You don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure out where the Dutch door came from. Originating in the Netherlands during the early 1600s, this unique design features top and bottom halves that operate independently. The bottom can be closed for some privacy while the top is left open for fresh air and neighborly chats. Or, when locked together, the two sections can work as a standard door.

Dutch doors were first used on front entryways and were later placed at secondary doorways to the kitchen or scullery. These doors also provided ventilation to barns and stables.

Although rarely included in new-home plans today, Dutch doors can be ordered by homeowners who want to add country charm to a rear entrance or an outbuilding, such as a garage or potting shed.
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