Choosing the perfect door: get inspired by our tips

When the time comes for selecting interior finishes, there is a crucial question that sooner or later we all have to face: what to do with interior doors?

They are often taken for granted and their selection is not given the proper consideration. Despite them being an item of furniture in all respects, the common trend in the choice of interior doors is selecting the simplest designs featuring neutral colours (usually white) that would not clash with other finishes in the house. However, can we be really sure that we have weighed all the options?

Door featuring fixed door frame in white painted minimal aluminium, movable frame in same coloured wood and one clear glass panel. In this case, the white is not an anonymous colour thanks to the nuance chosen for the walls: dark painted walls create a strong contrast and confer even more importance to the door.

In the following article we offer you some tips to think about when selecting the perfect interior door for each environment. There are no golden rules that could apply to every situation. Nonetheless, a general overview of all the variables that can influence the style and harmony of our interiors will help us focus on the right tools and prepare us to choose wisely and without risking having subsequent second thoughts.

1. Know the space

One must always bear in mind that the door is a three-dimensional element that moves in space. The type of opening can make a big difference if, for example, large spaces are not available.

Hinged door featuring bleached oak frame and one acid-etched or satin glass panel. Hinged doors require swing radius manoeuvring space that should always be taken into account, as well as swing direction.

Double leaf door sliding externally over the wall, featuring dark stained oak frame and clear ribbed glass panels. Sliding doors, moving over the wall or inside it, require less space in depth and allow you to cover wider openings.

Pivot door with central axis pivot point, featuring light natural oak frame and clear glass. Pivot doors “invade” the space almost as much as hinged doors, if the vertical axis of rotation is placed in an asymmetrical position; when the pivot pin is placed in the centre of the opening width, required manoeuvring space might be even smaller and depends on the opening width.

2. Know the functionality of each space

The positioning of the door is equally fundamental: each room needs individual evaluation and it is important to establish hierarchies. In between two rooms of the living area, such as a living room and an eat-in kitchen, a light filter will be preferred; on the other hand, a decisive boundary without visual continuity will be required to separate servant spaces (such as bathroom, laundry, closet) from a space intended for a different use.

Sliding door featuring ebony frame with muntins and clear glass. The sliding door delimits two spaces intended for similar use, as in this case, without creating a clear separation. Enriching the door panel with elaborate wooden profiles or crosspieces adds a touch of style without compromising the visual permeability of the whole.

Solid core pivot door in dark stained oak, matching the finish of the boiseries. The door disappears from view and will prevent anyone to see inside a room that you want to keep private, such as a bathroom or a walk-in wardrobe.

3. Know the style

There are many options to consider with reference to aesthetics but, to begin with, we need to understand what the specific purpose of our internal door is. It could be the dominant focal point of the room or become invisible, it could become a scenographic sculpture or completely disappear into boiseries. It is up to us to decide its design style to make the most out of it: the door is not just a functional element that delimits spaces but is also a true object of design.

Double-leaf sliding door in light walnut wood featuring custom design. Sliding doors are more suitable for customization than any other door type due to their larger surface area. In this case, the sliding doors serve as decorative room dividers for the open space, as well as light shading filters.

Single hinged door integrated into oak wall panelling. The door disappears from sight and becomes one with the wall. The recessed door handle and uninterrupted floor and ceiling skirting boards increase the feeling of continuity.

4. Know the materials

The door’s role is not reduced to merely filling the gap in the wall, instead it carries a significant stylistic load depending on the materials and finishes with which it is made. Timber frame is a classic that will never fade; it always brings warmth to a room, interacts with present furnishings and combines enduring and traditional material with the most advanced technology and design. Glass panel can become an item of a very powerful aesthetic effect, especially in its floor-to-ceiling version, and is perfect for those situations, in which natural light should be able to flow from one room to another.

Hinged door featuring dark stained oak frame and panel combined with the boiseries. Wood grain adds a touch of style to the minimalist environment that wants to stand out while remaining sober and elegant, simple but not banal.

Symmetrical pivot door featuring one gray tinted transparent glass panel. Different glass shades must be carefully evaluated: in this setting, you can recognize the value of the sunlight filter of coloured glass and its decisive visual effect.