Can anyone else see what's wrong with this ?

2 years ago

I had a floor put in (the herringbone one) which i hate. I am struggling to find a new one (straight plank) so decided to paint the internal doors including these bi-folds into the kitchen white. By doing this I created a new problem. It just doesn't look right to me. The doors look flimsy and the room looks disconnected and visually not right. When the doors are all shut it feels like it looks fine but the middle door is so small and awkward to get in and out of. Please can anyone suggest anything? I've considered a single door but I'm worried it will make my kitchen seem small or even bring the wall in slightly and have double doors with an architrave but I run the risk of it still having that problem. The floor in the kitchen needs to stay the same (as I am having engineered wood in the hallway (the room you see with the herringbone floor). Please help!

Featured Answer

Juliet Docherty

2 years ago

If you liked the wooden doors, why not have a pair of outward opening wooden doors fitted? Its difficult because I think many of us on here like the current flooring. The colour is lovely.

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Pineapple
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2 years ago
Pineapple
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2 years ago
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Pineapple
Original Author
2 years ago
Pineapple
Original Author
2 years ago
Originally when the doors were oak I didn't feel like there was a problem.
Daisy England
2 years ago
That herringbone flooring is lovely. I would not entertain swapping it.

I can see what you’re saying though about the size of the middle door as that would be frustrating for me too. Is the size of the opening what would accept a pair of doors as opposed to 3 panels?
whizzywig
2 years ago
The floor is lovely - I can see why the doors were divided that way, so that they don’t intrude into the kitchen too much: otherwise they would be hitting the units. If you replaced the doors with one, wider, central door and two fixed glazed side panels, it might help. Otherwise a pair of double doors that ipen into the hallway rather than the kitchen?
Sonia
2 years ago
Hi Pineapple, I eventually removed the door between my kitchen/diner and the living room as whenever it was in the open position it looked cluttered and whichever way we configured it never looked right. Now just an idea but how about the doors opening outwards into the hall? I feel two same sized doors may be less fussy than two or even no doors at all. I love your hall it is amazing and so is the floor. So much space! 😊
Isla Cherry
2 years ago
The sightlines would be much cleaner if you removed the doors. Are they usually open or closed? I think when they were oak before you painted them they added warmth. Would it be impossible to strip the paint off them? What purpose do the doors serve? Is that the only door to the kitchen?
Sonia
2 years ago
- sorry I meant two doors may be better than 3 or even none.
Pineapple
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks everyone. I definitely need to change the floor. I think it must be a me thing with herringbone. It is causing me alot of anxiety to look at! (I don't like clutter and it feels like the floor is always messy ) I painted the doors because I was struggling to match them to any new floor but in turn created this new problem. They feel like 'caravan' doors almost. The floor goes too far into the kitchen (you can see my hall floor in the kitchen!) Which is why I think if I get new doors I will get them set a bit further back so the doors sit in the right place. I quite like the idea of keeping the door glass to make it feel less closed off and maybe fixed panels and one larger door would work. I am trying to work out why I am 'ok' with the doors shut and not open. I wonder if it just looks more uniform to me. I just hate that small middle door which feels caravan like. I could strip the paint but I'm afraid I would be back to struggling to pick a floor to compliment the oak again. Over the years the oak had turned more orange too .
Pineapple
Original Author
2 years ago
That is the only door the kitchen, also I couldn't have them opening into the hall as there is a door on an angle immediately to the left and the front door to the right so I think I think they would either obstruct or look visually messy. The house is an odd layout which never bothered me before but I think the herringbone pattern has thrown me. I have learnt that I definitely like straight lines!
Angie
2 years ago
I like the triple door arrangement. Being able to see through the glass when closed is a big positive for me. In your picture of the hallway with the old floor you have a rug. Could you lay a large rug to cover at least some of the herringbone while you take time to regroup and think again?
J
2 years ago
I think the issue is the direction of the herringbone floor when it meets the tiles. So the straight lines of the oak felt right because it joined the kitchen straight lines at 90 deg. Now you have a optical effect of the herringbone making the hall feel wider, with a not so harmonious join at the tiles. The doors shut creates a visual (and physical) divide between the two, and feels better.
I also think your herringbone floor looks great. I know you said the kitchen floor can't change, but considering your looking at new doors or replacing the hall floor, for the cost and hassle, I'd extend the herringbone into the kitchen. And I think that would sort it out. And look great ὄD
Jonathan
2 years ago
I think this Herringbone floor looks super. I would try a circular rug on it before you rip it up
PRO
Woodfloors4u
2 years ago
Active grey colour type herringbone floors do look amazing. Due to time, cost, potential damage and effort I would concur with other suggestions get a rug, but buy a bespoke rug to fit the space to your exact requirements.
tamp75
2 years ago
I appreciate you don’t like clutter but I think part of the problem is that it is so bare, there is nothing else in the hallway so your eyes get drawn too much to the doors & floor. As others have said, you could try a rug. But I also think maybe a small armchair / side table combo just under the stairs or a console table might help to detract from the bits you don’t like.
Wumi
2 years ago
The floor stands out to me because it’s the most dominant colour, everything is pale and neutral and blends into the background. I’d paint the wall of the kitchen a deeper colour that compliments the floor and/or paint the kitchen door, architrave and skirting a darker colour.

A runner, console table/shelving under the staircase and maybe a tall plant would make it feel more homey.

Can anyone else see what's wrong with this ?

Juliet Docherty

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Can anyone else see what's wrong with this ?

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