• Paint your interior doors to update them.painted door image by Empath from Fotolia.com
  
  You spent a considerable deal of money decorating your room, from selecting paints and fabrics to organizing knick-knacks and pictures. Now you find yourself facing plain, uninspiring interior doors, the one spot in the room you may not be completely sure how to handle. All you need now are a few ideas for painting interior doors to complete your design, taking the room from mediocre to remarkable.
  
  

Colors Schemes

• Paint your interior doors with colors taken from your existing décor. You may choose a paint color that complements your existing color palette to help expand the look of the room by removing the visually blocking image of an unfinished door, or you may want to infuse a room with a bright, attention-grabbing contrasting color. This design works well for eclectic styles and modern designs. Balance the new color of the door by placing similarly colored items throughout the room to keep the eye moving. The easiest way to select colors is to look at a color wheel to help you decide which colors work alongside your color scheme and which colors work opposite your existing design.
  
  

Creating Patterns and Interest

• Use paints to add interest with creative patterns. Teenagers may like animal prints or an assortment of shapes, patterns and textures. Geometric shapes work well in contemporary and modern designs. Color combinations work better for these types of painting ideas. Paint the door a base coat of one color, and use another to accent door panels. If your room is theme specific, you may want to paint favorite sayings or passages across the door. Another paint idea is to paint medallions, like a mariner's compass for a nautical themed room or a fleur de lis common in European design. Use paint to accent structural elements of the door or use painted wood appliqués to provide the interest and notice necessary to transform the interior door from bland to impressive.
  
  

Faux Paint Ideas

• In some designs, a faux design works better than a solid burst of color. If your design theme is traditional or colonial, and all you have are unadorned plain white doors, add breathtaking elegance by painting the door to resemble the classic look of natural hardwood. Faux paint techniques resemble so many materials that your design ideas are limitless. Copper and iron doors are common in many rustic or medieval designs. In addition to faux materials, add age and antiquity with a faux paint technique. For example, country cottage designs usually feature white or pastel painted doors with stressed or hammered edges and detail. Designs like these are comforting, reflecting years of use and warmth.
  
  

Murals

• Particular favorites in nurseries and children's rooms, mural-painted doors provide a stunning visionary escape for rooms that lack that special design element. Homeowners without a decent outdoor view may paint the interior doors to look like a welcoming garden or an exotic vacation retreat. Rustic themes may feature a mural that includes a stunning view of mountains, deep forests or a trailing path through a flowering meadow. The door to a little girl's room could include a gate that leads to a gorgeous palace or a boy's favorite dinosaur or wild animal.