skip to main content

Remodeling Design Dilemma

Interior doors - Shaker or 6 panel?

last month

I need to replace all the interior doors in the house I just bought, and am wondering whether Shaker is considered a more modern look than 6 panel. I like both, so may as well go with whatever is considered more current. Any advice?

Featured Answer

PRO

BeverlyFLADeziner

last month

last modified: last month

Replacing doors is an expensive project. Why do you think your doors need to be replaced?

You have an eclectic style that leans traditional.

NO SHAKER DOORS with that house.

So the house is a mix of a couple of styles but primarily Country French and Federalist/Georgian.

Shaker would be used of this was leaning toward an Amish Farmhouse. Your home is more formal than that. Here are doors you can consider for the house. 6 Panel would only be used if the house were Colonial which it isn't

2 Panel Raised

1 panel

If you're going to do Country French you might want this.

This arched 2 panel if you want to do French but not so much country.

If you plan on spending $$$ for solid core doors you might want to consider something like these below.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (16)

Amy A
last month
Definitely shaker! More modern!
paltmaie thanked Amy A
arcy_gw
last month
A few years ago now my MIL built a custom home. She put raised 6 panel SOLID doors in all the rooms. I was really surprised at how 'closed' in the halls felt. 6 panel doors add a lot of visual weight. I would agree simpler, shaker style is more modern less formal and fussy.
paltmaie thanked arcy_gw
Related Discussions
How to Paint interior doors with 6 panels
Q
Comments (3)
A good painter will just use a brush for all areas...for a PANELED door anyway. I'd rather have slight brushstrokes than light "roller-stipple"! Depending on actual paint used, I'd strongly consider XIM's Latex X-tender. This ISN'T a thinner...it just relaxes the paints binder so it doesn't set-up so fast. This gives more brushing/leveling time. AFTER DOOR IS SANDED/PREPPED... * Using the best brush you can, paint the indented panels first. I'd grab an ANGLED 2.5" brush, maybe a 3". * Using brush, push paint into the corners, then pull paint out of corners into the field. Use smooth flowing strokes. Don't "dust" with the brush. Pretend you're combing long hair! * Now, paint the 4 short horizontals between the indents. feather-edge the paint about a 1/4" into the other stiles. * Center verical is next. Loooongg flowing strokes here. End your feather-edge 1/4" into the top/bottom horizontal stiles. * Now paint the top/bottom stile, ending your feather-edge 1/4" into the long side verticals. Here, you'll be painting across the bottom 2 panels, & across the top of the upper 2 panels. * The long vertical stiles at the edges are next. Complete top-to-bottom strokes here! Bottom-line: Use the best paint, prep= a light scuff-sand, and brush you can get. Avoid Floetrol if ya can. XIM is better. Rehearse your strokes/pattern. Try for the minimum stroking possible. Faron
...See More
Shaker Cabinets & other interior doors in kitchen
Q
Comments (4)
we installed white shaker cabs in the kitchen reno. I replaced the pantry door with a similar shaker style glass door but didn't replace the door to the mudroom. if we did that, we'd have to replace all the doors in the house (6 panel), and our overall house isn't craftsman or shaker style, so the doors would have looked a little out of place outside of the kitchen.
...See More
Masonite Textured 6-Panel Hollow Core Interior Door
Q
Comments (8)
Masonite/Supadoor would be fine in my opinion. You may look at a Trustile MDF door as well as a real stile and rail door will be more stable than a drop routed door (one piece of MDF that is carved). And please do your self the favor of upgrading the butt hinges. The standard off the shelf prehung door hinges are a cheap pot metal type hinge with a crappy brass plated finish. Also and this is my opinion but find a lumberyard or real building material supply house and not a box store for any millwork. This post was edited by millworkman on Sat, Jan 31, 15 at 8:42
...See More
Masonite Textured 6-Panel Hollow Core Interior Door
Q
Comments (2)
Hi LittleAcorn. You might get lucky and someone will have such a door installed, and they might see your question, but that is a long shot. May I suggest that you cross post this to the Building A Home Forum, just a bit sooner in the forum list. I put the link to it beneath this post. Ask your question there, and those folks may stand a better chance of having personal knowledge of the product you name. Good luck. Come back any time, Here is a link that might be useful: Building a home forum
...See More
paltmaie
Original Author
last month
Thank you both! That's very helpful!
kandrewspa
last month
But I think it also depends on the style of the house and how you have decorated it. If you post some pictures of your exterior and some interior rooms you might get better advice.
paltmaie thanked kandrewspa
paltmaie
Original Author
last month
last modified: last month
I haven't moved in yet - the sellers only vacate on May 31! We just signed up a contractor, and as soon as I get to VA from CA I need to start purchasing all the materials, so I'm in the process of firming up exactly what will be needed.

Here's an exterior photo. We purchased before the house was listed, so the sellers never bothered with interior photos.
kandrewspa
last month
And what is your decorating style?
paltmaie
Original Author
last month
Transitional. This is my LR that will move over
paltmaie
Original Author
last month
last modified: last month
My LR in CA, that is
paltmaie
Original Author
last month
Thanks for the great options! I haven't seen some of them before. I'll go back and rethink
paltmaie
Original Author
last month
@BeverlyFLADeziner The doors and trim are in poor condition. They haven't been well cared for, and are very beat up. Of course, the home price reflected the condition when I bought it, but there's a lot that needs doing to bring it up to proper condition.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last month
I adjusted your drapes, and the position of the painting, added a tree & replaced the rug.
paltmaie thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
RedRyder
last month
The arched “French” style would look beautiful. It will be fun to see the inside when you finally get to your new home. From the outside, it has a French Country feel. Congratulations on your new home!
paltmaie thanked RedRyder
paltmaie
Original Author
last month
last modified: last month
Wow Beverly what interesting ideas! I shall keep that in mind when I arrange my stuff in VA.
paltmaie
Original Author
last month
Thanks, Red! The sellers had a 3 month rent back that ends next week and it feels like it's been forever since I last saw the house!
RedRyder
last month
I understand! I gave our sellers 90 days because we bought their horse farm and they had to re-home 35 horses! I was so impatient to get into “my” new house. I’m with you….. 😩

Related Stories

DOORS Know Your House: Interior Door Parts and Styles

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Learn all the possibilities for your doors, and you may never default to the standard six-panel again

KITCHEN CABINETS Top 6 Hardware Styles for Raised-Panel Kitchen Cabinets

By KitchenLab Interiors

Whether you're going for a furniture feel or industrial contrast in your kitchen, these pulls and knobs will put you on the right track

GREAT HOME PROJECTS Upgrade Your House With New Interior Doors

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

New project for a new year: Enhance your home's architecture with new interior doors you'll love to live with every day

MOST POPULAR 11 Reasons to Paint Your Interior Doors Black

Brush on some ebony paint and turn a dull doorway into a model of drop-dead sophistication

KITCHEN CABINETS 6 Hardware Styles to Pair With Deep-Blue Shaker Cabinets

By Becky Harris

Have you settled on your kitchen cabinets but haven’t decided on knobs and pulls yet? Consider these gorgeous options

DECORATING GUIDES 6 Focal Points to Build a Beautiful Interior Around

By Elements of Style

Not sure what element to make the attention getter in your room? Find some great choices here

REMODELING GUIDES Houzz Planning: How to Choose an Interior Door

By Vanessa Brunner

Follow these pointers to choose the interior door that's right for you and your home

REMODELING GUIDES Heighten a Room With Vertical Tongue and Groove Wall Paneling

By Rachel Grace

Visually increase space while upping architectural interest by giving your walls this texturally rich treatment

PAINTING Knotty to Nice: Painted Wood Paneling Lightens a Room's Look

By No. 29 Design

Children ran from the scary dark walls in this spare room, but white paint and new flooring put fears and style travesties to rest

TRIM Interior Trim: 8 Must-Know Elements

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Softening transitions and creating a finished look, interior trim for walls, windows and doors comes in many more options than you may know

Sponsored

46 Reviews

Loudoun County's Top Kitchen & Bath Designer I Best of Houzz 2014-2022

More Discussions

Kitchen backsplash help!!

5

Quartzite kitchen countertop Taj Mahal, Perla Venta or Cristallo? Sink

5

Is the cost of our renovation reasonable?

34

Design help: Kitchen / pantry / floor plan feedback?

22

Bonus Room Ideas

9