One of the changes I most looked forward to during our house remodel was replacing our exterior doors with Dutch doors. From the start I knew I wanted two — one at the front and one at the side leading to the kitchen. Some people call them “friendly doors,” which feels fitting. They’ve always appealed to me; I had a Dutch front door in a previous home and we had one in the laundry room when I was growing up. Those familiar touches make a house feel like home.
I wasn’t thrilled with the old kitchen door: the bars felt confining and the glass was actually plastic. The new wood Dutch doors are a huge improvement — they’re charming, practical, and give a cottage or farmhouse-inspired house a welcoming look.
Dutch Door Dreams
Wood Dutch doors combine warmth and function. We open ours daily to let fresh air flow through the house. In summer, opening the top half in the morning or evening creates lovely cross-breezes while keeping the dogs safely inside. Deliveries are easier too — we can open the top to receive packages without worrying about pets bolting or startling the delivery person.
Bugs & Dutch Doors?
Many readers in bug-heavy regions have asked whether leaving a door open invites pests. We live in Seattle, where insects are rarely a major issue, so open doors are a joy rather than a nuisance. That said, a Dutch door can work well in bug-prone areas too. A retractable screen or a well-chosen screen door provides protection while allowing you to enjoy the top half open. Talk to a local door store or contractor about screen options that integrate with a Dutch door design.
Where can you get a Dutch Door?
The most common question I get is where we found our doors. We wanted chunky, solid wood doors with nine divided-light windows. After searching, we discovered exactly what we wanted at a local door store. Our doors feature the classic “X” lower panel and nine small windows — a perfect fit for our style.
Ours came from Frank Lumber / The Door Store in Seattle. If you don’t have a local specialist, door and window companies, home improvement stores, or local contractors can suggest suppliers. Many companies also sell Dutch doors online and offer customization.
Customizing the Dutch Door
Our doors were custom made. It took a couple of weeks to build and another week for painting. Many door shops keep sample doors in stock but will build or modify doors to your specifications. You can choose size, panel style, glass type, hinge orientation, and other options. We chose clear glass to maximize natural light and maintain a view to the outside.
Details on our Dutch Doors
Both doors are installed under porch cover, so they stay relatively dry. If your door will be exposed to weather, consult a contractor or door professional about appropriate materials and finishes for your climate. Our doors are solid wood — either fir or hemlock — and came pre-hung with weatherstripping for a durable, finished installation.
Paint & Colors
We had the doors professionally painted before installation. Having them finished at the shop was convenient during a cold remodel season and ensured a high-quality paint application. The shop color-matched our selected shades from swatches. Both doors are painted the same color on each side, though you can opt for different colors inside and out if you prefer.
For the kitchen door we chose a deep navy to contrast the white kitchen; for the front door we selected a neutral light-to-medium gray to brighten the narrow entry without creating a heavy focal point. Specific paint colors are listed below.
Our contractor handled the installation, which made the process seamless. For hardware, we used quality pieces selected to match the doors’ style.
Our new Dutch doors have completely changed the feel of our home. We love them.
PAINT COLORS:
Front gray door: Ozark Shadows by Benjamin Moore
Side navy door: Blue Note by Benjamin Moore
DUTCH DOOR SOURCE:
Frank Lumber / The Door Store in Seattle
DUTCH DOOR HARDWARE:
Dutch door doorknob: Baldwin
Dutch door latch: Deltana
Related Posts:
Kitchen Remodel Details
See all the paint colors in my home HERE.
Dreaming of a Dutch Door (inspiration and planning)
Signature Style: My Dutch Door Plans
Our Entry Hallway Makeover (progress)