Interior Doors 101: Styles, Trends & What to Know Before You Buy

TL; DR: The interior door is a (somewhat overlooked) element within your home that either enhances or detracts from your style, but also provides many functional benefits. If you would like to improve the sound control, energy efficiency, use of space, and overall home quality, you may want to consider upgrading your interior doors. Continue reading to learn more about the types of interior doors and the endless style options of interior doors. 

If you are looking for ideas to update and modernize your home, new interior doors may be the home improvement project for you. Often overlooked, the interior door can help reinforce the style of a home. If you live in a builder-grade or older home, there is a good chance that the style of your interior doors is dating your home.

In addition to the style, there are also many benefits to updating your interior doors. Read more to determine if it’s time to update your interior doors and how to select the best replacement doors for your home.

The Type of Interior Doors In Your Home Does Matter

Some may wonder if it’s worth updating the interior doors in a home. In addition to the design and style, interior doors offer many benefits to a home, including:

• Privacy
• Sound Control
• Energy Efficiency
• Quality/Home Value

First, you should decide if you are going to buy new interior doors or refinish the existing interior doors in your home. If you are renovating an entire home or building new, there are also cost considerations to consider when buying a large number of interior doors.

Next, you will want to consider the style of your home. Whether your home is designed with a modern, traditional, or country cottage look, Home Outlet offers a variety of high quality and affordable interior doors to match your style. 

Types of Interior Doors & Benefits 

There are many interior door styles to choose from, and each offers unique benefits for both the style and functionality of your home. The interior bedroom door you choose may be different from what you need for your bathroom door, office door, or pantry door. The following interior door options are available at Home Outlet.

• Slab Doors - If you are looking for the door only, without the frame, hinges, or hardware included, you will need a slab door. Slab doors are offered in a variety of styles and materials, and are typically used when you already have a door frame in place and do not need the other materials.
  
• Pre-Hung Doors - The alternative to a slab door is the pre-hung door - it comes with the necessary frame and hinges for hanging the interior door. Like the slab doors, a variety of styles and materials can be found among pre-hung doors. When purchasing a pre-hung door, it’s important to note whether you are shopping for a left-hand or right-hand door.
  
• French Doors - If your space allows, a beautiful set of double doors, or French Doors, is a timeless way to make a statement in a room. They also come in many styles - from slabs to panels to glass inserts. You will also find a variety of size options to accommodate the needs of your space. Common places to use the French Door style is in the home office, master bedroom, or the master bathroom.
• Barn Doors - Barn doors are a creative way to add more style to a room. Traditionally, they are made from wood, giving your home a rustic appeal. They are also a space-saving alternative to swinging doors because they don’t require floor space. A common issue in the master bedroom, where the bath door can intersect with the entry door, can be alleviated with the barn door.The new trend in the barn door is now leaning more toward a flat, slab style to create a minimalistic, contemporary look.
  Installing an unconventional fixture requires having the correct barn door hardware. This door style requires a sliding tracker rather than a hinge. To ensure you have everything needed to install your door, visit Home Outlet to purchase your barn door hardware kit.
  
• Pocket Doors - If space is tight, consider installing a pocket door to avoid the inconvenience of the in-swing or out-swing of a traditional door. Common uses for this door include bathrooms, closets, and pantries. 

To determine the best interior door style for your room, you will want to consider the room layout, functionality of the space, and your home style.

Choosing the Right Interior Door Material for your Style and Budget

The selection of materials for your interior door will weigh heavily on the functionality you hope to create with the door. If you are looking for a high-quality product with improved sound control, your selection will be different from someone looking for a value product on a budget.

Solid Doors - Solid pine interior doors offer a blend of beauty and strength that enhances the character of any home. They are made entirely from natural wood, offering a robust and dense structure that provides excellent sound insulation and long-lasting durability.Unlike hollow-core doors, solid wood doors have a heavier feel and are available in various wood types, finishes, and designs to match any style.

What Are the Benefits of Solid Pine Interior Doors?

• Durability: Solid wood doors are built to last, resisting dents and scratches better than other door types, making them an ideal choice for high-traffic areas.
• Sound Insulation: The density of solid wood provides superior soundproofing, ensuring privacy and reducing noise between rooms.
• Aesthetic Appeal: With their rich grain patterns and natural beauty, solid wood doors add a touch of elegance and warmth to any room.
• Customizable: Solid wood doors can be easily customized with stains, paints, or finishes to perfectly complement your interior design.

Hollow Core Doors - Hollow core doors are lightweight, constructed with a wood or fiberboard exterior shell and a honeycomb-like cardboard interior to provide support. Hollow core doors are budget-friendly and offer various style options, but may lack durability, sound control, and energy efficiency when compared to a solid door.

What Are the Benefits of Hollow Core Interior Doors?

• Affordability: Due to the construction of the door, the hollow core interior door is more budget-friendly for the average homeowner, especially if you are looking to buy a larger quantity of interior doors at one time.
• Ease of Installation: Also a benefit of the construction, hollow core doors are much lighter and easier to handle, transport, and install - especially if this is a DIY project. 
• Low Maintenance: Solid wood doors may warp or expand due to humidity, but hollow core doors are resistant to changes due to the engineered wood materials used in the door.
• Practical Choice: If durability is not a top priority, many builders and homeowners opt for a hollow core door, especially in lower traffic areas of the home like bedrooms, closets, and pantries.

How to Choose the Right Interior Door Style to Enhance Your Home’s Aesthetic

Determining the type of interior door and material you will use is the crucial first step. Next comes the fun part - the style. The interior door you select may dictate the style options available, but most of the options above provide a range of personalizations to fit your needs.

• Panels: The number of panels and the style of the panels on the interior door will change the look and style of your unit drastically. Below are a few suggestions; however, there are many options and combinations to choose from!
• Modern & Minimalist: Flat or flush door with no raised or recessed panels. You could also utilize a one or two-panel (recessed) interior door style.
• Farmhouse: Opt for a five-panel or three-panel door in shaker-style - this is also a great option for a Craftsman style home.
• Traditional: Raised panels with four or six panels and an arch top.
•  Glass: The right space and style may look great with an open, glass insert in the door. 
• This is a great way to showcase an impressive space like an office or patio area.
• You could also opt for a frosted or decorative glass insert to limit visibility or add a personalized touch in spaces like pantries and laundry rooms. 
• Size: While the space you are putting the door in may dictate the size you can use, here is a handy guide to the most common sizes if you are doing a larger remodel or building.
• The standard interior door height is 80” (6’8”) and comes in widths of 24”, 28”, 30”, 32”, or 36”. 
• An ADA-compliant door should be 36” wide for wheelchair access
• Bedrooms and bathrooms are often 30” or 32”, closet doors 24” or 28” and pantry doors 24” or 30”. 
• If you are remodeling or building, consider going to 96” on the door height for a wow factor that give the illusion of a bigger space.
• Trim: An often overlooked feature of an interior door is the trim work accenting the door. The trim, also known as molding or casing, is the piece of material that surrounds the door on the sides and top. The style of casing you select is guaranteed to enhance your home's style if you pick correctly.
• Traditional: Opt for casing that is between 3-5” and features rounded edges, fluted designs, and tiered or beveled designs. Traditional colors are white, off-white, or wood stains.
• Modern: A simpler, squared-off piece of trim is often used for a modern look using 1x4 or 1x5 boards, typically best in white, black, or bold colors.
• Farmhouse or Craftsman: Select thicker, squared edges with layered trim using white, warm wood tones, or black for contrast. If you are leaning toward the Craftsman style, try going with a wider top header piece of trim to add more character.

DIY and Budget-Friendly Ways to Upgrade Your Interior Doors

Before you buy new interior doors, consider updating your existing doors yourself or with the help of a professional. If the interior doors in your home are made out of a quality material, a small upgrade is a great option for refreshing the look of the room. Consider the following projects that are both DIY and budget-friendly.

• New Hardware & Hinges - an instant, easy update to an outdated door (note: it is common to mix metals throughout your home if you aren’t sure what color to go with).
  
• New Paint or Stain - the door color sets the tone for the room; make a statement by painting your interior door a bold black shade or achieve a more timeless look with a classic white paint color.
• Adding Trim and Molding - the Home Outlet millwork department offers a wide selection of case molding and crown molding to create a unique, custom look around your existing interior doors. The various molding options help to create a higher-end look in your home at a low cost. 

Update your Interior Doors Today!

Whether you are buying a new interior door or updating the interior doors in your home, an important consideration is how the door will fit your home's style. We recommend doing some research to understand your current home style or what kind of general style(s) you like. 

If you want to create a modern style throughout your home, your interior door selection will likely be much different than a craftsman style or farmhouse style. Look for products and updates that complement the style you are hoping to achieve. 

Ready to take the next step? Browse the interior door selection at Home Outlet online or visit a nearby store and get the best price estimate for your project needs. If you are looking for professional help for the installation of your doors, check out the Home Outlet Installer Directory. You can find this directory by searching for your local store, clicking “visit store page”, and then clicking “Find a Local Installer”. 

About The Author

With over 15 years of experience in marketing and sales, Danial R. specializes in crafting strategic content for both online and offline audiences, driving internal communications, and staying ahead of industry trends. For the past six years, she's focused on the building materials industry, attending national design shows annually to bring fresh insights and inspiration to her work. Having recently built her own home, she brings a hands-on perspective to home improvement projects and shares practical advice based on real-world experience. She holds a degree in Marketing Management and a Master of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing, blending academic expertise with industry know-how to help homeowners and professionals achieve their goals.