The Stylish French Door Trend You'll Be Seeing Inside And Outside The Home In 2026

There are several front door trends that will elevate the look of your home in 2026. But if you want to opt for a timeless design that won't go out of style anytime soon, you might want to invest in French doors, which are being reimagined for the front door, as well interiors. Explaining why they're becoming more popular, Cristiana Crin, the director of design at Perpetuum Designs, tells House Digest in her exclusive sit down, "Since the minimalist era is finally starting to come to an end, people are more and more drawn towards familiar concepts, and French doors are a true classic; especially for interior use." However, this isn't the only reason why homeowners are gravitating toward this exterior style.

There are multiple advantages of using French-style exterior doors. "Unlike regular doors ... they [are] primarily made of glass [so] they bring a specific elegance to the space that no other type of door will offer," Crin says. Moreover, they're among the best ways to improve natural light in your home. Our expert agrees and tacks on, "If they're used for an exterior door, they eliminate the need of usage of artificial light, especially during the day and they offer that strong connection for the indoor-outdoor feel." Crin notes that the benefits of indoor French doors translate to your home's exterior. "They also create a symmetry that [ties the] space together in a classic style," she adds.

Wondering whether a French door will suit your interior or exterior design choices? Cristiana Crin shares a few popular styles it'll go really well with in her House Digest exclusive. She starts with modern interiors. "[They are] mostly used to divide formal rooms. In this particular style, the frames should be wood, painted soft neutrals of white, matching the overall room trims and clads," she says. The next style she highlights is farmhouse. "Wood will be the most popular material for this style, painted black or a deep dark blue or green. It adds a beautiful / rich contrast," she highlights. So, if you've been thinking of ditching pastel shades and painting your exterior doors a dark shade, French doors can help you achieve this dream.

Scandinavian is another style Crin feels goes well with French doors. "Wood material will be the most common choice," she reasons. Detailing the requirements here, she explains, "For this style, the height of the door would be taller than usual, and the frame would be just a little bit more sleek. Clean cut. Natural light colors typically matching the color of the wall would be the best choice for paint." French doors also pair well with the industrial design, especially if the frame is made of steel, reveals Crin. Bonus points if you use darker paints, which she says go with any interior style. And if you want a coastal vibe, go with aluminum and wood materials in white or blue colors, she suggests.

In your excitement to upgrade your boring front or internal doors, don't just order the first French door you see. Instead, consider a few things before finalizing one. Noting the qualities you should look for in her exclusive interview with House Digest, Cristiana Crin states, "Swing direction [is] an important functionality element. Depending on the room size and space partition, direction of the swing is important for space maximization." And if you lack ample room for swing clearance, opt for pocket French doors for a similar look and feel.

Another thing you should pay attention to is the door's material. "While wood will be the most obvious choice, offering a classic beauty, wood requires a little bit more maintenance, especially if used for an exterior door (to prevent rot)," our expert says. However, if you'd rather not spend time and mental space worrying about your precious front door, our design expert lists a few options you should opt for. "Aluminum / steel, fiberglass, or clad-wood are a few other popular material choices," she offers. They're also the most durable materials for a long-lasting front door.

Finally, consider a door's energy efficiency and glass quality. "To avoid drafty rooms, double or triple pane glass should be the obvious choice for exterior use because it provides superior insulation," she says. Moreover, she advises taking note of vendor certifications. "[Making] sure of high performance standards is a must for any exterior use. For indoor use, a high quality glass will eliminate imperfections," our expert elaborates.

Although French doors work with most design styles, there are a few mistakes you should avoid while incorporating them in your home. For starters, Cristiana Crin says you should never choose style over proportion. Giving an example of how this can happen, she illustrates in her exclusive chat with House Digest, "For a French door to work with [a] ceiling [it] has to be at least 9 feet high. No matter which style the space presents." The door's frame also plays an important role. Our expert therefore notes a common mistake you should try to avoid. "[Using] bulky frames for small openings," she says. "The frame of the door has to have a thickness that will match the overall architectural language of that room." Consider the frame's color as well. "While black frames are elegant, beautiful, and popular it's not for every style," she shares. "People need to take in consideration the overall style of the room, and how a dark frame will look in the overall space."

Moreover, she adds that you shouldn't just install French doors willy-nilly. It's important that they look integrated. "For exterior use one of the most important elements is that it has to be energy efficient and this is not to be ignored," our expert advises. "Form follows function so ignoring the climate elements and choosing aesthetics over thermal breaks is a very heavy and unfortunately common mistake." Further, people often forget to take swing clearance into account. She advises that you avoid placing furniture in the swing path. Additionally, don't use French doors in rooms where privacy is paramount, like bathrooms. They also don't help absorb sound, so keep that in mind, too, proposes Crin.