Black interior front door with white trim

I must admit that I am obsessed with black interior doors.  BLACK IS BACK and considered to be the new neutral. I know many of you have seen black trending as of late and black doors are no exception.  Interior black doors look good in any style home and with most paint and floor colors.

Black doors will elevate any space and make it a bit dressier.  There are 5 reasons why you should paint your interior doors black.

Black interior front door with white trim

#1 Black Doors Add Instant Drama to Any Space

Black interior front door with white trim

Can you imagine how different this entry would look without the black doors to add the visual excitement and drama that they do?

Black interior front door with white trim

A white door is expected.  A black door is bold and classy.

Black interior front door with white trim

#2 Painting “Builder Grade” Doors Makes Them Look More Expensive

Black interior front door with white trim

Talk about a quick fix!  Add “insta luxury” to any interior stock door with a can of black paint!  Easy, peasy!

Black interior front door with white trim

The black paint I use is Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black.  The semi-gloss has a reflective sheen that catches your eye!

Additionally, it’s easy to clean and more stain resistant than a flat or eggshell finish.

You can paint the trim around the door black to match the door.

Black interior front door with white trim

White Trim Dark Doors

Or keep the trim the same color as the trim on the baseboards and ceiling. The photo below shows how great a room can look with white trim and dark doors.

Black interior front door with white trim

To create a stark contrast or accent in your room,  paint all the trim black.

Black interior front door with white trim

Just because one door is black doesn’t mean they all have to match!

Black interior front door with white trim

#3 Black Doors Add Balance to Other Black Décor in the Room

Black interior front door with white trim

Can you see the black chest of drawers?

The black interior doors help to anchor the space. The black chest of drawers would have been lost in this entry without them.  And don’t you just love the pop of green lamps against the black backdrop?

Black interior front door with white trim

You’d hardly notice the black tones in this bathroom tile without the black door.  The black tones in the bathroom are very subtle, highlighted by the interior black door.

Black interior front door with white trim

Hardware Color for Black Doors

My first choice for hardware is brass – notice how it stands out on the black door in this black and white kitchen.

Black interior front door with white trim

#4 Black Doors Conceal Dirt

Black interior front door with white trim

I wish it had occurred to me when my children were small to paint my kitchen doors black.  The black interior doors would have disguised a multitude of dirty little hand prints!

This includes pantry doors which can be revolving doors for children!  Read about cool pantry doors for your kitchens here.

Black interior front door with white trim

#5 Black Doors Make Ceilings Appear Taller 

Black interior front door with white trim

Black interior doors draw the eye upward and give the illusion of a taller ceiling height.   

Black interior front door with white trim

This solid black door soars up and is the focal point of the room.

You can see how black interior doors work with any interior style!  The floor and furnishings in this home are rustic – yet it seems like a wooden door wouldn’t have fit in! The black door makes perfect sense.

What is the Best Black Color to Paint My Interior Doors?

My favorite black for interior doors is Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black.  It doesn’t have any undertones and it’s the most neutral black that I’ve found. It looks great with most colors which makes it extremely versatile.

What is the Best Paint Finish for Interior Doors?

Paint finishes range from high gloss to flat and there are a few factors to consider when choosing your paint finish.  The higher the gloss, the more durable & stain resistant your paint will be. While providing a bold, dramatic look, a high gloss finish will also magnify imperfections.  So, prepping carefully before painting is essential.  Semi-gloss and Satin finishes are used most often because they have less sheen, but are still very durable.  Flat finishes have no sheen, but are harder to keep clean.

How to Clean Black Interior Doors

Painted interior doors are easy to clean!  Dust them regularly with a microfiber cloth which will pick up more dust than a feather duster.  Then use a cleaner that will remove oil & grease like vinegar and water or for tougher dirt use a mild dish soap and water.

What’s the Best Trim Paint Color to use With Black Doors?

The best trim color should coordinate with the paint color and finish of your walls.  Colors like white, cream and grey always look good!  Or, you can paint the trim around the door black for a seamless look.

The 5 Reasons to Paint Your Interior Doors Black

  1. They add instant drama to any space
  2. Black doors make builder grade doors look more expensive
  3. They add balance to other black decor in the room
  4. Black conceals dirt
  5. Black doors make ceilings look taller

Black interior front door with white trim

Black interior front door with white trim

Photo credits:  Angel & Blume, beayoutifullife.com, andelconsortium.com, Katy Matinez Design, Pinterest, quitestyle, multifamilyexecutive.com, Trim Team, Starspot, makinglemonade, MonicaWantsIt, homeemployment.info, theinspiredroom.net, Cecy J Interiors, bpmsupplies.ie

Leslie Hendrix Wood is the founding editor of the luxury lifestyle and design blog, Hadley Court and an has her own interior design firm, Leslie Hendrix Wood Interiors in Midland, Texas.

Leslie received her undergraduate degree in business. She worked briefly in banking and returned to school to earn her MBA.

Upon graduation, she moved to Washington D.C. to work on a Presidential campaign and received a Presidential appointment to a position in International Trade.

At the end of the administration, Leslie returned to her hometown and joined the family oil and gas business, although her first passion has always been, after raising her children with her husband, business and interior design.

When she saw her children were closer to leaving home, she decided to start the blog, Hadley Court. in 2012, which won the Design Bloggers Conference Hall of Fame award for Best New Design Blog in 2013 - a prestigious honor granted by her peers.

In 2014, she is, in addition to blogging, beginning to build the family friendly luxury lifestyle brand: HADLEY COURT, based on her values of Gracious Living, Timeless Design and Family Traditions.

Should a black door have white trim?

If you are painting interior doors black, the trim can either be painted to match or to contrast. Black interior doors with white trim make the door stand out more. Black trim with a black door looks amazing too. This creates a cohesive style that looks custom.

Should your front door match your trim?

It's a common question, “Do interior doors and trim have to match?” The short answer is no. The doors and trim can be whatever style and color you want them to be. Your home's design is entirely up to you.

Is it a good idea to paint your interior doors black?

While black can be an excellent choice when it comes to interior house painting, it's not best to use this particular color on a door located in an extremely closed-in area because the dark hue can make the area feel smaller. However, used on a door that is in an open space, black can have a soothing effect.

Is black a good Colour for front door?

Black is an expression of the Feng Shui element, water. Therefore, black is an excellent color choice for a front door that faces north. If you have a north-facing door, painting it black strengthens the energy of your home.