9 Must-Follow Dos and Don’ts for Choosing the Best Front Door Color
The front entry should serve as a welcoming beacon to greet guests. Ready for a front door refresh but not sure where to start? Look to these expert color tips and discover the perfect hue for your home.
Do: Stick with the Classics Use a neutral hue such as brown, black, or gray for a look that will withstand the test of time. Even deep reds and navy blues are classic front door colors that act as neutrals. Another neutral option is to stain your door instead of painting it emphasizes the door’s natural material or grain pattern.
Don’t: Be Afraid of Color Some people are nervous about using bright colors in their decor, but a door is a smaller commitment than painting an entire house or room. A splash of orange, yellow, or lime green makes a bold statement on your front door. If brights are too daunting, try a dark version of a color, such as burgundy, forest green, or eggplant.
Do: Purchase the Right Paint Since your door will be exposed to outside elements, it’s essential to use the proper paint to prevent peeling and fading later. Latex exterior paints provide weather-resistant coverage.
Don’t: Neglect Your Screen Door If your front door features a storm door or screen door, you can paint it’s frame a contrasting hue for a second punch of color. Do: Speak to Your Home’s Style Your home’s overall style can help you pick out a front door color. A bold, unusual hue like the lime green on this home is a nod to its modern exterior. Don’t be afraid to break the rules though. Using an unexpected color can add personality and liven up a traditional facade.
Do: Consider Your Surroundings If you’re stumped on a color for your front door, look to your home’s natural surroundings for inspiration. Greens, blues, browns, and other tones that appear together in nature will also work well on your house. Using natural colors has the added bonus of making your home look like it belongs in the landscape.
Don’t: Pick a Paint Color Indoors To fully understand how a paint color will look, you need to see it in its planned environment. Colors can look very different in different lighting conditions. Tape paint swatches to an exterior door and observe the color throughout the day. If you want to get an even better idea of how it’ll look, paint a small swatch directly on the door.
Do: Make it Monochrome If you have a small house, this trick is for you. Visually expand your home by painting the door, trim, window frames, and exterior the same color. A monochromatic color scheme also provides a neutral backdrop for accessories to shine, such as the planters and sconces around this farmhouse front door. Use color to highlight other architectural details, too. Here, columns painted in a darker shade frame the front door.
Don’t: Ignore the Trim Your front door trim is also a candidate for painting. White is classic, but another option is to make the door pop with contrasting trim. Rich brown tones, for example, can warm up a cool-colored door. On this house, dark trim prevents the green door from fading into the surrounding stone.
*Courtesy of BHG.com
* Specific loan program availability and requirements may vary. Please get in touch with your mortgage advisor for more information.
