Let’s Talk About My Black Pantry Doors

Of all the decor choices I made in our North Carolina rental home, I receive the most comments and questions about our black pantry doors. Time and again, friends and neighbors would ask: “What made you paint them black?” “What paint did you use?” “Did it make a mess?” “Were you scared to do it?” And most of all: “How on earth are you going to un-do that!?!?” I would have never guessed that some simple black paint on our pantry doors would prove so noteworthy. So let’s chat about why I did it, why I loved it, and yes…how I ultimately painted the doors back to white!

Why I Painted Our Pantry Doors Black

When I was neck deep in making over our rental kitchen, the wall color was particularly bothersome to me. The basic “white” paint used across the entire house had creamy yellow undertones; and when I say “across the entire house,” I mean it. It was used on the walls, ceilings, doors, trim…everything.

In my quest to brighten the kitchen and downplay all the warmth, I painted the walls bright white (Benjamin Moore Simply White). But this left a lot of dull-looking trim and doors, so I had no choice but to paint them all white as well (as the saying goes: when you give a mouse a cookie”).

While I loved the freshness of this subtle color swap, when I got to the pantry doors, the entire wall was feeling…well…really white; and I just couldn’t bring myself to keep going.

On a total whim (and I mean whim…it was 9:00 at night and I just went for it!), I grabbed some leftover black paint from our son’s bed makeover to do a little “test.” I loved it from moment one; and within the hour, the doors were completely black.

Why the Black Pantry Doors Work

When it comes to decor, curtains, baskets, bedding, and even furniture, bright white is almost always my first pick. So painting such a prominent feature ink black is not a “typical” move for me. But I really couldn’t love this choice more. Here is why I think black pantry doors work so well in this kitchen.

Focal Point

Without a doubt, the black pantry doors provide a contrasting focal point within the otherwise neutral kitchen space, especially on that solid wall. Sure, the oak cabinets provide a a dose of color on the opposite side of the kitchen. But because they are so prominent, they read more as a wall color.

Alternatively, the black doors are the only dose of truly saturated color, allowing them to function similar to a feature wall, statement piece of furniture, or accent piece.

Connection

Secondly, the black pantry doors provide visual connection to other elements throughout the kitchen, as well as the neighboring dining room and powder room. The “grout” lines of the subway tiles, bar stools, light fixtures, bath mat, dining room mirror (and more!) are all black. But these elements all come together and feel much more intentional and harmonious thanks to the black doors.

Surprise Element

Most interior designers recommend having some sort of visual “surprise” in every space. Whether it’s a different pattern, quirky piece of art, or wacky accessory, this “surprise” element can often be the one thing that makes a space feel complete.

These black pantry doors work in that same way. In such a white, bright, fairly traditional kitchen, these black doors are a surprising choice, making them juuuuust right, too.

FAQ About Black Pantry Doors (or Other Interior Doors)

What Is the Best Black Paint for Interior Doors?

When it comes to paint choice, do as I say (and not as I did)!

Again, this was a spir-of-the-moment decision; so I grabbed what I had, which was an off-the-shelf high gloss black paint (emphasis on high gloss).

Admittedly, as much as I loved the black contrast, I did not love the high gloss finish of this particular paint. My doors leaned a bit “tacky 80’s” rather than “chic and modern” (especially thanks to the brass door knobs).

Instead, I would recommend the same paint I used on my dining room chairs. The coverage, smooth finish, and durability have been top notch; and the satin finish really is quite sophisticated and lovely.

Did You Paint the Inside of the Doors?

Yes, I did. And you should too. Doors open and close, and are therefor seen from both sides. Plan to paint both sides, as well as all the edges (tops, bottoms, sides).

Should You Paint the Door Trim Too?

I really went back and forth on the trim color. After looking at lots of inspiration photos, I decided to keep the trim white and just paint the doors black. I liked keeping all the trim color consistent throughout the house; plus, just having to paint back the doors would be easier when it was time to move out.

I’m not sure there is a right/wrong answer here. I suggest starting with the doors. If the trim feels like it needs to be included, then paint it to match.

Do All Interior Doors Need to Match?

In general, I love the look of painted panel doors, especially in light/white rooms. I think they can be a really fun way to infuse some color without painting an entire room. If we had been in this house longer-term, there were definitely some doors in other rooms that I would have painted too.

But if you paint a set of doors black (e.g., the pantry doors), don’t necessarily feel compelled to paint all interior doors black…in that same room or across the entire house. When done intentionally (like on the pantry), the painted door(s) serve as a focal point rather than a whole-house design decision.

Did the Black Paint Chip?

While scuffs and smudges were not an issue, the paint did chip on the sides of the door. These are high-use doors and I did zero prep besides slap on whatever paint I had. The chipping was actually quite minimal; but because of the high contrast between the black paint and the white underneath, the chips were pretty visible.

If you paint a frequently-used door a darker color, I recommend keeping some touch up paint (or at least a black Sharpie!) on hand.

How to Paint Over Black Pantry Doors?

I am really, really surprised how many people questioned my ability to return these doors to white. Friends – it’s just paint, even though it’s black. And with the help of really good primer and really good trim/door paint, you can cover pretty much anything.

I recently discovered Sherwin Williams’ All-Purpose Power Primer, and it’s easily the best primer I’ve ever (ever!) used.

Although I likely could have gotten away with a single coat, I opted to apply two coats of primer followed by a single coat of my favorite Door & Trim paint.

The doors ended up back to sparkling white, and you’d never know deep, dark black was underneath!

So…Should You Paint Your Pantry Doors Black?

Never in a million years would I have expected to paint our pantry doors solid black. But again, it was a total whim decision that really paid off.

If you’re feeling inspired or intrigued to try black interior doors too, here are a few things to consider:

• Are your doors already painted? If so, give it a try! Paint over paint is a really low-commitment experiment. If it proves too much for you, you can always paint over it (just make sure you know your original door color).
• If your doors are stained wood (rather than painted), you need to consider this decision much more carefully, as stripping black paint will be an entirely different situation (not one I recommend).
• Love the idea of black doors but cannot paint? Try wrapping the doors with solid peel and stick wallpaper instead (be advised though, this particular product left a lot of residue after removal).

So what say you on the black pantry doors? “Yay” or “Nay” in my kitchen? And are you “Totally inspired to give it a try” or “No way, Jose!”???