Who says that doors should only serve a single purpose?  If a home is truly custom-made, there should be nothing wrong with installing custom doors.  We’re not talking about simple doors with specific dimensions or doors made of certain types of wood, but rather bold artistic expressions that stand on their own.  A door is probably the single part of a building’s exterior that people will interact most frequently with, so if you’re looking to create intrigue and pique interest, there’s probably no better way to do this than by having a beautiful door right in the front of a building.

For something entirely different, we’re going to look at a handful of some of the most beautiful (and yes, sometimes bizarre) doors that we could find.  We won’t worry about ENERGY STAR ratings or climate zones this time, nor will we agonize over the materials and various styles that work to maintain energy efficiency.  Instead, we’ll focus on some of the most interesting doors from around the world while insisting that it’s ok to appreciate a door for much more than it functionally represents.

Doors like the following can be found in virtually every corner of the globe and these images were taken from homes, churches, restaurants, and various historical sites.  Some of these may even help you create ideas for your own doors as well as perhaps remind you what not to do!

While viewing, keep in mind that sometimes, beauty is indeed, in the eye of the beholder!

A flower-inspired entryway (Beijing, China)

A splash of color goes a long way! (Burano, Italy)

A mermaid? On a swing? It doesn’t get any better than that (Funchal, Madeira, Portugal)

This door appears to be in the middle of a garden. You might miss the house behind it if you glance by too quickly! (Japan)

Gateway to the German Alps – who put this door here and why?

A door of mathematical proportions! (The door may be hard to find, but here’s a hint: it’s on the bottom-left)

Color, design, and flair (Montmartre, Paris, France)

Royal blue and stately columns make up this doorway in Northumberland, UK

A house inside of a house? Hard to tell until you’re close enough to knock (Santa Fe, New Mexico)

This door is a colorful extension of a mural (Toronto, Canada)

The eyes have it. And quite creepily, we might add (Valparaiso, Chile)

While these doors may lack in energy efficiency and some might prove to be the antithesis of weather-proof, they certainly make up for it with a “wow” factor.  Who knew that something as seemingly bland and conventional as a simple door could actually be an inspiring work of art?

Art that has a purpose is pretty cool and functioning art that isn’t just created for aesthetics is a bonus.  Every one of these doors operates just like any other bland and boring door.  However, the difference is that these doors were designed to evoke certain feelings and emotions, proving the effect that art can have on simple, everyday objects that we sometimes view as inconsequential.

The next time you feel inspired to install or design a new door for your home, remember to find or design one that’s as unique as you and your home are!

** Special thanks to the following webpages for the beautiful images:

boredpanda.com
rhballard.blogspot.com