Should This Door Be Painted?
A reader sent me this photo of her son’s starter house. The view is from the kitchen looking into the living room, with the front door centered in the room.
Should this door be painted?
One side says no, it’s wood and wood should never be painted. The other side says, it’s ugly wood and ugly wood should always be painted. What do you say?
One thing to keep in mind is that the living room is small. Of course, I have an opinion, but I’m more interested in hearing yours. Wood seems to be an issue laden with strong opinion. What’s yours?
16 Responses to “Should This Door Be Painted?”
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Posted by Julie on March 2nd, 2009 at 6:07 pm
I think what this door really needs is new, wider trim, say about 3.5″ wide (you could use 1×4 pine, making sure to prime it with BIN so the sap doesn’t bleed through later).
Although I’m not 100% against painting wood, I do think the decision should be carefully considered. In this case, I’d go for it, because it’s just a generic hollow core door (nothing wrong with that, just that they are not an endangered species), and if you change the trim, you’d probably want it to match the door.
Even if you don’t change the trim, I’d still paint it all. :-)
Have fun,
Julie
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Posted by Joe Posch on March 2nd, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Paint that shit. Twice.
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Posted by Jennifer on March 2nd, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Okay, we have a few votes in. I say it needs to be painted. I like the trim idea, but it would probably be simpler just to buy a new door that’s already white.
My reasoning? The room is small and having a dark rectangle along the long wall really chops up the room – making it look even smaller.
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Posted by Leah on March 2nd, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Good God, yes — paint that door!
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Posted by Minnie on March 3rd, 2009 at 1:08 am
Definitely needs to be painted… it’s quite an eyesore and if the living room is small, then it’s definitely too dark a color for the size of the room. Either paint it white, or have it re-polished in a lighter grain.
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Posted by bronxelf on March 3rd, 2009 at 4:10 am
I vote neither. I vote do something entirely different, using stains and resists.
However if that’s off the table? Paint it. And put some wider trim around it- it’s way out of proportion as it is, no matter what you do to it.
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Posted by Ann Porter on March 3rd, 2009 at 6:43 am
That door needs help. Add molding to the face of the door would also help but I agree that a new door is porbably the best solution.
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Posted by Elisa on March 3rd, 2009 at 7:29 am
My vote is paint it, if it loks a bit ugly then it’s not a bad thing.
It def needs some wider molding around the door and don’t forget about the hardware!
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Posted by shahida on March 3rd, 2009 at 7:53 am
PLEASE!!!!!!It “wood” make me crazy. Does the door has to stay….is there a replacement option?
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Posted by Megan on March 3rd, 2009 at 9:19 am
DEFINITELY paint! I agree with the other commenter that wider trim would help too.
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Posted by Lisa M. on March 3rd, 2009 at 10:33 am
I vote for painting it …… have it blend in with the rest of the area. I do question changing it – as it’s the front door, what is on the other side?? If you paint, it would be easier to also do the outer side then. Do we get to see the final picture of this project ???
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Posted by misterarthur on March 3rd, 2009 at 10:51 am
Oh, lord is this even a question? ?It’s not like you’re painting over burled walnut or Brazilian Rosewood.
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Posted by misterarthur on March 3rd, 2009 at 10:55 am
I’d put a cover on that switch plate, too. (And paint it).
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Posted by Lisa M on March 3rd, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Well Misterarthur ……….. while you’re at it, how about cleaning up the counter too ?? :O)
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Posted by Mandy on March 3rd, 2009 at 4:37 pm
HELLS YES!
YES…I think this door should be painted. I do understand why it is hard to paint wood, but in this situation, where the wood isn’t so much a feature but a distraction…I would paint it the same color or lighter than the wall. Blend it in it isn’t the main feature. Well that’s what I think anyways ;)