Our "active" door on one of our sets of French doors is the one on the right. I'm not sure about our other set...but I would assume right also.

I would paint the trim and jambs, I think. That's a tough one though!

Both sides of our french doors open. I could have saved a bundle by buying doors with only one side that opens, since that's how we use them. If you still want two that open, pick the side you will most often gravitate to. (Also, be sure you can reach the latch that holds the 'second-to-open door'; you may need an extension latch.)

1) Imagine walking out to the porch with a armload of dishes. Which hand would you have the dishes in? Which hand would you reach for the door with?

2) I think I would paint the trim to match the rest of the house.

Also think about where the light switch will go on the wall next to the active door.

I would do the right one. Seems more natural to me.

If it were me. . .

Right dining room door open first so it's easier to operate when coming from the living room.

Left kitchen door open first so it's easier to operate when coming from the kitchen.

Since the rest of the jambs & trim are painted, I'd do the same with the French doors. Leaving the doors themselves stained should make them "pop" more.

We have outswing French patio doors that go out to the screen porch from the kitchen. We chose the primary active one to be on the left for several reasons...

1. The light switches are there.
2. We have a small table situated close to the door on the right.
3. The screen porch is situated such that the left door is close to the left edge/wall of the screen porch. Thus when you walk out you see the majority of the screen porch area as opposed to going out the right door in which case the view is the wall.

Think about your house. Most doors swing open next to the wall in the room the door opens into. If the screen porch side wall (perpendicular to the house)is closer to the doors I'd place the door accordingly.

Also take into account where the light switches are & where you will place your furniture.

For the kitchen I'd do the right since it is close to the right side wall of the screen porch.

For the dining room it's hard to tell where the left side wall of the screen porch is. If it is close I'd select the left door to be the active one.

Are you right-handed or left-handed?

mightyanvil, I am left handed, husband is right handed.

So I was right. For the kitchen door use the right door as the active one & have your husband always open that door for you.

For the dining room use the left door as the active one & you always open that door for him.

Quick funny real story...

I don't remember the specific game but NC State had just won a big game on ESPN & a reporter asked Charles Shackleford how he had played so well.

Charles responded by saying "Left hand, right hand  it doesnÂt matter. IÂm amphibious."

The spouse putting the most effort into the project gets to choose. The other spouse will keep quiet unless they want to take the lead.

You guys are great!!--and funny!

Anyone else? Thanks!