A doorway without a door allows you to visually expand the space, adjust its visual sensitivity, combine several rooms into a single zone, and give the interior lightness and freedom with conventionally defined boundaries. To make such an opening look complete, it will require finishing with various materials. How to decorate an open doorway - read our article with photo examples.
Materials
“In large rooms, the decor of a doorway in the form of an arched arc lying on pilasters attached to the sides of the entrance will look great.”
What is the main thing in modern doorway decor? Get away from the “door-frame” stereotype. It remains only to figure out how best to do this.
Plastic panels This material can be an excellent finish for a doorway if it imitates a wooden structure. The main thing is to choose it exactly in the color of the door leaf. This solution will look quite stylish. Strict lines will contrast with the decoration of the walls, and you will get the impression that the ceiling in the room has become slightly higher and the doorway slightly wider. If you look at panel finishing from a practical point of view, there will be solid advantages here too. There are absolutely no traces of touch left on the surface of the material. The process of decorating a doorway with panels is also simple. To do this, you need to clean the surface of the wall and use liquid nails.
Wood-look plastic panels in doorway trim
Decorative stone This material is considered one of the most successful for finishing an area such as a doorway. The pleasure, of course, is not cheap, and in terms of work it is labor-intensive, but the result is worth it, because stone is not only durable, practical and durable, but also incredibly beautiful. Small stones are usually selected for finishing work. Stone edging around the perimeter of the door opening can be laid smoothly by cutting off excess parts of the elements and laying them out along the outlined lines, but designers like a more original option with “ragged” edges. In this option, the stone is not processed additionally, but is laid in random order. The color scheme of the decoration is matched to the general background of the room. The pebbles are attached using regular tile adhesive, but to ensure that there are no problems with the masonry and that individual components do not fall out of it, attention must be paid to preparing the surface to be finished. It is thoroughly cleaned of dirt and treated several times with a special composition of primer.
Decorating a doorway with artificial stone
Polyurethane stucco The location of the doors will tell you how to properly decorate a doorway with polyurethane stucco. This type of finish is very similar to gypsum analogues, however, only in appearance. In terms of weight, polyurethane is much lighter, so it sticks to any surface without any problems. When working with such a finish, you need to pay attention to its relief and here’s why. Provided that the doors to be finished are located in a small hallway or narrow corridor, it is necessary to select flatter parts for their design. In this case, the space will not be overloaded, and you will not cling to protruding parts when entering or exiting through the opening.
Laconic stucco elements for finishing narrow doorways
In large rooms, the decor of the doorway in the form of an arched arc lying on pilasters attached to the sides of the entrance will look great. Designers like to work with polyurethane elements because they initially have a snow-white color and can easily be given any desired shade.
Opening decor in the form of an arched arc
Clinker Another finishing material for a doorway is clinker. “Brick” tiles have appeared in the arsenal of designers a long time ago. It was used to decorate cottage facades. Today, clinker is increasingly appearing in interior decoration. They lay out the areas of doors and windows. How to decorate a doorway with clinker? It is best to follow the principle of masonry, that is, “in a running start.” This solution looks impressive and does not require clear drawing of lines, which means that the work can be done independently, without involving professionals and without incurring extra costs.
Clinker in the design of a doorway
Textiles This material best hides minor imperfections in the design of door openings and gives it a stylish look. The doorway can be hidden:
1. Behind curtains and curtains.
Their length will depend on the decor style of the room. Classic window options with side hangers are perfect for these purposes. In the decoration of the doorway, curtains can be used not only with textile textures, but also with items made of beads, wood, clay, shells, dried fruits, bamboo, and candies. In general, you can create them from any available materials and the more unusual they are, the better the result will be.
Textile decoration of the doorway
2. Behind the lambrequins.
They also give an opening without a door an original look and simply complement the curtains perfectly.
Lambrequins give an opening without a door an original look
3. Behind the blinds.
Their appearance in the doorway has not only a decorative purpose. Blinds are often involved in the zoning process, entrusting them with the mission of delimiting space. Curtains of this type are easy to manage. They lower and open at the right moment without any problems. This method of decorating a doorway using blinds can be interpreted not as space decor, but as an interior partition. This solution will be successful both in homes and in the office. The blinds themselves can be veneered, sliding, mobile, or glass. Japanese-style rope blinds add special chic to the decor.
Textile blinds in the decor of a doorway
Design methods
To choose the right solution for a doorway, first think about its shape. The front door is traditionally associated with a rectangle. In the absence of doors, interior rooms are given shaped configurations.
Classic
Classic style technology allows you to refine the passage between rooms without affecting its shape. A traditional rectangle, with or without a sash, is lined with platbands. Extensions are used to finish wide slopes. You can glue a decorative corner as platbands. The stained glass windows above the doorway, made from multi-colored glass inserts, look beautiful.
Arch
The arched shape is considered the most popular way to decorate an opening without a sash. Its advantage lies in smoothing out sharp corners. Smooth transitions of the upper part of the door structure allow you to play with your imagination. In low rooms, the arch visually makes the ceiling higher, and in high rooms - lower. The effect is achieved due to the size of the structure. The more the arch expands, the lower the ceiling appears.
The wood frame of the arched doorway between the rooms looks rich. In a budget option, you can use plastic or MDF. Arches usually separate a hall from a kitchen or hallway, and are also used when combining an insulated loggia with a living room.
Trapezoid
Not a very popular form for decorating a passage in a partition, especially in a small apartment. Sharp corners will make the room uncomfortable. The trapezoid is suitable for a wide doorway in a large apartment, and the best cladding option is materials of light and warm shades. In a house with low ceilings, it is undesirable to make the upper part of the trapezoid narrow. A small jumper will visually lower the ceiling, make the room smaller and give the interior a heavy look.
Asymmetrical shape
To achieve a modern interior, room design is often associated with the idea of arranging an asymmetrical opening on the interior partition. Construction stores offer ready-made kits. When implementing your idea, a fancy shape is created with a galvanized profile and covered with plasterboard on top.
An asymmetrical configuration involves the formation of smooth transitions in different parts of the structure. It is better to avoid sharp corners. Finishing is usually done by painting or wallpapering.
Decoration with curtains
Free passage between rooms without a door is decorated with a screen or curtains. This is the most affordable way to decorate. Fabric curtains look cozy. Thread curtains create an unusual interior. In the “eco” style, the room is decorated with bamboo curtains.
Doorway decor: design ideas
Standard design The method of finishing an opening with the letter “P” remains simple, unpretentious, but at the same time laconic and elegant. In this case, the door leaf is removed, the frame is removed, and the resulting space is decorated using any of the above methods:
1. Clinker. 2. Polyurethane stucco. 3. Stone. 4. Plastic panels.
Finishing the opening with the letter “P”
Arched design If you look at it from a design point of view, an arched doorway looks the most impressive. Such solutions are very successful when organizing passages in narrow corridors and tiny hallways. With their help, it is possible to correct the spatial perception of these rooms and make the atmosphere in them more airy.
Arched design is ideal for narrow openings
The main thing is to decide exactly how to design the arched arc of the doorway.
Designers advise: – For rooms with low ceiling heights, use arches with a corner radius larger than half the width of the opening being designed. In this case, the arc will turn out to be gentle, and the formed passage will appear wider, which in combination will slightly visually lift the overhanging ceiling.
Gentle arched design for rooms with low ceilings
– In the version with a classic arch, maintain the radius of the arc in a size directly proportional to half of the opening. Arches of this type traditionally decorate rooms with high ceiling heights.
Arched opening for spacious rooms
– Do not get hung up on standard visions of arched structures and decorate the doorway with arches not only of straight, classic and round shapes, but also in the form of an ellipse, trapezoid or, in general, asymmetry shifted to one side.
Arched doorway of original shape
You can select arches for the interior according to stylistic characteristics and decorate them in accordance with the traditions of the direction. Thus, arches in Art Nouveau are distinguished by an arc with a rise. In the classics, the arched arc has the correct radius. In romanticism, the place above the opening bears little resemblance to an arc. Only the corners of the transition to the transverse supports are rounded here. An ellipsoidal arc and other extraordinary solutions are the prerogative of modern minimalist interiors.
Doorway in oriental style
Advantages and disadvantages of open passage
An open opening between adjacent rooms has many advantages:
- Possibility of connecting two rooms into one spacious and integral area. This idea is good, for example, for the kitchen and dining room, library and living room.
- Bringing originality into the interior. The design options for an open doorway are very diverse due to the possibility of using unusual finishing materials.
- Possibility of obtaining original results for a small amount. With a creative approach, decorate it beautifully and unusually.
- A convenient option for small studio apartments. In such spaces, an open opening will save useful living space.
However, maintaining an open passage between rooms also results in a number of disadvantages:
- There is no clear demarcation of space. The impression remains that neighboring rooms are just parts, zones of common space. This is appropriate between the dining room and kitchen, bedroom and dressing room. But it is inappropriate in the case of the kitchen and bedroom, bathroom and corridor.
- Impossibility of arrangement between any premises. For example, an open doorway is completely unsuitable for a restroom.
- Lack of privacy. Open openings are good for houses where 1-2 people live. But they are not suitable for apartments where large families live.
How to decorate a doorway as an accent option
“Choose stucco molding of such a shape that the decor of the doorway, echoing the overall decor, at the same time fascinates with its beauty”
Since we have already taken up the issue of decorating doorways, we need to consider ideas that can turn a banal arch into the center of an interior composition. And this is quite logical. Openings in this form are most often arranged solely for the purpose of diverting attention from the unprepossessing appearance of the premises in which they are located. This is a delicate matter, full of cunning tricks, however, knowing the nuances, you can easily cope with the task.
Accent doorway option
The easiest way to achieve the desired result is to use stucco in decoration. Attaching polyurethane elements is not difficult. Liquid nails and any other special glue can serve as fasteners. Look for quality material. Choose stucco molding of such a shape that the decor of the doorway, echoing the overall decor, will at the same time fascinate with its beauty.
Stucco as an accent in the design of a doorway
If possible, be sure to use moldings to decorate doors. These overlay panels can be easily selected in color and configuration. In addition to them, you can use sandriks. They will be simply indispensable in attracting attention to the arched structure. They are something like a pediment, only slightly raised at the top. The appearance of imitations of columns at the entrance is also considered common practice.
Columns in the design of doorways
What else will be perceived as original in the decoration of the entrance to a room with a missing door leaf is a mosaic. This decor looks really stylish, and besides, the solution is not hackneyed and has a claim to uniqueness, because it allows you to decorate the surface in a version developed by you, impressive with the beauty of the design, and not in the standard vision.
Finishing a doorway with mosaics
How to decorate an empty doorway so that it attracts with its unusualness? Try solid wood panels. When creating an arched arc, they can be laid out not only in a horizontal plane, but also mounted vertically. This also gives a certain scope for imagination. You can play with the tonal tints of the material or the difference in its sizes. Precious species in the decoration of the arch will bring chic to the entire setting.
The doorway is decorated with solid wood
In the apartments of the old building there is not much room to roam. The problem of saving space is acute here. Arch can also be involved in solving it. Line its opening with facing tiles and the volume of the room will optically increase. Such decor will look impressive at the entrance to the kitchen or bathroom. You can choose beautiful tiles in original color and texture designs at any specialized retail outlet.
Spectacular doorway decor using tiles
How to hide a doorway Sometimes there are situations when the decor of a doorway needs to be made as inconspicuous as possible, that is, to actually veil the entrance to the room, making it part of a single interior. Sometimes achieving the effect can be quite difficult, because “anti-decor” also has a lot of wisdom. We will try to get to know some of them now.
Hidden doorway in a children's room
Drywall will help make the doorway unnoticeable. The space must be decorated in such a way that it does not stand out or protrude against the background of the walls. In this case, there will be nothing for the eye to cling to. It would be better to hang curtains of an original solution above the entrance. It would be good if, in addition to a beautiful design, they had some kind of fasteners. The latter will be confusing and an ignorant person will never think that behind such decoration there is a banal doorway.
The curtain hides the doorway
The wicker frame distracts attention well. It must be done in a lambrequin format. It is best to choose thick threads as consumables.
Varieties
Open door portals can have a classic rectangular shape, differing little from the usual door design, or they can be made in the form of arches of various shapes and sizes.
The shape of the arched opening can be:
- Roman (romantic) with a vault in the shape of a half circle, the diameter equal to the width of the opening;
- Turkish is characterized by the oriental design of the vault in the form of a dome;
- The British one is considered a smaller version of the Roman arched doorway, since the vault is made in the form of a truncated circle;
- The ellipsoidal one is considered a more elongated analogue of the romantic arched opening;
- The Slavic opening is distinguished by smooth rounded corners of the classic rectangular shape of the passage;
- Gothic is distinguished by a pointed form of the vault, the upper edges of which extend to a single point;
- The Thai opening has the shape of an arch cut in half, one of the halves of which was replaced by a wall;
- The transom has a blind arch, decorated with stained glass, relief, frosted, mirror glass or other light-transmitting material.
There are also arched openings of unusual patterned shapes and completely round portals.
Photo gallery - doorway decor
Why do we need standards?
Indeed, who needs standard sizes of doorways, wouldn’t it be easier to arrange a doorway, the size of which will be exclusive and made specifically to your taste.
The trick is that the standard size is more of a recommendation than a mandatory parameter, but believe me, it’s worth listening to these recommendations and there are several reasons for this:
- Large selection of standard models. Absolutely all manufacturers make the bulk of their goods according to one or another fixed dimensions. Consequently, you will not have problems with the choice if the size of the doorway is adjusted to some traditional standard;
- An equally important reason is budget savings. Of course, in any decent workshop they will make you a beautiful door according to individual sizes, but it will cost at least a third more than the serial version, plus keep in mind that sooner or later the doors will have to be changed and you will again have to pay extra money;
- And finally, any master will confirm to you that it is much easier to work with fixed dimensions, because all the extensions, platbands and other accessories for the door are “tailored” to fit standard doorways.
Fake diamond
The use of artificial stone is a good solution that helps create a modern and stylish design. Compared to similar products, this option is more preferable. This is explained by the fact that it is available in a wide range of decorative designs. Let's say clinker tiles can be used, including for cladding these structures, but their choice is limited.
The use of decorative stone has a number of advantages. Here are the key advantages of the material:
- excellent appearance, giving the interior solidity;
- possibility of combination with other finishing materials;
- ability to withstand any mechanical stress;
- long service life. Artificial stone is durable, and therefore can retain all its characteristics for decades.
For finishing, you need to choose an artificial stone that is small in size and has a relief surface. Deeper textures will look somewhat cumbersome. Cladding is carried out using various technologies. Most often, installation is done in a way that allows you to arrange uneven edges. Today, special elements have been developed that are able to cope with the function of the corner pad. They are very convenient and allow you to do without trimming.
How to decorate a front door doorway using decorative stone? The algorithm of actions is as follows:
After the areas where the artificial stone will be glued have been selected, markings are carried out. To eliminate errors as much as possible, it is better to lay out all the necessary stones on the floor in a given order in advance. Treat the walls with a deep-penetrating primer. This promotes better adhesion of materials. Allow the areas to dry thoroughly. For fixation, use special tile adhesive or liquid nails. The latter option is suitable for cases where the surface is perfectly flat. The composition is applied to the back side of the elements. Any excess must be removed. The stone is laid in ways that make it possible to form a seam or make do with a monolithic surface devoid of joints. The parts are placed in their places and pressed
It is important to ensure good grip. If joints appear, they must be rubbed. The color of the mixture should be monochromatic or contrasting.
Surface preparation
Aligning door slopes using a clamp
Before finishing a doorway without a door, the slopes should be cleaned of old finishing materials, crumbling plaster and dust. Large cracks are pre-primed, and to increase adhesion, they are reinforced with a plaster mesh and covered with a layer of mortar (regular cement-sand mortar can be used). All excess protrusions are pre-knocked down.
When finishing with soft polyurethane stucco or gluing gypsum stucco, the surface should be leveled with plasterboard or plastered, and after drying, sanded with sandpaper. Such preparation is not required when installing drywall or wood panels - you just need to knock down loose pieces of plaster and large irregularities.
To get rid of dust, while cleaning the surface, periodically spray the surface of the doorway with a spray bottle.
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Preparation for finishing work
Any type of finishing involves a preparatory process. In this case, you should understand that simply dismantling the door is not enough. Even if in the future you plan to use wooden elements for decoration, in most cases the lutka must be dismantled. Especially if it is made not of natural wood, but of MDF, which may not withstand loads. You may want to widen the opening. Plus, noticeable marks from the door hinges will remain and the screws with which the door is attached to the mortgages will be visible. If the shape and width suit you, in this case you can install finishing materials of a similar type on top of the loot. In other cases you need:
- Carefully remove the door and door frame;
- Give the opening the desired width. Depending on the wall material, you will have to use different power tools. Starting from a grinder, which can be used to cut through plaster walls, and ending with a hammer drill. At the same time, remember that whether it is an opening in a load-bearing wall or in a wall that acts as a diaphragm, it will always bear a load. Very often, doorways act as a strength element. In the corners or above the opening you can find wooden beams or iron corners. You cannot extract such elements. And if this is a necessary measure, then the already finished opening should be re-strengthened. Under the load of heavy finishing materials, such as natural stone or clinker tiles, an unreinforced opening will shrink. Cracks may form on the walls;
- After strengthening the structure, it is necessary to prepare the external and internal surfaces for finishing. They may need to be leveled using putty. Especially if during the dismantling process using a tool, excess wall fragments broke off;
- After the putty has completely dried, you need to treat the surface with a primer. For heavy materials, processing is carried out twice;
- If a perfectly flat surface of the opening is required, imperfections in the finishing using the starting putty can be corrected with a layer of finishing putty, and then the dried surfaces can be re-primed.
Preparatory stage
Before installing the arch, it is necessary to prepare the walls in the openings. The optimal material for cosmetic finishing is gypsum plaster. For novice builders, it is recommended to install perforated corners. They will make it easier to level the opening.
During preparation, special attention is paid to installing the first corner. It must be perfectly aligned on all axes. Otherwise, the entire portal will be skewed after installation.
The distance between the corners is filled with special compounds. For such work, some builders use putty followed by painting. However, if you plan to install a portal in this place, then it is better to use special compounds.
Types of portals
It is believed that arches and portals are used only to frame the entrance to a house or an interior passage. However, you can often find an unusual use of such a design in the interior, for example, as a decoration for a fireplace.
Today, portals are classified according to their installation location:
- design for a doorway;
- frame for a window opening;
- product in the opening under the outer door;
- decorations for a fireplace or hearth (example in the photo).
To make such arches, the entire range of existing materials is used: from polymers to natural stone. The most popular portals are made of wood and plastic; recently, structures made of wood-based materials are often found. Among wooden arches, products made from pine and other conifers are more common: they are resistant to moisture and are cheaper than other materials.
