Apart from the suit overcall, the take-out double is the most common way into the auction after an opponent has opened. Indeed if anything it is underused, for it is a call partner loves to hear, ‘what suit do you want to be trumps, partner?’ it asks. The requirements for a take out double use the acronym SOS:

S Support (3+ cards) for all unbid suits.
O Opening Points or more
S Shortage (two cards or fewer) in the suit opened.

You do not need to be an absolute slave to the SOS criteria.

(1 ♦ )-?

(i). Whilst you do not quite have opening values (very close, though, with such good intermediates), it is clearly winning Bridge to double, given that you have an ideal shape with both four-card majors.

(ii). [See featured deal]. You would prefer one more club and one fewer diamond, but should not let that deter you from doubling. Partner will strain to respond in a major.

(iii). Better bid 1 ♥ , to show the five-card major. Should the bidding proceed along the lines of: (1 ♦ )-1 ♥ -(2 ♦ )-P-(P)- now you can double (still for take-out – as partner has not bid).

(iv). 1 NT (15-19 as an overcall) is far more goal-oriented (the goal being the most likely game of 3 NT) than double. The second diamond stopper is the clincher.

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