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Internal doors can have a surprisingly strong influence on how a home feels and functions. With so many styles, materials and finishes available, knowing where to start can be a challenge. Whether you’re aiming for a sleek, contemporary look or a more classic feel, the first step is to start considering the overall atmosphere you want to create. You’ll need to team aesthetics with functionality – fire ratings, light flow, opening style etc.
Your choice of material should also complement the broader design scheme of the space. Wood, for instance, remains a favourite for its timeless appeal and natural warmth, and is available in an array of styles to suit almost any interior. Minimal, clean-lined doors work beautifully in modern spaces, while panelled oak designs are a perfect fit for traditional settings. Glass doors can also look striking and bring a feeling of light and openness to a home.
With such a wide range of internal door designs to choose from, it is important to break down your options. So, here I’m exploring examples from leading UK manufacturers, showcasing a variety of styles to help guide your choice.
Your guide to internal door options
These single-glazed SF22 heritage sliding doors from IDSystems can be a stylish option for dividing open-plan living spaces. With 30mm horizontal bars across the glass, the system takes inspiration from the steel doors of the Art Deco era and offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional forged steel glazed screens.
Photo: IDSystems
Although open-plan living is often high on the wish list for homeowners, there can be a need to partition up the spaces; hence sliders have become a popular solution for self builds, extensions and home renovations.
Featuring a ladder-style panel with grooved detailing, the Tigris internal door design from JB Kind features a sleek laminate finish, shown here in a dark grey timber effect.
A semi-solid core construction ensures durability and good sound insulation for long-term use and comfort, as well as making it a more budget-friendly solution. Available in a uniform finish, this model is ideal for colour matching, which has become popular in home design.
Pocket doors combine space-saving functionality with style – allowing you a wide choice of door panels, which disappear seamlessly into the wall cavity when open. Used between living areas, such as a lounge or dining room, glazed versions create a striking visual connection while still providing the option for privacy. Double-door configurations are easily achieved by linking two single systems without the need for specialist kits.
This pocket system by Rocket Door Frames is suitable for three stud wall dimensions, enabling homeowners to pair them with a range of door designs. Even in solid wall applications, a false wall can be installed to accommodate the system without major structural changes. Prices correspond to the pocket system only (and do not include the door panel itself), starting from £390 + VAT with different finishes to choose from.
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This 1970s bungalow was transformed into a contemporary home with wood cladding throughout and needed the right internal doors to complement its new look.
Elizabeth Assaf, co-founder of Urban Front, was looking for full height doors with texture to add depth and character to her interior scheme – and the company’s Raw range in European oak fitted the bill perfectly.
Soundproofing was also high on her wish list and, with a 54mm panel thickness as well as drop-down seals, these doors significantly reduce noise in the house. Prices start from £5,500 + VAT per doorset.
In a pocket door, the leaf slides into the wall cavity, as illustrated here in the Eclisse classic single pocket door setup. As well as saving floor space, they are very effective in opening and closing off parts of the home that may require privacy without disrupting the flow of an open-plan layout.
In this case, the study is separated from the main living area using a discreet single pocket door system. Eclisse has three styles of pocket door solution. This includes the Classic collection, which requires finishing with architrave (from £249 +VAT for the single pocket door system), and the modern styled Syntesis Flush range – an architrave-free option, offering a minimalistic finish (from £395 +VAT).
These handmade extra-tall pantry doors from LochAnna’s Newbridge collection are crafted in a classic Shaker style – used here to disguise the entrance to a utility zone as well as reduce noise transfer.
As a key visual element, kitchen doors provide homeowners the opportunity to showcase creativity and can be specified separately from the other doors as they are a part of a distinct design scheme. LochAnna’s pantry doors are available in European white oak and smooth or woodgrain timber, with a wide choice of colours, storage options and frame styles for further personalisation. Kitchens start from £11,510.
Part of the wider renovation of a countryside home, this modern extension is connected to the original property via a frameless glass link for a light-touch architectural feel.
IQ Glass supplied frameless and slim framed glazing systems to allow sunshine to flow through the home and connect the interior to the surrounding landscape. Fabricated from toughened glass, the main access door features a matt black bar handle to add a contemporary touch to the characterful interior design.
Homeowners Pete and Sarah have transformed a neglected 1980s barn into a contemporary home, blending its original rural charm with an industrial aesthetic. The couple specified 14 sleek ultra-flush doors from Rocket Door Frames, which became an integral part of the interior scheme.
Building Regulations require any house with more than two storeys to include a fire-rated door between a habitable room and the stairwell. As this was the case for Pete and Sarah, they opted for a fire-rated ultra flush door leading into their garage from the open-plan layout of the main living space. Each door system undergoes rigorous, independent fire safety testing and is FD30 certified for 30-minute fire protection. They come with an intumescent kit, too, which fits into the frame rather than the door, saving time and cost.
Elizabeth Assaf is the co-founder of Urban Front, a UK-based door company specialising in the design and manufacture of contemporary, highly-secure interior and exterior doors in hardwoods, bronze, and steel.
The simple answer is yes. Start with those in your hallway – if you have quite a few doors in this area, it often makes sense to match them to either the front door, staircase or flooring. Different doors and finishes for specific areas of the house can work well – and don’t be afraid to be bold. If you’re keen to invest in high-spec internal doors but can’t afford them throughout your property, think about those that will be most visible to guests, such as in the living areas. Also consider matching your closet doors to the walls to help the internal doors stand out.
You can usually tell from the price if the ironmongery is good quality, and it’s worth spending a little more if your budget allows it. Your choice of material will impact the price, but premium options to look out for include solid bronze, brass or stainless steel. I would recommend looking at the fitting instructions, too, as the installation can elevate or downgrade your choice.
Prices will vary depending on the door’s material. Hardwood is a more expensive product than veneer, for example. I would suggest a minimum budget for a high-quality doorset of around £2,000 + VAT. Opting for fire-rated doors will add to the cost, but could be a worthwhile investment. Our internal doors, which can be pivot or hinge, are handcrafted from hardwood, and start at £5,000 + VAT.
Pocket doors are most appropriate when space is at a premium and you don’t want a door opening into the room. They usually work best in hallways and small rooms, such as ensuites, studies or utility rooms. As pocket doors slide rather than open, they can also make a useful and practical room divider in open-plan spaces.
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