The aesthetics of oak doors promote design flexibility, allowing many to create unique and eye-catching doors for their houses. At this point, you may be thinking about painting your door frame white to go with the oak entryway. But do oak doors go with white frames? We consulted the experts to help you find the answer.
Oak has a reasonably versatile earthen color that goes well with many hues and tones, including white. White, along with other cool colors, tend to work better with oak rather than warm shades. These colors help accent the fairly warm shade of wood, making the door stand out better than before.
Choosing a white color for your frame to blend with an oak door is only the first step to the process. Equipping yourself with the knowledge to paint your door frame white will help you avoid costly mistakes. Continue reading to learn more about painting your door frame and other things you need to know.
Why Do Oak Doors Go Well with White Frames?
Oak has a fairly warm color, which should blend well with cool hues and tones. Understanding the color theory will help you grasp why oak doors generally work well with white door frames.
The color theory is a collection of guidelines and rules many designers in different fields use to blend and harmonize various color combinations. It was Sir Isaac Newton, a renowned English physicist and mathematician, who invented the color wheel in 1666.
At that time, Newton divided the different colors into three systematic categories, which include:
- Primary (blue, yellow, red)
- Secondary (the different mixtures of the primary colors)
- Tertiary (the different mixtures of both the primary and secondary colors)
The concept of the color theory, particularly in interior design, expanded over time. Color schemes and temperatures were added to the system, allowing designers to improve their abilities in combining different color models.
With that in mind, it is best to look into the complementary color scheme, which is the use of pairs of opposite colors. In other words, pairing warm colors with cool tones.
Since oak generally has a warm shade, contrasting it with a cool color like white will help the two objects stand out. An oak door surrounded by a white frame is an excellent example. However, some homeowners may also choose other close colors to white such as cream, beige, and even a light shade of brown.
How To Paint Oak Door Frames White
Painting an oak door frame with white can take an entire day, particularly if you’re not prepared for the job. So, take time to familiarize yourself with the tools needed for this project and how to do the task without the risk of committing costly errors.
What You’ll Need
- Dust sheet
- Screwdriver
- Masking or painter's tape
- Flat scraper
- Sandpaper or power sander
- Paintbrushes
- Step ladder
- Paint
- Sponge
- Clean towels
- Bucket of soapy water
Prepare the Door Frame for Painting
Immediately applying paint to the door frame will cause serious and unnecessary expenses. The outcome won't be as smooth as intended and you run the risk of letting the paint chip or ruin over time.
Here are the steps to prepare your door frame for painting:
- Use masking or painter's tape to protect the areas around the door frame.
- Place the dust sheet on the floor to collect excess paint and other debris while doing the project.
- Wedge the door open to access the frame’s entirety.
- Remove dust from the door frame, including the crevice and latch space.
- Dip the sponge in soapy water and apply it to the frame to eliminate the buildup of dirt and grease.
- Clean the soapy residue with towels.
- Use a flat scraper to remove old, flaking paint.
- Sand the door frame using a sander or sandpaper to smoothen the surface.
- Remove the dust generated from the previous step by brushing or wiping the door frame clean.
- Cover the door hinges with masking or decorator’s tape.
- Unscrew the latch on the door frame.
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Paint the Door Frame White
Once you’re satisfied with the preparation, it’s time to grab your preferred bucket of white paint and paintbrushes. Take note that you shouldn’t rush this procedure. Trust the process, and you’ll finish the project with satisfying results.
The steps to paint your oak door frame white are as follows:
- Use a paintbrush that’s no wider than the door frame’s surface to avoid the paint from the brush landing onto unwanted areas. Only cover half of the length of the paintbrush’s bristles. If you think the paintbrush acquired more paint than necessary, wipe the excess on the paint bucket’s rim.
- Start painting from the inside of the door frame while moving outward. Use up-and-down motions to remain consistent and avoid unwanted streaks.
- Switch to another brush when painting corners, preferably one with rounded bristles.
- Move to the outside of the door frame after finishing the inside. Again, remain consistent with your brush strokes. You can use left-and-right motions other than up-and-down movements. But don’t mix the two types of gestures in one long section.
- Paint the top portion of the door frame.
- Let the paint dry for a few hours. Then, inspect the temporary finish for patches. If some patches surface, apply a small amount of white paint on those areas.
- Once the patch dries, apply a second coat to the inside, outside, and upper portions of the door frame if desired.
- Remove the masking or painter's tape while the paint is still relatively wet.
- Wait for 24 hours or more to let the paint dry completely.
- Reinstall the door if you took it out. If you need help in the door installation process, check out our post on How Long It Takes To Hang An Oak Door.
What Color Do You Paint Your Door Frame?
White is an excellent and safe option for door frames because the color matches well with many doors, including wooden options like oak. Aside from white, you can consult the color wheel and gain a good understanding of the color theory to choose the appropriate color for your door frame.
Additionally, you can also take note of the location of the entryway when choosing the color for your door frame. For instance, your bedroom is blue and the entryway is gray; if so, paint the door frame gray to match the door. This color combination will blend well with the blue color of the bedroom. Plus, the gray door and frame will help ease the eyes in transitioning to the bedroom’s blue theme.
Check this Majic Paints White Satin Paint on Amazon.
Do Trim And Doors Have To Match?
Doors and trim don’t have to match colors. You have complete control of the color of your doors and trim. Choose among different selections, such as using complementary or contrasting colors, or paint the door and trim with the same shade.
But you should take note that these choices have their distinct pros and cons. Take the time in choosing your colors to avoid the painstaking task of redoing a paint job.
Can You Have White Baseboards With Oak Doors?
Yes, you can mix oak doors with white baseboards. But it’s best not to go with an ‘all-or-nothing’ approach for this matter. In other words, you don’t have to paint or use white baseboards for every oak door in your home.
Think about certain factors before matching white baseboards with oak doors. Some of the things you need to consider are the locations, wood quality, and the exact hues and tones of the baseboards and doors.
Final Words
Oak doors go well with white frames. But it’s important to understand the color theory to ensure you’re going to choose the correct white paint for your home’s oak door. Plus, gather the necessary tools and follow the correct procedure in painting your door frame white.
Be patient and practice diligence, and you should enjoy a white door frame that complements your oak entryway well. If you're not satisfied with the result, read through our previous article, What Color Floor Goes With Oak Doors?
