Double the doors, double the curb appeal.
When it comes to charming curb appeal, your front door can pull a lot of weight. Depending on the color, shape, size of windows, and number of panels, you can inject a lot of personality into your door so it makes a brilliant first impression. Without a doubt, the type of front door that tops the charming list? A Dutch door.
A Dutch door (sometimes called a double hung or half door) is a door that’s split in half horizontally, allowing the top half to open while the bottom half stays shut. But secure the bolt to hold the two halves together and it operates like a normal door.
Why is this a thing, you ask? Originating in colonial New England, Dutch doors were a practical solution that allowed the breeze and sunlight to come into the house without letting children out or animals and pests in. Because these split doors were prominent features of Dutch Colonial homes, the association with the Dutch stuck.
Today, Dutch doors are still popular for their practicality as well as their old-world feel. Plus, they’re a great option for interior doors as well, allowing you to keep an eye (and ear) on children and animals while keeping them in or out of a certain part of the house (preschools figured this out a long time ago). Take a look at the eye-catching doors below, and we bet you’ll feel inspired to go Dutch too.
No matter the style, Dutch doors lend a casual, inviting appearance to your home. A coat of pale pink paint makes this farmhouse porch that much sweeter.
A bright yellow door with a large window connects this chic black-and-white kitchen to a screened-in porch, providing the perfect transition from indoors to outdoors.
As a convenient perk, a Dutch door allows you to greet guests or delivery men without worrying that your pets will get out.
The Dutch door structure plays up the rustic farmhouse aesthetic of an antique, raw wood door like this one.
A cheery periwinkle hue makes an otherwise neutral house standout from the street. And a matching screen door means you can enjoy the breeze without the bugs.
A back-entry Dutch door through the mudroom lets groceries and other items be passed to someone inside without tracking in more dirt than necessary.
An all-white entryway gets a pop of color when the top half of this turquoise Dutch door swings open.
Interior Dutch doors also offer practical solutions, creating visual division while still allowing access to hand or toss things over the bottom half—meaning, dirty clothes can be dumped in the laundry room without you having to stare at the ever-growing pile (at least for a little while).
A cottage-y Dutch door serves as a baby gate for napping or playing toddlers you want contained in a room while still being able to hear and see them. A shelf on the lower half of the door serves as a convenient pick-up or drop-off spot for folded laundry or dirty dishes.
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