How to Pick a Front Door Color?

Painting the front door in a particular color is a matter of taste and harmonization with your home style. However, making the right choice can be a bit complicated. Believe it or not, people often bring an opinion about the owner’s personality based on the appearance of his or her front door even though it seems unimportant at first glance.

Keep in mind that the chosen color doesn’t need to match the interior’s shades, but it should be in harmony with the house itself. So, let’s see how to pick a front door color, enhance your home facade, and add a personal touch to the house exterior.

Choosing a Front Door Color

Rule number one is that the front door color should reflect the owner’s personality and the environment where the house is located. Therefore, you need to consider a few things before choosing it.

First of all, try to check if there are any restrictions on front door color options, especially if you live in a neighborhood with CC&Rs (Codes, Conditions, and Restrictions). In such a case, you can’t choose any color you want if it is contrary to your neighborhood’s uniform and cohesive look.

The next thing you should take into consideration is the overall look of the house exterior. It is not crucial to match its color with your home’s interior style, but you should pick out the door according to the color of your facade or driveway.

Finally, choose the door that will improve the appearance of your porch. For instance, a dark porch without natural light will require a light-colored or white front door. On the other hand, a dark door will provide a delicate balance to an open entryway.

What the Front Door Color Says About the Owner

When picking out a new front door, you probably think about cost, energy efficiency, style, and maintenance. However, don’t underestimate the importance of its color. Always keep in mind that the front door is not only an entrance to your house. It is also an indicator of your character.

1. White

A white front door will send a message that you are an organized, serene, and cheerful neighbor. People will expect that your home is clean and well-organized. In most cultures, it is a traditional color for home entry doors.

2. Yellow

It is not a standard color for a front door, but it can be pretty lovely. Yellow shows that you are a curious, warm, confident, happy, and wise person full of understanding. Plus, the lively shade will brighten every exterior, including gloomy one.

3. Orange

It is a vibrant and exciting solution that represents your tendency to take on new challenges and enjoy the fun spontaneously. It is an ideal and adventurous choice for extroverted and confident homeowners. However, keep in mind that the wrong shade can look cheap and kitsch.

4. Red

Believe it or not, red front doors are among the most common options in the US. In fact, this color meant welcome for everyone in the early American tradition. However, its meaning can vary, depending on the shade you prefer.

• Bright red – It shows that you are an extraordinary, passionate, and vibrant character.
• Dark red – It invites friends and neighbors in your home and tells them how warm, sophisticated, and friendly you actually are.

5. Purple

Purple is not a typical front door color option. Most people believe that it is connected with spirituality. So, your neighbor may consider you a risk-taker. However, people who pick out this option are usually open-minded and day-dreamers.

6. Green

A green front door makes your home looks like a safe and healthy place. You can choose a bright or kiwi green to leave the impression that you live an exciting life. However, you can also pick out a shadow of lime, mint, or grass.

7. Turquoise

Nowadays, relaxing turquoise doors are trendy in Southern California. By picking this shade, you show welcome to your guests as an eclectic, stable, but a bit whimsy homeowner.

8. Blue

You will rarely notice vibrant shades of this color when it comes to the front door. If you choose blue, it will show people that your house is a home of an easygoing and peaceful homeowner. However, its real meaning will primarily depend on your favorite shade:

• Royal blue – It will confirm that you are an optimistic and prosperous person.
• Powder blue – Most sincere and friendly people will pick out this type of blue.
• Dark blue – It shows your calm and grounded personality.
• Indigo blue – I need to say that this is a quite bold choice. If your door is painted in indigo, you are probably a devoted and energetic person, and you always know what you want.

9. Brown

Different shades of brown can send various messages:

• Light brown – This variation means that you are a warm, stable, and reliable person.
• Dark brown – Most people connect this shade with an introverted person who prefers keeping her or his home in privacy.

10. Grey

Many people connect grey with intelligence and dignity. Be careful since the wrong shade of grey can send the wrong message and convince people that you are an unfriendly and distant person.

11. Black

Black is usually considered as an option that symbolizes tradition, control, elegance, and order. Many sophisticated and authoritative people make such a choice.

Pick Out the Right Color

• Color wheel – Look for a color wheel online and decide which one shade fits your style and the exterior appearance of your home best.
• Monochromatic style – If you want to avoid monotony, there is an option to choose a combination of the same color for both the facade and the door. However, they should be a different shade.
• Contrast (complimentary) colors – Many people find this combination attractive. To get this appearance, you should choose different options for the door and facade that are opposite each other on the color wheel. Be careful! If you mix them, they will cancel each other and produce gray in a similar way as when you combine white and black. When you place them next to each other, you will get the strongest contrast possible.
• Bright color contrasts to neutral – If the facade is a neutral shade, you can choose any door color you like. That way, you can fully express your personality.
• Match the exterior colors – Choose the door color that fits your house and yard. For example, match it with the shade of your porch roof, door trim, garage door, or material for the driveway.
• Complement the colors of your neighborhood – If you want to avoid standing out too much, you should pick out the door color according to your neighbors’ choice. When you want to respect the visual style of your surroundings but stay unique, you should pick out the color that fits the existing color scheme but has a personal touch.

Add Your Style

• Your favorite color – In most cases, you can choose the front door painted in your favorite color. If it matches the facade and surroundings, it will be an ideal option.
• Alter the shade – No matter what color you like, you should be careful with the shades when you decide to paint your front door. In some cases, you should avoid your favorite color since it can ruin the entire appearance of the house. For example, if your facade is light green, you should avoid the purple door even though you like it.
• High-gloss color – If your facade is in muted shades, you should pick out a high-gloss color for your front door. It is a perfect way to highlight it. Another option is to use a bold muted color for the door to complement the house’s muted shade.
• Striking color – If you want your door to be highly recognizable, you should think about bolder shades, such as orange, bright blue, or purple. They can produce quite a dramatic effect. Still, avoid fluorescent or too bright colors since they can seem quite kitschy.

Match the Door Color with the Home’s Style

• Traditional home – This type requires vibrant and deep door colors, including navy, dark red, brown, and black. In such a case, you should stay away from contemporary bright shades. An exception is old-fashioned farmhouses with the door painted in a bright red. It is a sign of traditional welcome in the US.
• Contemporary home – If you have a modern, bright-colored home, you should improve its neutral tone with bolder shades for the door. The best options are yellow, bright red, and blue. Also, you can consider sophisticated black, burgundy, navy, or plum shade.

Summary

There is no rule for painting a front door, and you shouldn’t hesitate to break tradition. Always chose the color you like the most, but try to match it with the facade color.

Keep in mind that changing the door color is a quick and inexpensive way to refresh your entryway. Plus, it will say a lot about your home and you as a homeowner.