Door renovation ideas: A DIY fabric makeover

“This makeover gives an average entryway a point of interest. Rather than paint the hollow-core door, I used it to showcase one of my favourite patterns!” says Natasha who warns that while this project is relatively simple you need to allow two days to complete it due to drying time.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED FOR THIS PROJECT:

• Felt-tip pen
• Drill or screwdriver
• Three lengths of 2.4m Porta 12 x 6mm half-round flybead moulding for the frame
• Mitre box with handsaw
• 180-grit abrasive paper with hand-sanding block
• Water-based enamel paint (about 1 litre)
• Mini roller and tray with two microfibre covers and one foam cover
• Fabric to fit the door (about 2040mm x 820mm)
• Ruler or tape measure
• Scissors
• Bondcrete adhesive 1-litre tub
• Masking tape
• Print roller or rolling pin
• Monocel 1-litre water-based clear varnish in satin
• 25mm x 1.6mm bullet head nails
• Hammer
• Utility knife
• Small paintbrush
• Lane Oxford Passage Leverset and two fixed-pin hinges in black

METHOD

1. Remove the door
To cover the front of your door, as I have, mark around the jamb before removing it so you can ensure the moulding is positioned to allow it to close.

Remove the handle and strike plate with a drill or screwdriver, then remove the door and the hinges, taking off on the bottom one first, so the door doesn’t fall on you!

2. Prepare the door and frame
To make the frame, position the moulding just inside the pen marks then cut and check one corner at a time using the mitre box and hand saw then sand smooth.

Lightly sand the door then apply two or three coats of specialty paint for doors and trim using a microfibre roller, making sure you can see the pen marks. Also paint the frame pieces.

3. Cut and glue the fabric
To show off the pattern I ran the flowers down the centre and positioned it so there was black around the handle.

Measure your fabric to fit just inside the pen lines of the door and cut with sharp scissors.

Tape the bottom half in position to work at the top, folding it back to apply a light, even coat of adhesive over the door using a mini foam roller.

Smooth down the fabric and push out any air bubbles with a print roller or rolling pin then repeat with the other half of the door and leave it to dry.

4. Seal the door
To seal and protect the fabric while creating a tactile surface, apply the first coat of the water-based varnish using a microfibre roller and leave to dry thoroughly.

Cut out the hole for the handle then apply the second coat, sealing around the edges to prevent fraying.

5. Attach the frame
Position the frame pieces, starting at the top and tapping in nails at least 50mm from the ends to avoid splitting, and about 300mm apart.

Trim any escaping frayed edges with a sharp utility knife then use a small paintbrush to hide the nail heads and touch up around the outside of the frame to cover the pen marks.

6. Hang the door
While there is clear access to the jamb, give it a quick coat of paint and leave to dry.

Use a timber off-cut to lift the door into position it, securing the top hinge to the jamb first.

Check the door closes without hitting the frame then install the new handle and strike to make an entrance!

You can check out Natasha’s step-by-step video of the DIY project below.

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