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Dos and Don’ts for Choosing the Best Front Door Color
Give your front door the attention it deserves by using these pro tips for picking the perfect color.
The color of your front door should be intentional. As the first thing most people see when they visit, your front entry serves as a welcoming embrace for guests. Make it say exactly what you want to express. Here are a handful of tips to help you choose the perfect color door for your situation. Whether you want it to stand out, blend in, coordinate with your home style, or go completely against the grain, these do’s and don’ts will help you find a shade you love.
DO: Pick a Classic
Neutral tones like black, gray or brown will effectively convey a timeless look, as will deep blues and reds. The good part about classic colors is that they typically adjust to any style alterations you make in the future. Another neutral alternative? Using a wood stain on your door instead of paint. The stain enhances the appearance of the grain or natural material.
DON’T: Shy Away from Color
Some homeowners are apprehensive about incorporating bold colors in their home decor. However, using a vibrant shade on a door asks a lot less of you than painting an entire room or exterior. After all, what’s the harm in experimenting? If you have a color that you feel strongly about, give it a try! Bright green, yellow or orange all make bold statements on a front door. If vibrant hues prove to be too much, simply choose a darker shade of your chosen color, like forest green, burgundy or eggplant.
DO: Use the Proper Paint
Using the right paint on your door will help prevent fading and peeling caused by exposure to outside elements. You want a paint that is specifically made for exteriors, as it will provide weather-resistant coverage. For a metal door, consider finding a paint with rust protection. No matter what type of paint you choose, always apply an exterior primer first.
Appropriate exterior paints come in a range of finishes, including glossy, semigloss, and matte. Although a high-gloss finish will highlight architectural details, it’ll also make any blemishes more apparent. Semigloss is more forgiving than a high-gloss finish when it comes to masking flaws, and is easier to clean than a matte finish.
DON’T: Choose a Paint Color Indoors
If you want a true representation of what a particular paint color will look like on your door, you must view it in its intended environment. Colors can change dramatically when viewed in different light conditions. To test paint colors on your door, try taping swatches to the outside and observing the color at different times throughout the day. For an even better idea of what it’ll look like, paint a swatch directly on the door.
DO: Look to Your Home’s Style & Surroundings
Not sure where to begin when trying to pick a color for your front door? Try turning to your home’s overall style for direction. Is it modern? Then a bold, unexpected shade like lime green might work well. But don’t be afraid to stray from the standard rules. A bold, unexpected color choice can also inject some much-needed character into a traditional-styled home. You just have to be willing to experiment.
Similarly, finding inspiration in your home’s natural surroundings is a good idea. Browns, blues, greens and other shades that are seen together in nature can also be effective on your home’s exterior. Bonus: Natural colors will help make your home blend in and look like part of the landscape.
DON’T: Forget the Trim
When thinking about paint for your front door, don’t forget the trim! While white is a classic choice, you can also make the door stand out with contrasting trim. For example, deep shades of brown can bring warmth to a cool-colored door, and dark trim is a way to anchor a light door, preventing it from blending in with the rest of the home’s exterior.
