How to Paint an Interior Door: Hale Navy
My navy blue front door is one of the most admired features of my home. It pops against the Revere Pewter walls and white trim!
I’ve already shared how much I love the color, Hale Navy. And I finally painted something navy in my house: my front door!
I’ve been intrigued by the paint-all-of-the-interior-doors-black movement for a while now. I think painting interior doors a dark hue creates contrast with the trim and adds drama and interest to your home. It’s yet another simple way to add a layer of personalization and beauty. I love it!
But I’m not into black furnishings or paint. It’s just not me. But navy? I looooove navy and I really fell hard for Hale Navy.
How I Picked Hale Navy for my Front Door
So, a couple of weeks ago, I decided to paint my door to the garage in my laundry room and the inside of my front door navy. I knew it was the color for me.
The first step I take in picking out a paint color is do my research. First, I search for the color on Pinterest and I google images of it. I love seeing it in different spaces, and used to paint all kinds of things. Check out my favorite paint colors board on Pinterest.
The great thing about Pinterest is that you can virtually test drive a paint color before you buy it. Fifteen years ago when I was helping my mom pick out paint colors, there wasn’t really any way to “test drive” a paint color without trying it out on the wall first. We came up with some great colors, but we also had some misses too.
I do recommend buying sample pots of different colors and trying them out when painting a large room or rooms. But it’s not as crucial when painting a door. Check out how I picked the gray color in my open concept floor plan HERE.
Of course, even with Pinterest, I can still have “misses” when it comes to paint colors. I learned the importance of picking the right color the first time while painting my laundry room door. I’ll share pictures when it’s complete, but let’s just say I may or may not have painted the door two and a half times. Why? Because when I had an opportunity to go buy paint, I couldn’t find my Hale Navy paint swatch to color match at Lowe’s.
And so I figured all navy paint colors are the same and just picked one up when I got there. {Are you kidding me?!?!} I should totally know better.
So I painted it some navy from Lowe’s …. I can’t even remember the color. And it was bad. More like a royal blue. I promise I’ll show all the bad pics when I reveal the laundry room.
So, then I painted half of it with some gray paint I had on hand. Another no go. I finally went back and got a new BM Hale Navy swatch, took it to Lowe’s and had them color match it in their Valspar Ultra Paint + Primer semi-gloss paint. Muuuuch better!
I love how the fanlights in and above the door now stand out.
And I love how the yellow lamp shade pops against the navy blue. Just gives me goose bumps.
Painting the Door
And really, painting a door isn’t very hard or time-consuming. You just want to make sure you sand it all down a bit. I didn’t want to take off all the paint, just rough it up some. If you really want to be serious, you can use a de-glosser from the hardware store, but I just chose the sanding route.
Ignore the very chipped fingernail polish.
Then I wiped the door down with a wet cloth and taped the heck out of it.
There’s not much to it and the payout is huge! I ended up painting three coats just to make sure everything was coated completely. I didn’t want any white showing through!
And I know I already posted this pic above, but you can see the transformation from boring beige entry way to a fun, custom, colorful entry way that we have now.
I still need to find a new light to go in this space. And maybe a rug? I can’t decide on the rug, but I’ll be sure to let you know if I make any more changes.
Would you ever paint an interior door? Leave in a link in the comments if you have!
Would you paint it a dark color like black or navy? Or a bright color?
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I see that most of the comments are a year old, but I’m going ahead with mine. I’ve been giving serious thought to colors — almost the exact color scheme that you chose. I already had pinned Revere pewter… I’m lovin gray right now — walls, furniture – you name it. I lean more toward teal than navy…. but it’s not out of the question and you’ve given me the idea to paint the interior side of my front door. I also want to stain a couple of pieces of furniture a dull and rustic gray tone. I’m also planning to paint a couple of curtain panels gray & teal, with a bit of dark rich brown on white fabric.. Here is the color I would choose for my front door – from a pin I’ve drooled over now for a while: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/320037117242949209/ and another I just pinned today that perfectly matches what I have in mind: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/320037117243235456/ except I would want my door a bit darker – like the hutch – which is almost a mix of indigo and teal.. Thank you for the idea! I plan to spend a few minutes here to check out your other ideas. Thanks again.
Those colors sound like they will work beautifully! As you’ll see in my home, I use turquoise and teals and navy and grays. I love them all and think they work together splendidly. 🙂 Send me pictures when you’re done painting… I’d love to see it all!
I just painted my interior doors Hale Navy and OMG! I am in love! What an awesome idea. I’m so glad you found and shared. Can’t wait to find something to do with the leftover paint!
I don’t have entrance area in my home. But thinking about doing our kitchen in a grey paint and the hale navy door inside would look great too. What do you think? What color did you finally get mixed for the hale navy and what color is the wall when you walk in ?
It looks great!
My walls are Revere Pewter from Benjamin Moore. LOVE it next to the Hale Navy {BM color, too} door!
Absolutely stunning! I am in the process of buying my first home and your entryway/color scheme is my inspiration for the color pallet I want to use for the main living spaces and hallways in my home–and of course I must use Hale Navy for my front door! 🙂 With that said, what color of white trim did you use with your Hale Navy/Revere Pewter entryway? Thank you so much for sharing your design ideas..I am truly appreciative!
Hi Lesley – congrats on your new home! That’s so exciting!! The trim was already painted that color when we moved in, but when I painted the Board and Batten in my living room, I tried to match it. So I ended up using Simply White from Benjamin Moore, which was a close match! It’s a beautiful white and I love it. 🙂
Did u use special paint for a metal door, or just plain latex paint?
I just used latex paint!
You are sharing such a wonderful information regarding to the interior door paints. I have an old house and I want to repaint the doors and windows. The old color of door is white. Can i use the light pink color. Because its my daughter’s favorite color.
Meh, I liked it better before all the color changes.
Wow these doors are looking awesome.I need to do this to my front door to so it’s very beneficial for me.
All doors are good but i navy doors i likes the most.Thanks for sharing this post.Keep posting
What a fabulous color! Ihaven’t even considered painting the inside of my door….until now! 😉 great work and thanks for posting!
Hi Laura,
I love your entryway!! Why did you not opt to use eggshell rather than sand down the sheen? Just curious. I am about to paint my door as well and am wondering which finish will be a good fit.
Thanks!
Hi! I wanted the door to be glossy, so I chose a semi-gloss. I would probably sand it and also prime it and use semi-gloss paint if I did it over again. Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks. I was not looking at the pictures, just read your commentary and did not notice the sanding took place BEFORE the painting… 🙂 Thought you did that after to give the door a bit of a distressed look.
Oh, gotcha! 🙂
This is gorgeous!! I actually just bought some white paint to repaint all my interior doors but have been wanting to do something different to the front door. It needs to be painted inside and out. This is definitely an idea and now I KNOW I want a bolder color on it. I look at everything on pinterest, now sure why I never thought of searching colors on it. Question – what type of paintbrush did you use to paint the door? I’m afraid a bristle brush would streak and even though I like some texture, I’m really wanting smooth for my door. Thanks.
I used my good old Purdy brush. Not sure which one it is, but it’s a latex paint brush, not oil based. I tried hard to brush with the “grain” of the door and I did a pretty good job of making it smooth. I can’t see the brush lines too much, and it’s so dark that you can’t tell unless you get really close and look really hard. Be sure and use primer on your doors. I didn’t, and while the paint isn’t coming off or anything, I’m thinking I would be better off to have used it. I wouldn’t feel so nervous every time someone got near it. 🙂
Love the update! I need to do this to my front door to, it adds a big punch! If you get a chance, please link up to my link party.
Thanks Rita! I just linked up some of my projects to your link party. Thanks for the invite!
Gorgeous color – is the front of your door painted the same color? I’m itching to change my front door from aqua to a darker gray… maybe I’ll paint the inside too for fun!
The front of the door is actually a dark green, which came with the house (definitely not my pick). And we have an HOA, so I have to get their permission to change it. I need to find the color I want and then submit my changes. Currently I have red brick and dark green door and shutters. Kinda looks like Christmas year round. Ha!
Great job on the door. I adore the color…especially since it is the same as my master bedroom 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing this at the Pinworthy Projects Party this week.
It’s such a beautiful color! Love partying with you every week!!
LOVE the navy door! I’m hoping to paint our door soon, too. So glad I found your post! 🙂
Thanks Allison! I can’t wait to see what color you paint yours!
That looks great, adds a totally different look than the white door. Love the color you picked.
Thanks Lisa!!
Great color and what a huge impact its made! Great job.
Thanks so much, Deidre! Hope you have a great weekend!!
Wow! I love how rich the color on the door makes the entire space. That deep blue is one of my go to colors!
Corey from TinySidekick.com
Thanks Corey! I’m glad you’re a fellow navy fan!
Amazing! Your entryway is gorgeous and the door really completes the look! Thanks for the instructions – I have been needing to paint the interior of my back door for awhile, so this is very useful!
Thanks Breighanne! I’m glad you like it. 🙂 Just a tip I forgot to include in the post – you may want to prime your door before you paint it. Probably wouldn’t hurt. I was in a hurry and didn’t. Thanks for stopping by!!
Love the door! I’ve been contemplating painting the interior door to the nursery a color. Your post definitely helps me make my decision =)
I’m so glad I could help. 🙂
I love how dramatic that looks!
Thank you! Me too!!
I so need to paint a few doors. Great tutorial. Look forward to looking more through your site. Found you at link party. Check out denisedesigned fb, pinterest and blog as well. Thanks.
Thanks so much, Denise! Welcome to The Turquoise Home. 🙂 I’m so glad you stopped by! I’ll head over right now and check out your blog!
Thanks Laura!!
Such a pretty entry…love the door color!
Thanks so much, Martina! And thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. 🙂
So beautiful, Laura! PERFECT color choice! Now I’m going to have to find something to paint Hale Navy… 😉 Hope you’re having a great Monday, my friend!
~Abby =)
Oh, you’ll love it. I’m trying to find more things to paint this color, too! Hope you’re having a great week!
I LOVE a dark interior door. It warms up a space in the chic-est way. This look fabulous!
Oh, I so agree, Kylie! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Great job, and I love the color! I’d love if you’d link up to The DIYers.
Thanks Kayla! I’ll be sure to come over and link up. Please come by in the morning at 8 am CST to link up to Work it Wednesday with my awesome co-hosts!
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
I cannot BELIEVE the contrast in your before and after photos. Simply incredible! This gets me really excited for being homeowners someday (maybe soon!) and getting to make simple yet dramatic transformations through DIYs like door painting. (Great color choice with the hale navy, too. Girl, you’ve got an eye!)
Looks great!
This looks great Laura! I would love to try painting the interior of a door. Maybe next go around!
Love your door!
Thank you, Pamela! I love it, too!!
So welcoming! Love the navy door and yellow lampshade!
Thanks Heather! It’s probably my favorite thing about looking at my entry way… the yellow and navy combo. Divine!
I love this! I have a really 1970’s looking front door, on the outside it’s a red color- I can’t change it because the landlord would flip – but oh yes the inside is now getting painted! I followed you on pinterest too because I can’t wait to get even more ideas!
Aww, thanks Debi! I have to get approved by my HOA to paint the outside of the door, so I’ve been waiting on that. BUT, I’m so pleased with how painting the inside turned out. Let me know how it turns out when you paint your door!
Thanks for stopping by!!
Love the navy door! Anything navy goes in my book!
Looove navy! Thanks girl. 🙂
This looks great! I wouldn’t have thought how much better it looks with the darker color. What a difference when you look at the 3 pics side by side!
I know, right? Such a quick and easy way to make a big impact! Thanks for stopping by, Cathy!