Learn how to paint interior doors

There’s no need to remove interior doors from their hinges, so simply place a plastic sheet or newspaper underneath the door to catch any drips. Remove any doorknobs or locks and place in a safe place.

Use a medium or fine grade sandpaper to get the door looking and feeling as smooth as possible. Its best to try and avoid making it look too ‘polished’ – the paint will stick better if the surface has a small amount of grip.

If you’re painting a flat door with no paneling or molding, we recommend you choose a 4-inch (10cm) brush or a small roller. Painting paneled doors? You’ll need a small 2-inch (5cm) brush. For more paintbrush tips and tricks, read our guide to choosing the perfect paintbrush here.

Use a cloth or a sponge to slightly dampen (not soak) the door surface. This trick will help to increase the time the paint takes to dry, giving you longer to apply it and reducing brush marks.

Using a good quality primer like Dulux Wood Primer will help the paint glide on more smoothly. Apply one coat of primer suitable for wooden surfaces and let dry (check the drying instructions if you’re unsure how long it takes).

Apply the paint in even, broad strokes across the surface of the door. If you can, try and avoid going back over surfaces already painted – this will help you create an even finish. We recommend applying two coats, allowing the paint to dry fully in between each coat. Once the door is painted and dry, replace your hardware and admire your handiwork!