Doors don’t just let people in and out. They also define a home. 

More importantly, they define a culture as a whole. Here are 3 types of doors from around the world that will inspire you to come up with creative ideas for your own door. Or these will at least give you insight into how different people have thought about doors and used them differently.

Here are 3 types of beautiful doors you’ll find interesting:

  1. Dutch doors
  2. French doors
  3. False doors

Find out what they mean.

1. Dutch door

A Dutch door also is known as a stable door or half door. It’s usually divided into half horizontally. The top half is conventionally designed to be a means of feeding a horse or another animal, while the bottom half is always closed to keep the animals from escaping. 

Quite a legacy from the times of European farmhouses!

A blue dutch door

2. French doors

French doors are either installed as single doors, in matching pairs, or in series. The design comes with a frame around one or many panels which are either translucent or transparent. 

An interesting way to look at the world go around and the time pass by as you relax in the comfort of your home and yet see outside!

a french door

3. False doors

False doors are disguised as windows but actually are just wall decorations. These doors were commonly used in tombs in the ancient Egyptian architecture, which represented entry to the afterlife. 

a fale door

Image source: https://www.memphistours.com

A beautiful invention to symbolize the threshold between life and afterlife!

You’ll find many more interesting doors corresponding to the interesting architectural styles that flourished in all parts of the world from time to time.

As new schools of architecture came up and as buildings became grander, the doors had to match up.

Doors had to be reinvented to add exquisiteness and the idea of the structures they were meant to guard.

While it might be unrealistic for you to have any of the above-mentioned doors to be installed in your home, they’re still an important lesson in how to match purpose with design.

When you want to open just half a door to collect packages delivered to you, you might want to install a Dutch door, especially if you have a backyard and want to install a door there.

When you want to stay in as well as out, you’ll have at least one door (maybe the balcony door) as a French door.

When you want to create an illusion of a door because, well, you like playing games with visitors, or because you see something symbolic in them, you’ll have a false door.

Tell us about interesting doors you’ve come across in your travels abroad. Did you find them as creative expressions of cultures too? Did they spark inspiration in you?