Choosing Internal Doors For Different Architectural Styles 

Ah, the humble internal door. Often overlooked, yet essential for creating harmony and flow within your home.

Whether you’re living in a cosy 18th century cottage, a sleek mid-century apartment, a brand new build or a 1930’s townhouse, finding the perfect interior door that complements the different architectural styles of houses can make all the difference. 

Here, we’ll provide some tips and inspiration for selecting internal doors that are the perfect match for your home sweet home, whatever the style.

The Glamour of Traditional Panel Doors For Your Home

Let’s start with the classics. Traditional homes built in Victorian and Edwardian times tend to be full of decorative elements such as feature fireplaces, , picture rails, ceiling roses and ornate mouldings, with high ceilings and tall windows.

When it comes to selecting internal doors for a traditional home like this, think classic textured designs and rich, warm finishes. 

Are there internal door designs that complement Victorian-era homes?

Solid core doors with bevelled panels such as the DX 30’s style panelled door and the four panel traditional Victorian style door are a hallmark of late 19th century/early 20th century style, and they’re perfect for adding depth and character to your interior spaces.

Opt for solid wood panel doors in oak, mahogany or cherry for an extra touch of luxury.

What hardware styles work well with traditional internal doors?

Now, let’s talk about hardware. For traditional panel doors, you’ll want to choose hardware that complements the textured aesthetic.

Think decorative ceramic door knobs or door handles in antique brass or oil-rubbed bronze finishes. These types of door handles are perfect for adding more warmth to a room and will help tie in seamlessly with the traditional vibe you’re going for.

Location matters too. Consider the placement of your interior doors within the house. For main entrances and formal spaces, opt for grander internal door designs. In contrast, for less formal areas like bedrooms and bathrooms, simpler internal door styles will do the trick.

And let’s not forget about lighting. Traditional homes often feature lots of natural light due to large windows, so choosing internal doors with glass panels such as the Lincoln glazed door will allow light to flow freely between rooms.

Glazed doors will not only brighten up your space but are perfect for creating a sense of openness and airiness, allowing you to use darker, more traditional colours in your decor without it swallowing a room.

Modern Flush Doors for the Trend-Setters

Sleek, stylish and oh-so-chic, when it comes to internal doors for an ultra modern home, less is definitely more. Look for clean lines, minimalist designs and smooth finishes that will complement the contemporary, minimalist aesthetic of your space.

What is the most popular internal door style for contemporary interiors?

Flush internal doors with smooth, unadorned surfaces are the epitome of modern door style. Opt for materials like glass, aluminium or monotone woods such as limed oak for a linear, designer look. 

With many modern homes designed for open plan living, these materials not only add a touch of modernity but also reflect light beautifully – adding to the sense of space and openness.

As for hardware, keep it simple and understated. Think angular door handles or knobs in brushed nickel or chrome, such as the Oro Oro Diamond chrome door handle.

These modern handles will blend seamlessly with your doors, boosting the overall minimalist vibe of your home with their clean lines and light-reflective finishes.

In modern spaces, internal doors will often serve as architectural features, so choose designs that make a statement. Internal bifold doors, industrial style doors, pocket doors or pivot doors are all excellent choices for adding a touch of drama and modern sophistication to your interior design.

How can I enhance natural light in my home with internal doors?

Light and airy space is usually a staple of a modern house. Often, they’ll feature large exterior windows and open floor plans, so choose internal doors that can exaggerate this.

Replace large portions of wall with full-length glazed doors and sidelights or glazed room dividers. 

Doing this will add to the open plan aesthetic as light is allowed to freely travel throughout the space, but also allows you to maintain some privacy if you wish, especially if you choose frosted glass. 

Frosted glass doors are perfect for bedrooms and bathrooms in modern homes, where privacy is important but you still want that light flow without compromising on the style of doors.

The Rustic Charm of Cottage-Style Doors

Cosy, inviting and full of character, an old cottage will conjure up all sorts of fuzzy feelings. When it comes to rustic internal doors, think natural materials such as oak, warm finishes and farmhouse-inspired designs.

Barn doors in particular are a quintessential choice for rustic interiors, with their sliding mechanism and weathered charm. They can be a great space saving option too.

Reclaimed solid wood doors with distressed finishes work really well for an authentic rustic look and feel. They’ll not only add character and warmth to your space, but also create a sense of cosiness and really amp up that handmade feel, too.

Shaker-style internal doors are another excellent option for rural homes, with their simple yet textured panelling, they offer a timeless appeal.

Often cottages and farmhouses were built with thick walls and small windows to keep the warm in, but that does often mean there isn’t an abundance of natural light.

Choose shaker-style glazed internal doors in natural wood finishes or light paints as this will help draw lots of light into a room.

Are there specific hardware options for cottage-style doors?

As for hardware, embrace the rustic charm with wrought iron or black matte door handles and hinges, which give a more hand-forged appearance. If you do opt for barn doors, choose door hardware with exposed rollers and straps for an extra dose of working farmhouse flair.

These types of rugged accents will add authenticity to your doors and tie them in beautifully with the rustic vibes you’re going for.

When it comes to door location, rustic homes often feature smaller rooms, lower ceilings and exposed beams. Choose internal doors that complement these architectural features in both colour and how they allow the room to be used, as space is often at a premium. 

Cottages and farmhouses don’t always allow for much in the way of structural changes, but if you are able to open up any internal walls, consider using shaker-style double doors to bring two rooms together, a dining room and living room for example.

This style of glazed French doors will still be sympathetic to the house as well as give you the flexibility to create a larger space for modern living.

Internal French doors are a great option if you have a room that doesn’t tend to get much light throughout the day.

Mid-Century Madness Where Anything Goes

Last but certainly not least, the delightful world of mid-century homes. Often a “blank canvas” by design, you can really put your stamp on them.

They can be bold, vibrant and full of personality. So, when it comes to internal doors for a mid-century home, the sky’s the limit! 

Can I mix and match different internal door styles in my home?

There are many routes you could take, it might be that you want to mix and match styles, materials and colours to create a space that’s uniquely yours.

On the flip side, you might wish to go ultra-chic, and really lean into the retrofuturism aesthetic with the monotone colours and smooth lines of plywood flush doors, that will transport you right back to the 70’s.

For more eclectic, bohemian mid-century interiors, anything goes – from bold coloured woodwork and quirky designs, to salvaged doors and vintage finds.

To ensure your doors fit the vibe, mix and match door styles to create visual interest and add personality to each room. Consider using doors with unique detailing, such as carved panels, decorative bevelled glass inserts or intricate patterns to make a statement and showcase your individuality.

As for hardware, let your imagination run wild. Eclectic homes are all about self-expression, so don’t be afraid to mix and match hardware styles, finishes and materials.

Consider using vintage door knobs, colourful handles, or even quirky accessories like door knockers or letterbox plates to add a touch of whimsy to your interior doors.

It’s all about the element of surprise in an eclectic home, so choose an interior door that reflects this sense of adventure and make it a focal point.

Consider using salvaged doors as statement pieces or create “hidden” doorways that blend seamlessly into the wall to add an element of mystery and intrigue to your space.

Hidden doors aren’t actually hidden, but painting them the same colour as your walls can be a great look when you really want to ramp up the kitsch.

Mid-century homes are often filled with vibrant colours and warm wood tones, which are offset by large angular windows.

If you’d prefer to keep the internal door style consistent throughout your home, then glazed doors such as ISEO internal doors and heritage style doors with their sharp, defined lines and symmetrical glazing are perfect for continuing the angular appearance.

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If you’re still unsure which type of interior door to go for, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team of experts, there’s always someone on hand to guide you through the decision making process, whether it’s French doors, fire doors or sliding doors you’re looking for!