How Interior Doors Shape the Feeling of Your Home: An Interview with Interior Designer Elizabeth Szabo
From the Alpada Team
Your home is not just a layout — it's an atmosphere of light, daily rituals, and the details that make a space feel personal and alive. Doors play a surprisingly powerful role in that experience: they guide movement, shape the flow between rooms, and influence the mood of a home more than we realize.
 |
To explore how interior doors impact design and lifestyle, we spoke with Elizabeth Szabo, Senior Interior Designer at Functional Living Design Group (Ohio, USA). With over a decade of experience in residential remodeling, Elizabeth brings a warm, practical perspective shaped by real homes and real families. |
Q: Please tell us a little about yourself by describing your background and why you chose the field of Interior Design.
As a child, I was always creating—whether drawing, painting, crafting, or baking. It was my way of bringing the ideas in my imagination into the real world. I've always visualized in 3D, which means I can mentally construct what I'm about to create before it ever reaches paper or a screen.
This ability allows me to view designs from all angles and refine the details to find the best solution for each project. Studying architecture and environmental design felt like a natural extension of these skills, ultimately guiding me toward a fulfilling career in interior design.
Q: What trends or "top picks" in interior doors have you noticed in your 2025 projects? Which trends are the most popular?
Many of our clients come to us looking to make their spaces more functional and better suited to their daily lives. We achieve this through thoughtful space planning, custom-designed cabinetry or closet/pantry systems, and smart organizational accessories.
While warm tones remain popular, color trends are shifting toward earthy, practical hues — enhanced with accent colors that reflect each client's personality and sense of comfort, rather than simply following what's trending.
Q: How can glass and steel doors enhance interiors? Why do people choose them, and why are they often considered design features rather than just functional elements?
Glass and steel doors enhance interior rooms not only through their aesthetic but also by creating the feeling of a more open space. They allow natural light to flow between rooms in a way solid doors cannot. The craftsmanship elevates them beyond standard doors.
With bold lines, strong contrast, and intricate grid patterns, these doors can transform a transitional space into a focal point. For example, black or dark frames often stand out beautifully against lighter walls or softer interiors, creating visual impact.
With the right execution, they function almost like a piece of art — a crafted object that elevates the entire interior.
Q: Where do glass and steel doors work best?
A wide variety of interior spaces can benefit from additional light that steel and glass doors can provide including: glass wine rooms, offices, libraries, craft or workshop rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, butler's pantries, exercise rooms, game rooms, wine storage rooms, and sometimes even primary closets.
