How to Do a Hacienda-Style Front Door Makeover, Step by Step
In this tutorial, I will guide you through my front door makeover. My DIY front door makeover turned into a beautiful rustic Spanish-style vision.
We removed our old doors and stained the new doors with a rich dark walnut finish, installed new hardware, and added decorative hinge straps and nail heads for instant character and a charming upgrade.
Tools and materials
- Solid mahogany wood doors (mine are from Simpson Door Company, the Nantucket design)
- Dark walnut wood stain
- Staining brushes or cloths
- Sandpaper (medium and fine grit)
- Hardware kit (mine are Emtek from Amazon)
- Decorative hinge straps (mine are from Amazon)
- Decorative nail heads (also from Amazon)
- Screwdriver
- Hammer
- Drop cloths or plastic sheets
- Rags or paper towels
- Painter's tape (if needed)
1. Stain the new doors
Place the new solid mahogany doors on a stable surface covered with drop cloths or plastic sheets to protect the area from staining.
Sand
Prep the doors and sand out rough spots with medium-grit sandpaper.
Stain
Follow the stain directions on the label and apply a generous coat of stain to the entire surface of the doors. Make sure to follow the wood grain for a natural look.
Let the stain sit for the recommended time specified on the stain container (usually around 5 to 15 minutes) to achieve the desired depth of color.
Wipe off excess stain with a clean cloth or paper towel. Allow the doors to dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Installing the hardware
Follow the instructions provided in the hardware kit to install the new handles, knobs, and locks on the doors. Use a screwdriver and follow the measurements carefully for proper alignment.
3. Adding decorative hinge straps and decorative nails
Place the decorative hinge straps onto the door in your desired positions. These straps are typically screwed into place. Use a screwdriver to secure them firmly.
Position the decorative nails around the door's edges to create an authentic rustic appearance. Once you're satisfied with the arrangement, use a hammer to gently tap them in. Be careful not to dent or damage the door’s surface.
Front door makeover
I love our new rustic wood front doors. The combination of solid mahogany, dark walnut stain, new hardware, decorative hinge straps, and nail heads added instant character and charm to our home's entrance.
Share with us your front door makeover ideas–before and after images, too!
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Comments
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Great job! Where did you get the door hardware and decorative nails?
Frequently asked questions
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