12 French Patio Door Ideas That Are Stylish and Functional

"The French patio door style you select should be consistent with the overall style of your home," says designer Mark Lavender. "We tend to go with a simpler version with clean lines that gives a timeless feel."

Joshua Smith finished these French doors in Benjamin Moore White Dove (a perennial designer favorite). "The color shifts throughout the day depending on the light," he notes.

For the French doors of this 1930s Hollywood Hills Spanish Revival, Smith painted the outward facing side in Benjamin Moore Middleberry Brown to add "more richness to the creamy exterior and the terracotta tile roof," he explains.

Think French doors are a traditional style staple? Think again: A four-paneled French door connects the living room and patio of this contemporary residence by Jean Liu.

"Embracing the indoor-outdoor lifestyle, this pair of French doors leads to an adjacent outdoor living room and poolside lounge," reveals Los Angeles designer Stefani Stein. "Light filtering linen drapery and wooden doors infuse charm and character."

French doors draw visitors into the pool area of this Mediterranean-style residence in Calabasas, CA, designed by Nickey Kehoe. Their flexibility ensures the pool/guest house can be closed off while still feeling connected to the outdoor space.

Rounded French doors help lend this backyard seating area by Studio Lifestyle a clean, modern look.

French doors line the entire wall of this expansive room by Jessica Lagrange, creating a unique space for entertaining that allows guests to meander between the living room and outdoor patio.

In another project by Lagrange, a wall of svelte French doors painted in bright white lead into the warm and elegant dining room.

An abundance of sunshine pours through windows stacked atop French doors in this double-height room designed by Living with Lolo.

In the outdoor dining area of designer Michelle Prentice's home in Beaufort, SC, the French doors are painted the same creamy Glidden white as the exterior walls.

They don't have to stick to the patio, either: "The light that streams through the breakfast room in this Piedmont, CA, home is the best in the house," says designer Caitlin Jones Ghajar. "We used French doors to offer sound privacy for the adjacent den, while still inviting in all that lovely light."