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Upgrading Interior Doors: A DIY Guide

Lowe's Editorial Team

By Lowe's Editorial Team
Updated June 3, 2024

When it comes to making a grand entry to your favorite room, nothing works its magic like a striking door. Interior doors are the perfect lead up to any thoughtfully designed room. So here’s a DIY guide for doors to help transform your tired doors into stunning focal points for your home.

Choose a New Paint or Finish

Choose the appropriate interior door paint color for each room to complement the room’s aesthetic.

Assess Your Doors

The first step is to assess your existing doors. Are they currently painted in a color that looks outdated or are they stained? Or maybe they've simply sustained wear and tear over time. DIY for doors can work wonders for minor scratches, dings or chipped paint. However, if your interior doors are heavily damaged, consider consulting a professional.

Pick Your Paint

Once you've assessed your doors, it's time to get creative. Select a new door paint color or finish that complements your overall décor. Semi-gloss paint is a popular choice for its durability, ease of cleaning and subtle shine. This finish can elevate the look of any space. But don't hesitate to explore other finishes like satin or eggshell if you want to go for a low-sheen finish.

Prep the Surface

Now that you've selected your color, it's time to prep the surface of your doors. Start by giving the door a thorough cleaning with a damp cloth or mild cleaning solution. This removes any dust, grime or fingerprints that might interfere with paint adhesion. Next, lightly sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper. Don't forget to remove any sanding dust with a tack cloth before moving on to the next step.

Prime and Prepare

Next, choose a suitable primer for your paint. Applying a coat of primer before the paint gives a better finish to your topcoat. It also helps even out the surface, ensures better coverage with fewer coats and can even extend the life of your paint job.

Paint Your Door

Remember to choose a quality paintbrush or roller before you begin. Now apply two coats of your chosen shade, allowing for proper drying time between coats. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for drying times and recommended number of coats to ensure a flawless and long-lasting finish.

Caution

Follow all manufacturer's guidelines for the proper usage and safety precautions when handling paint and cleanup chemicals.

Update the Door Hardware

Door knobs, handles and hinges seem small but they have a big impact on the overall look, feel and functionality of doors. Upgrading your hardware is a relatively quick and easy way to change the look of your door.

Evaluating the Hardware

Before purchasing new door hardware, check up on your current fittings. Are the knobs or handles loose, rusty or out of style? How about the hinges — are they squeaky or worse for wear? If the answer to these questions is yes, you need a change.

Selecting a Style

When it comes to your new door hardware, here are some popular choices to keep in mind:

Modern

Think clean lines, sleek chrome finishes and minimalist knobs or handles.

Traditional

Opt for ornate knobs with finishes like brass or oil-rubbed bronze to give your DIY door a classic look.

Rustic

Hardware with a weathered or antique look makes for a perfect country finish.

Unique

If you’re not afraid to experiment, our collection has some unique knobs in geometric shapes or colorful finishes that you can choose.


Replacing Knobs and Handles

Replacing existing door knobs or handles is a straightforward process. Here's a general guide, but always follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific hardware:

Gather the Tools

You'll likely need a screwdriver, a hex key and possibly a drill/driver depending on the hardware.

Remove the Old

Unscrew the mounting screws holding the knob or handle in place. Remove the knob or handle, latch faceplate and strike plate. Check for a backing plate and remove that as well.

Install the New

Line up the new knob or handle mechanism and backing plate (if equipped) with the borehole and the latch with the edge bore. Install the faceplate and strike plate. Secure the knobs or levers to the mechanism.

Follow this guide for detailed instructions on how to install a lockset.

Tip
Stuck with tight screws? Some lubricant might loosen them up.

Hinge Upgrade

While not essential, replacing your existing hinges can add a touch of style and improve the functionality of your DIY doors. Some things to consider:

Finish

Match the finish to your new knobs or handles.

Material

Steel hinges are common, but decorative options in brass are available.

Function

Ball bearing hinges offer smoother operation and less noise.

Good to Know

Installing new hinges usually requires removing the door from the frame. Consider hiring a professional if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself.

Final Checks and Adjustments

Once you’ve replaced your knobs, handles and hinges (if applicable), take a step back and check your work.

Adding or Replacing Trim and Moulding:

Doors are like windows — they offer a glimpse into a different space and the right trim and moulding can beautifully frame that view and elevate the overall design. Adding or replacing trim and moulding around your DIY doors project can add character to your home, whether you’re looking for a subtle refresh or a dramatic transformation.

Molding Selection

Choose your new trim and door molding for your DIY interior door update. Here are some things to consider:

Style

Decide if you want to opt for a classic look with simple profiles or something more ornate and decorative.

Material

Moulding typically comes in wood, MDF (medium-density fiberboard) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Wood offers a timeless look, while MDF and PVC are more affordable and moisture resistant.

Size

The size of the molding should complement the overall scale of your doors and room. Choose a wider molding if you want to make a statement or narrower profiles for a subtle look.

Remove Existing Trim

If your doors already have trim and molding but you want a change, you’ll need to remove the existing pieces before installing new ones. Here’s a quick rundown on how to do this.

Safety First

If you’re working near electrical switches or outlets, remember to turn off the power to the circuit. Check with a non-contact circuit tester to ensure the power is off. 

Gently Does It

Next, use a putty knife or a pry bar to carefully and thoroughly loosen the trim from the wall and door frame.

Removal

Once the trim is loose, remove any nails holding it in place with a nail puller.

Caution

Be aware that there may be electrical wires or plumbing hidden behind the trim. If you're unsure about the location of these elements, it's best to consult a professional.

Measure and Cut

Now it's time to take some precise measurements for your new moulding. Here's a general guide, but remember to double-check your measurements before cutting:

Butt Joints

  1. Measure the width of the door frame from one inside edge to the other. Add the width of both side moulding pieces. This will be the length of the top piece of moulding.
  2. Cut the top piece of moulding to the width you measured, ensuring the ends are squared.
  3. Measure the height from the floor to the bottom edge of the top moulding (not including the width of the top piece).
  4. Cut the two side moulding pieces to the height measurement with square cuts. Since the top ends are squared, they should fit comfortably against the straight bottom edge of the top moulding.

Miter Joints

  1. To determine the length of the top molding, start by measuring the door frame width.
  2. Add the width of the two side pieces to allow for the mitered cuts at each end.
  3. Cut the moulding for the top piece. Cut the ends at 45-degree angles to match up with the side pieces.
  4. To calculate the length of each side piece, measure the height of the door frame and add the width of the top piece.
  5. Cut the side pieces, trimming the top end of each to a 45-degree angle to fit the mitered cuts on the top moulding.

Tip

Always cut your molding pieces a little long and then trim them down for a perfect fit.

Secure and Finish

Now that you have your molding pieces, it's time to install them. Here's a basic overview:

  1. Apply a bead of construction adhesive to the back of the molding pieces.
  2. Carefully position the molding around the door frame, starting with the top piece and then the side pieces.
  3. Use nails to secure the molding in place. Make sure to countersink the nails and fill the holes with putty for a smooth finish.
  4. Once the molding is secure, apply caulk along the seams where the molding meets the wall and door frame. For a clean finish, apply paint along the seams as well.

Tip

Use painter's tape to protect your walls and door from any accidental dings or scratches while you're working.

Paint or Stain

As the final step, paint or stain your new molding to match your existing trim or create a contrasting accent. This will complete the look.

Finishing Your Door Upgrade

Upgrading your interior doors is a fun and easy way to refresh your space. With a little DIY door magic, you can breathe new life into your home without hurting your pocket.