so fix. JMO

I think there are stencils to make the flat doors look like panel ones. Tromp whatever that means "fool the eye". Just a thought.

Ran across this on Rate my Space.

Right up your alley.

http://ratemyspace.hgtv.com/SNC/ViewItem.aspx?pguid=6db...c3-90b0-8b639668b62b