Old doors are like new!

Doors play an important role in interior design. There are many different models in stores, but high-quality ones cost a lot of money, and you usually don't want to look at cheap ones. There is a good option - to update the old doors with your own hands. There are many techniques, and not the most difficult ones, that allow you to fix the situation for little money.

Preparation

Whichever way you choose to update the old interior door, you will need to carry out a number of preparatory work. Usually old painted specimens are going to decorate. Painting is usually amateur, so there are more than enough irregularities, sagging and other small defects. All of them must be aligned.

We remove the door leaf from the hinges, lay it on a flat surface. You can - on the trestle or table. We take wood putty (even if they are fromChipboard or plywood) and cover all holes, chips and depressions with it. After drying, proceed to the next step - sanding.

We buy wood putty

We buy wood putty

We take sandpaper with a coarse grain and a fine one. We process, achieving a flat surface. If you work by hand, it takes a lot of time and effort. With a hand sander, work moves faster. If further painting is planned, we try to achieve the most even surface. If you plan to decorate with wallpaper, fabric, self-adhesive film, you may not bring it to the ideal, but it should be exactly.

Hand sanding takes a long time

Hand sanding takes a long time

Next, remove the dust, wash off the remnants with water and diluted dishwashing detergent. We dry it. Further actions depend on the selected update method. If you are going to glue any kind of fabric or wallpaper, you can prime the surface (with liquid diluted glue or a special primer). After the primer has dried, you can glue the chosen type of decor or apply paint. By the way, if you are going to paint the doors, the paint must be of the same type, which was before, otherwise you will have to remove everything to a clean base, and this is very difficult.

Refresh old doors with wallpaper

The easiest and most affordable way to make old doors attractive is to use wallpaper. They do not necessarily have to be in tune with the walls, although this option is not excluded. First, we prepare the canvas as described above, and then you can start finishing.

The procedure for wallpapering doors is as follows:

  • dilute wallpaper glue according to the instructions on the pack;
  • we apply to the door leaf;
  • glue the wallpaper, carefully monitoring the removal of bubbles (with a rubber roller or plastic spatula);
  • trim the edges with a wallpaper knife and a flat metal strip (it is fashionable to use a large spatula);
  • wait for the wallpaper to dry.

    Wallpapering old doors is a good way to get new ones out of old

    Wallpapering old doors is a good way to get new ones out of old

Then you can continue decorating over the wallpaper or leave it as it is. Some options for how you can update old doors with different types of wallpaper are described below.

Wallpaper

Modern photo printing allows you to transfer volumetric images to paper. It will turn out very nicely. And you can print any image of your choice. In general, any. Usually advertising agencies are engaged in photo printing, sometimes printing houses. Go there, explaining what you need (have a flash drive with the selected pattern and the exact dimensions of the canvas on which you want to print the image). Having received the required image, we glue it on the door according to the method. described above.

Only three options for a door with photo wallpaper

Only three options for a door with photo wallpaper

Wallpaper with moldings

If you stick foam or polyurethane moldings, sockets on plain wallpaper, the style will completely change. Doors of this type are suitable for classic interiors or rooms; when using a colorful background and another form of moldings (with rounds), they can be decorated in the Provence style.

The work is no different from the sequence described above. We take the prepared doors with a leveled surface, spread with glue, glue the wallpaper.

Updating old doors with wallpaper

Updating old doors with wallpaper

Leveling the panels with a rubber roller is easy to achieve good results, but a certain amount of small air bubbles remains. To remove them, they take a special plastic spatula (they are in any hardware store), and air is finally removed from the center to the edges. This spatula is also used to iron the wallpaper joint, if any. It is quite possible to achieve that the joint will not be visible.

We drive out the remaining air, after drying we glue decorative elements on the door

We drive out the remaining air, after drying we glue decorative elements on the door

Cut the edges of the wallpaper with a wallpaper knife. This must be done until the wallpaper has softened from the glue, otherwise they can then "reach" for the blade and break. We leave to dry. After 12 hours or in a day - depending on the temperature and humidity in the room - you can continue decorating the old door.

Gently, with a simple pencil, we apply the markup. When everything is drawn, measure the required length of the pieces of molding with a tape measure. Cut off, saw the edges at an angle of 45 °. We take a suitable glue (PVA can be used) and carefully smear the back surface of the cut elements, glue them according to the markings, and leave to dry.

Stylish new doors from old

Stylish new doors from old

By the same principle, you can update old doors so that the style will be different. Several examples in the photo gallery.

Designer decoration of old doors

If you are interested in design things, you can try turning it into an art object. The good news is that there is no need to cook it: the bumps and bumps will disappear under the design.

These are what doors were and what they can be made

These are what doors were and what they can be made

The decorating process begins with the manufacture of papier-mâché. Take the egg trays, spray with water, knead with your fist, trying to level the surface. In the process, they will tear, this is normal and even good - we need small pieces. These almost flat fragments, on liquid nails or using a glue gun, are glued to the surface in random order.

How to create decorative elements for the door

How to create decorative elements for the door

Then we glue any rubbish with an interesting structure, unusual or ordinary shape. In our case, there was an old knitted string bag. It was cut into small pieces and also glued.

We glue decor on old doors

We glue decor on old doors

Lids, rings, a small perfume bottle, a small non-working computer mouse, the remains of a mosaic, everything that comes to hand are used. There will be a lot of trash, you can collect it ahead of time.

The process of decorating an old door in full swing

The process of decorating an old door in full swing

When most of the surface is "decorated", we take acrylic silver paint in cans (2 pieces are needed) and paint over the decor well. When choosing a paint, it is better to take an expensive one, in particular a German one, so that it does not pour out afterwards.

Forging effect, an interesting option

Forging effect, an interesting option

Decorating doors using decoupage technique

A romantic or "fun" door design can be done using decoupage. For work you will need:

  • napkins with a suitable pattern;
  • PVA glue (about 200 ml);
  • natural bristle brush;
  • acrylic lacquer.

Preparing the canvas, as described earlier. We prime and paint in a suitable color. After the paint has dried, start decorating. We take a pack of napkins we liked, separate the top layer, which is with a picture.

Separate the top layer of napkins with a pattern, tear them lengthwise into two parts

Separate the top layer of napkins with a pattern, tear them lengthwise into two parts

Tear napkins with a pattern lengthwise into three strips. We tear, we do not cut. We want a slightly uneven edge. Two stripes on one side get an even edge, we put them off to one side. We break the middle part into squares. The best option if they are 3-4 cm on a side.

Tear napkins

Tear napkins

We take glue, a brush, a small container. In it we mix PVA with water in equal proportions.

We dilute the glue with water

We dilute the glue with water

Next, we proceed to decorate the door with our own hands. We take a strip with an even edge, apply it to the area to be decorated (in this case, this is the center of the door leaf). Dip the brush in glue, with it we begin to smooth the fragment in different directions. Wrinkles form, but this is just not bad - the finish will turn out to be more textured, so you don't really need to align them. Wet wipes are very delicate and elastic, remember this when working, act carefully.

We work carefully with a brush dipped in PVA

We work carefully with a brush dipped in PVA

Gradually make a frame with one smooth edge. The second turns out to be carelessly torn.

We make a frame on the door from napkins

We make a frame on the door from napkins

Next, fill in the middle with squares. The technique is the same.

Filling the middle of the frame

Filling in the middle of the "frame"

DIY door decor is almost finished

DIY door decor is almost finished

When the entire surface is filled, we leave it for a day - we wait until the PVA dries. Next, take an acrylic varnish and cover our decor with a soft brush. To prevent it from smelling, we take a water-based varnish. It is a little more expensive, but it doesn't have a headache.

This is what happens after the varnish dries.

This is what happens after the varnish dries.

The beauty of decoupage is that we get beautiful things at a low cost.

Door decoration with self-adhesive film

Perhaps the easiest way is to update old doors with self-adhesive. All you need:

  • the film itself,
  • a spray bottle containing soap and water;
  • plastic spatula or soft cloth;
  • sharp knife (wallpaper can be used).

This film is available in different versions - there is a monochromatic matte or glossy, there is a monochromatic one with holographic patterns, wood imitation, there are even special doors for pasting with printed photo.

Part of the range of self-adhesive films

Part of the range of self-adhesive films

Regardless of the type of film, it is glued in the same way. In this case, they decided to update the old doors using the option with photo printing. One moment: before pasting, we remove handles, latches and other door hardware.

For the decor to be of high quality, the surface of the door must be clean, even and smooth. If you sanded it before doing this, try gluing on a small piece of film. If it sticks well, everything is fine. If it doesn't "stick", the doors will have to be primed, and then painted or varnished to create a smooth surface.

We take a spray bottle and evenly wet the door surface.

We spray the doors

We spray the doors

We shave the film, remove the protective layer from one of the corners, and spray it. So, wetting, we separate the protective paper from the upper part along the entire width of the film.

Separate the paper backing on the upper corner, moisten the film with water

Separate the paper backing on the upper corner, moisten the film with water

You should get a strip 15-20 cm wide. Do not remove any more so that the film does not stick to the canvas. We apply the peeled part to the upper edge of the door leaf (or the area to be decorated), it quickly sticks. Try to immediately apply it evenly, but the position can be corrected - for this we wetted the surface so that the film could be moved. If you pull it, it moves a little.

We apply the film to the upper edge of the door leaf and smooth it out, removing air

We apply the film to the upper edge of the door leaf and smooth it out, removing air

After making sure that the canvas lies flat, we take a plastic spatula (for wallpaper) and smooth the surface with it, moving from the center to the edges. The task is to remove all the air.Since the surface is wet, it is not difficult - water displaces air.

The rest is simple. We pull down the protective paper, peeling off the strip, glue it and so on - to the very bottom of the door. If you have glued the upper part for a long time, the lower one may dry out, therefore periodically check if the doors are dry, if necessary, spray again.

Cut off the excess

Cut off the excess

After the entire film has been glued, cut off the excess at the edges with a sharp knife. All that remains after this is to install the fittings.

This is how old doors can be renewed with photo-printed film.

This is how old doors can be renewed with photo-printed film.

Door decor with stencils

Old doors can be renovated with applied drawings. The only pity is that not everyone has artistic talents. But in this case, the problem is solved with the help of stencils. You can draw them yourself, or you can find the image you like, print it on thick paper, cut out the drawing with a sharp knife, leaving jumpers in places. So the stencil is ready.

The disadvantage of a paper stencil is that it does not last long. If you need a "long-playing" it must be transferred to a transparent dense film. In more detail, the technology for cutting a stencil for door decoration is shown in the video.

 

The drawing can be anything. Both geometric and floral, stylized images of animals, birds, cartoon characters are popular.

Here are some options for small stencils

Here are some options for small stencils

But they can be on the entire area of ​​the door leaf. It all depends on the style of the room and your desire.

The same technique can be used to decorate doors with glass. Many old doors have a regular glass insert. In order not to spend money on a patterned one, you can apply the pattern yourself.

Stencil on the door glass

Stencil on the door glass

How to make new doors out of old - photo ideas

One of the options for photo wallpaper on the door

One of the options for photo wallpaper on the door

 

Drawings with holographic effect

Drawings with holographic effect

 

Colors can be fun

Colors can be "fun"

The combination of thin and thick stripes gives a three-dimensional effect

The combination of thin and thick stripes gives a three-dimensional effect

 

Option for those who know how to draw - writing on the door

Option for those who know how to draw - writing on the door

 

You can use a map instead of wallpaper

You can use a map instead of wallpaper

Volume illusion

Volume illusion

 

Two-color rhombuses - not boring doors

Two-color rhombuses - not boring doors

Door decor option for a classic interior

Door decor option for a classic interior

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comment 3
  1. Olga
    09/29/2016 at 00:19 - Reply

    Thank you. Great article. I want to implement many ideas)

  2. Svetlana Nikolaevna
    04/09/2017 at 00:01 - Reply

    Handsomely. But it is clear that the doors are not used at all old, but very new. It takes a lot of work to align an old chipped door with paint drips and scratches, and truly old doors will not become so beautiful.

    • Svetlana
      10/22/2019 at 10:47 - Reply

      Agree with you!!! and nowhere do they write how much money was spent on this door ...

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