Your front door is the focal point of your home’s exterior. It’s the first thing guests see when they arrive, so choosing the right color is key to making a great first impression. But with so many color options to choose from, deciding on the perfect front door color can be overwhelming. Follow this guide full of expert tips to pick a front door shade you’ll love.
Consider Your Home’s Exterior Style and Colors
When selecting a front door color, you’ll want to consider the style and existing colors of your home’s exterior. Matching the door to the exterior creates a cohesive, pulled-together look.
For Traditional Exteriors
If your home has a more traditional design, opt for classic front door colors like black, navy, red, green, gray, or white. These traditional shades complement traditional architecture. For a colonial style home, white or black are timeless options. For Cape Cod inspired homes, red and navy blue work well.
For Modern Exteriors
If you have a contemporary home, think about sleek modern front door colors like gray, bright white, or charcoal. Monochromatic shades keep the look streamlined. Bold pops of color like orange, yellow, or turquoise also make great choices for modern exteriors.
Coordinate with Existing Trim and Siding
Take a look at the existing trim and siding on your home. Choosing a front door color that complements the trim provides continuity. For example, white trim pairs nicely with a navy blue door. Gray siding can be matched with a maroon door for contrast. Coordinate, don’t match, for the most eye-catching results.
Consider the Landscaping
Your home’s landscaping also influences front door color selection. If you have vibrant flowering shrubs or trees near the entrance, opt for a more understated door in a neutral shade so the landscaping can take center stage. For sparse landscaping, make the door a focal point with a dramatic, saturated hue.
Pick Colors that Complement Your Home’s Style
Along with the exterior, take the architectural style of your home into account when selecting a front door color. Certain colors work better for different styles.
For Colonial Style Homes
Traditional or muted tones like black, white, gray, red, and blue are ideal for most colonial style homes. Stay away from bold shades to keep the classic look.
For Cape Cod Style Homes
Cape Cod homes feature straightforward styling. Red, white, navy, forest green, and black are classic Cape Cod front door colors. Bright yellow also pops against white siding.
For Farmhouse Style Homes
Brave bright shades like cherry red, turquoise, navy, and yellow suit farmhouse homes. Soft sage green and muted sienna are charming farmhouse front door colors as well.
For Craftsman Style Homes
Craftsman style homes feature earthy vibes. Try shades like olive, deep green, brown, slate gray, rusty red, or muted yellow on a Craftsman front door.
For Mediterranean Style Homes
Mediterranean homes call for saturated shades that reflect the colors of the Mediterranean region. Think bright blue, terra cotta, vibrant yellow, or pops of orange on the door.
For Victorian Style Homes
The bold detailing of Victorian architecture can handle equally bold front door colors. Jewel-tones like ruby red, sapphire blue, and emerald green complement Victorian style.
Choose a Color that Suits Your Region
Believe it or not, geography should influence your front door color selection. Certain shades work better in different regions and climates.
Hot, Sunny Climates
If you live in a hot, dry climate that gets lots of sun, light colors are ideal. White, pale yellow, mint, sage, and sky blue doors reflect heat and keep the entry cooler. Darker colors tend to absorb too much sunlight and heat in hot regions.
Cool, Gray Climates
For cooler regions with overcast skies, make a statement with darker saturated front door colors. Black, navy, maroon, and forest green hold up well against gray weather and lack of sunlight.
Four Season Climates
If you live in an area with distinctive seasons, consider a front door color that transitions well. Shades like brick red, olive green, slate blue, and charcoal work in all seasons. Or, opt for a bright color to contrast with white winter landscapes.
Coastal Regions
Homes in coastal areas suit bright, nautical inspired front doors. Shades like navy, light blue, seafoam green, and sunny yellow complement beachy architecture. Just avoid rust-prone steel colors.
Choose Colors Based on Sun Exposure
The amount of sunlight your front door receives should guide color selection. North facing doors get less direct sun, while south facing doors get more. East and west facing doors fall somewhere in between.
North Facing Doors
North facing doors don’t get much direct sunlight, so they can pull off darker shades that would fade faster with lots of sun exposure. Deep colors like navy, emerald, maroon, and black are great north facing options.
South Facing Doors
South facing front doors get a good dose of sunlight. Lighter more sun-resistant colors are best, like white, sky blue, pale yellow, and light grays. Avoid darker colors as they can fade.
East/West Facing Doors
East and west facing front doors get some morning or afternoon sun but not constant direct exposure. Mid-tone colors that can handle some sunlight work well, like sage green, light teal, brick red, and slate gray.
Use Color to Create Curb Appeal
Strategic use of color can help boost your home’s curb appeal. Certain shade choices make the entry more inviting.
Warm, Welcoming Colors
Warm red, yellow, and orange based front door colors evoke a sense of welcoming comfort. Shades like ruby red, sunflower yellow, and rust orange make guests feel at home.
Cool, Calming Colors
Cool blue, green, and purple hues create a more relaxing vibe. Light blue, sage green, and soft lilac front doors feel calming and peaceful.
Bright, Eye-Catching Colors
Vibrant front door colors in deep, saturated shades make the entry pop. Jewel-tone colors like sapphire, emerald, and amethyst draw the eye with bold curb appeal.
Neutral Colors
Stick with neutral front door colors like white, black, gray, and brown for a more subtle look. While neutral, these flexible shades still provide character.
Contrasting Colors
Go bold with a front door in a shade that contrasts your home’s siding. For example, a cherry red door against gray siding really stands out.
Consider Practical Factors
Beyond aesthetics, practical elements like material, maintenance, and sunlight exposure should guide front door color selection.
Material
Consider the door’s material when choosing a color. For example, steel doors can handle dark colors that might damage wood over time. Fiberglass holds paint better than steel.
Maintenance
Lower maintenance colors are ideal for front doors, as they take more of a beating from weather and use than other exterior elements. Opt for darker stains on wood doors and darker paints that hide wear.
Energy Efficiency
Lighter front door colors reflect more sunlight, helping keep your home cooler in summer. Darker colors absorb heat and can lead to a warmer entryway.
Fading
Some materials and colors are more prone to fading. For example, steel blues and grays corrode over time. Red is also prone to fading. Opt for fade-resistant choices like yellows, blues, and greens.
Seek Help from the Experts
If you’re still stumped on selecting the perfect front door color, turn to the experts for help. Interior designers can identify hues that work with your home’s style. Paint retailers like Sherwin Williams have advanced color selection tools to find complementary shades. Hardware stores can also provide inspiration.
Or, use technology to virtually test colors. Apps like Sherwin Williams ColorSnap and Benjamin Moore Color Portfolio allow you to “paint” different hues on a photo of your home’s exterior to preview options. This takes the guesswork out of the decision.
Test Colors Before Committing
Before investing in a permanent stained or painted front door, test out the color. Paint large foam boards or poster boards in colors you’re considering and prop them in your entryway. See how the shades look at different times of day. This allows you to make an informed decision.
You can also use this testing method on an existing painted door before committing to a new permanent stain. Tape up coated paper samples to find appealing color combinations.
Change Color with the Seasons
Switching up your front door color is a fun way to usher in a new season. Use lighter shades in spring and summer for a cheerful vibe. Transition to deeper hues like maroon or navy in fall and winter.
If you don’t want to fully repaint the door, add a fresh seasonal wreath in complementing shades. Or install removable wraps during different times of the year for an instant color change.
Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing a Front Door Color
Still have questions about selecting the perfect front door color? Here are answers to some common queries.
What is the most popular front door color?
Black and white remain the most popular front door colors. Basic black exudes classic sophistication. Crisp white provides versatility and brightens up any exterior.
What color front door increases home value?
While any well-maintained door helps home value, red front doors traditionally add extra curb appeal. Red evokes classic Americana vibes. Black and blue also boost value with timeless appeal.
What is the warmest color for a front door?
Warm yellow, orange, and red based tones make the coziest front door colors. Think sunflower yellow, brick red, burnt orange, coral, and terra cotta. These fiery shades give off a warm, welcoming vibe.
What color front door is in style 2022?
In 2022, dark moody hues are having a major moment. Deep green, black, navy, charcoal, and chocolate brown front doors provide drama. Bold yellow and vibrant red also remain stylish front door colors this year.
What color door is good luck?
In feng shui principles, red front doors represent good fortune and positive energy. The vibrant shade attracts luck and prosperity. Orange and purple doors also bring luck.
What color door should I avoid?
Light colors show dirt easily, so avoid creamy whites and beiges. Trendy unconventional colors like pink can also date quickly. And steer clear of rust-prone steel blues and grays near oceans.
Choose the Perfect Color for Your Front Door
With this expert guidance, you should feel confident picking the ideal front door color for your home’s exterior. Consider the style of your home, geographic location, sun exposure, and practical factors when making your selection. Then test out top choices before fully committing. Follow these tips to choose a shade you’ll love coming home to everyday. A fresh coat of colorful paint or stain can entirely transform your home’s curb appeal.
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect front door color is an impactful exterior design decision. With so many factors to weigh, it can feel overwhelming. But by considering your home’s existing style, climate, sun exposure, and practical needs, you can select a shade that suits your space. Test out top color contenders to make an informed decision. Follow this expert advice to pick a winning front door hue that makes a fantastic first impression on your home. The right pop of color sets the stage for welcoming curb appeal. So take your time, do your research, and feel confident as you paint or stain your front entryway in a shade you’ll love.