Door Trends to Influence Design in 2023

Access to outdoor spaces remains a priority – the positive impact of removing barriers between our indoor and outdoor spaces is undeniable. In fact, there has been a proliferation of scenic doors and larger expanses of glass, with door panel sizes increasing by 10% since 2017. These include bi-fold and multi-slide doors that often serve as movable walls of glass between the indoors and out, or from one room to the next.

Modern styles continue to be hugely popular. Fans of the style love it for the sleek design and when done right, its simplicity can make a bold statement. The shaker style is another very popular trend because of its crisp architectural details and clean look.

Photo Credit: Pella

Additionally, Dutch doors are soaring in popularity. Large single doors, 10ft tall and over, both in full glass and solid panel configurations are trending. Solid wood doors, as well as doors that showcase the most minimal lines by maximizing glass, are showing increased popularity. Especially in warmer climates, large pivot doors create modern and grand statement entrances.

There is a continuing desire for natural light as a necessary luxury. Clean lines, narrow stiles, and flush-glazed profiles on glass keep expansive views and an abundance of light as a priority. Modern aesthetics have an influence across design styles as everything from decorative glass to traditional profiles continues to clean up and simplify.

Photo Credit: TruStile

Homeowners have been looking to incorporate more natural light in their homes for years, and this will continue into 2023 and beyond. People are exploring different locations and applications for their doors to create a closer visual connection to nature and the outdoors, and many are exercising their design freedom by replacing traditional patio doors with large scenic versions for bigger views and more outdoor access. Previously, scenic doors were being used primarily in high-end builds, but there is now continued interest in scenic door styles growing and these offerings become more accessible for a variety of builds and renovations.

Additionally, doors that offer a contemporary aesthetic with larger expanses of glass, thinner frames, and clear sightlines to the outdoors will remain sought after. Doors with more interesting line details such as angular kerfs and plank doors, along with styles with more glass, both on the modern and traditional side, are also likely to be trending.

Photo Credit: Therma-Tru

Simple styles continue to reign supreme; in tandem with trends that focus on simple and serene spaces and showcase new Scandinavian style. As homeowners, builders, and architects continue to look for styling that leans towards a warm industrial feel with slim sightlines, large and small grilles that mimic the look of steel and commercial spaces are becoming popular.

Additionally, more opaque glass styles are surging in popularity as they balance style and privacy. Transitional aesthetics that can easily work between varied architectural styles are hot. Folding and sliding doors that maximize the indoor/outdoor spaces have been hugely popular for backyard areas, and contemporary home styles will continue to be a popular choice while more eclectic styles are growing as well.

Photo Credit: TruStile

New takes on natural hues are currently reigning supreme. Neutrals warm up and both blues and greens are of equal importance. For wood doors, light finishes remain strong across design styles, with a subtle hint of warmth coming back into Blonde Oak and mid-tone browns. Woodgrains on fiberglass doors continue to get more realistic and mimic the look and feel of real wood. Look for new alternates to black to emerge from deep greens and blues to even browns that add moodiness with a softer contrast. While white remains at the top, black has grown as both an indoor and outdoor color choice for doors over the past several years.

As of late, color choices are softening a bit as homeowners look to deep grays and warm neutrals to create a gentle contrast for a timeless look. Occasionally, homeowners are leveraging a pop of color on the interior of a window or door for a moment of impact or to draw attention to framing a beautiful view. Kerf cuts and metal inlays can add a unique dimension to flush modern doors, and adding glass to panel doors brightens a room and creates a more interesting look on feature doors in a home. Additionally, buyers want doors that are bigger across all dimensions – height, width, and thickness.

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Overall, monochromatic facades and interiors like all-black or all-pink rooms are appearing in more residential designs. Light, natural woods are very popular. There has been a lot of demand for White Oak and matte neutral stains and a balance between rift or straight grain cut and cathedral or live wood patterning. A lot of natural woods are being highlighted.

While light woods are most popular, warmer and darker woods such as Teak and Aged Walnut are coming into the mix as well. In door hardware, raw patinas are trending and brass and black continue to dominate in a variety of sheens. Additionally, interesting handle shapes such as large circles, and thin and almost unnoticed handles, are becoming more prevalent.

Photo Credit: Pella

Large doors have been present in commercial spaces for quite some time, and have certainly influenced residential trends, particularly at the modern end of the design spectrum. Look to hospitality for trends that bridge commercial and residential design executions, where there is a focus on experiential design – the ability to easily interact with a large door or transform a space from an indoor room to an indoor-outdoor hybrid.

Commercial continues to prefer flush-painted doors with an emphasis on hidden hardware when possible. However, when flush doors are used in residential, they are more often made in stain-grade construction. For modern applications, customers like the doors to seamlessly blend in with other minimal designs. For transitional and traditional applications, customers like to take advantage of unique profile accents that complement other architectural details in the project.

Photo Credit: Pella

With large window-forward facades and large expanses of glass, residential spaces are taking cues from their commercial counterparts. As stated above, there are many looks that mimic industrial style and the look of steel windows with slim sightlines and traditional grille patterns. Additionally, interesting mulling combinations are seeing increased popularity, often in residential spaces to mimic a commercial façade. Wide sidelights, often over 16”, and uniquely shaped transoms are popular.

The industry is seeing a heightened consideration within the home for all users and in commercial for ADA compliance. With doors, this can be achieved through flush and low thresholds. Residential design trends are currently drawing some of the best parts of the functionality of commercial into a livable interpretation. For example, the larger-scale entries, pivoting doors, narrow stile, and rail looks, all started in commercial and quickly adapted to residential. These types of doors lend a crisp, streamlined edge to home facades.

Photo Credit: Therma-Tru