Published on August 4th, 2022

Last updated on February 6th, 2023

How To Choose A Front Door Color And What They Say About The House Owner

Estimated reading time: 14 minutes
white front door color

The front door is the first thing people pay attention to when entering your house. Perhaps you assure others that the most important thing is the interior, but the appearance of your home from the outside is also crucial. Painted exterior doors can completely change the look of your house. You only need to change the shade, and that’s it, and the exterior will change. But how to pick a front door color?

Front door color can affect your mood. You are pleased to enter when you return from work or the store and see a harmoniously combined door with the exterior and interior. But when the color of the front door doesn’t match the details of the house, and it is in the shade you don’t like. It won’t make you feel positive. So, you need to think clearly about which color will suit your house because it affects many things.

Why Is Front Door Color Essential?

purple front door

The color you choose is not only about fashion and a beautiful appearance from the outside. Painted exterior doors can say a lot about the person who lives behind these doors. When guests come to your front door, they immediately have a picture in their heads of what is inside your house. They create an image of you and your style. Therefore, it is crucial to convey to people the atmosphere of your home and a part of yourself. Because when they go inside, all your energy goes to them. They can sense your emotions and mood right through the front door. You may think it’s nonsense, but it is true. Colors have the ability to relax, motivate or calm people down. Now you understand why the color of the front door is so important. For example:

  1. If you want to convey confidence, choose bright colors;
  2. If you want to convey calmness, choose gentle colors;
  3. If you want to convey joy and fun, choose pink. 

As you see, each shade has its meaning and impact on people. That is why it is so crucial.

How To Decide On A Front Door Color?

Each of you probably wants your house to look good from the inside and outside. But for this, you need to find out some nuances. Therefore, read the following points that will facilitate your decision about color:

StepWhat to do?
1. Determine the shadeWhen choosing a color for your front door, you need to think not specifically about which color you like but decide whether you want something bright to stand out and be noticeable or something soft in pastel colors. Do you want light or dark shades? There are no objections to choosing a color. You can choose the one you like. But first, decide in such a way.
2. ExperimentBe creative in painting the front door and try combining colors as desired. If the door is bright, then paint it unusually and interestingly. It means you can draw something in patterns or highlight individual details of the entrance door with paint. In general, do not be afraid to experiment and be original.
3. Think about whether the colors match each otherOf course, you can implement all your front door color ideas and paint in a way no one has done before you. Paint it black, red, whatever you want. But before that, you should be sure that your painted exterior doors are combined with other colors of the house. Do you think a green front door would suit a blue house? Probably not. Therefore, solve such questions in advance. And also, pay attention to whether the front door color matches your interior. They should also go together.
4. Add decorationsIf you know what atmosphere you want to convey to people with your door, you can complement it with decorations. You can create anything with your own hands or go to a store and consult a designer. But if you know what you want, do it yourself. Add, for example, some beautiful flowers or exquisite wreaths to the front door. It will give even more beauty and a cozy atmosphere.
5. Remember the classicsIf you have doubts about painting the front door in the colors you have chosen, it is better to use the classic style. Classics are always in fashion and look beautiful from the outside. So, focus on the color of your house and choose a classic shade for it. It can be black, gray, white or brown. The combination of classics will give style to your home.

So, go through these points before choosing a front door color; it will be easier for you to decide. When selecting a shade, you need to consider all the details carefully because, with the slightest mistake in selecting a color, you can completely spoil the look of your house. So take it seriously. But if you are unsure about selecting a color, you can contact a designer who will give you examples of painting front door colors. It will make your choice easier, making the door look aesthetically pleasing.

Tips For Choosing Front Door Color

wooden door

Still thinking about the color? Still can’t decide and don’t know whether this or that shade will suit your front door. The following tips are special for you:

Don’t Choose Paint Indoors

The paint has the ability to change depending on the lighting. Indoors, it can be dark blue, and outside it can be light blue. So, look at the paint in the intended environment. You can tape a paint sample to your front door and watch it throughout the day. It will make it quicker to understand whether this color suits you.

Choose A Quality Paint

Your front door color is affected by various external stimuli. For example, the sun can cause paint to fade, and trees such as walnut trees can cause your door to turn green. Therefore, consider these nuances and choose a painting that will not be subject to these irritants. It should be of high quality and not exfoliate. A good option would be semi-gloss paint because scratches and other imperfections are not very visible on it. Matte and glossy colors, on the contrary, are more sensitive to such things. Although if the paint is of high quality, the painted exterior doors will last for a long time.

Use Monochrome

If your house is not too big and you want to enlarge it visually, paint the front door in monochrome. Use the same color for doors, window frames, and exterior. It will be monotonous, but the look will be aesthetic. And if you desire to hang decorations at the entrance, they will stand out even more against the monochrome background.

Follow The Style

Painted exterior doors affect the overall picture of your home. And if the color does not match the house’s exterior, it will not look aesthetic, so it is better to stick to a particular style. But style is not about all colors having to be the same or similar. The shades can be different, but they must match each other. For instance, If you have a house of delicate light color, but bright pink doors are suitable for it – do it. The main things are combination and atmosphere.

Focus On The Materials Of The House

Each material looks individual, and the doors will look different in their background. For example, any door will stand out if your house is wooden. If the house is made of bricks, bright paint will look beautiful against the background. So choose a specific style for your material.

Pay Attention To The Nature Around

Front door color ideas are very diverse, but deciding on them is difficult. If you cannot choose a color based on the exterior, look at the nature near your house. Maybe there are green trees or orange flowers that will go well with the front door colors. With the help of such little things, you can organize a beautiful atmospheric view.

Paint The Trim

If you want your door to stand out more, paint the door trim in a different color. The most popular colors are white, gray, and brown. These are neutral colors that match all entries and at the same time, make them stylish. But if you wish, you can make the front door color the same as the trim.

Use The Color Wheel

It is a convenient tool that will help you solve everything yourself. This is a diagram that shows all the shades and on which you can see which colors go together. The color wheel can be found both at designers and on the Internet. You can roughly sketch the image of your shades or choose another. 

Don’t Throw Away Wooden Doors

Most people think that wooden doors have lost popularity and look old-fashioned. But if you choose the right shade for them, they will serve you for several more years. Painted exterior wooden doors convey a warm atmosphere, so do not rush to change them. In case if you want to insert new ones, repaint the wooden ones and insert them in another place.

As you can see, painting the front door will quickly give you an effective renewal of the exterior, but it takes a lot of time to choose the right color. But don’t focus on one door. Pay attention to external objects, or look at neighbors’ doors. Look at everything from different angles, and then the choice will be easier.

orange front door

There are no rules for choosing a color. But everyone wants their house to look stylish and original, so they try to do everything fashionably. Everyone once bought something not because they like it, but because it is in fashion. The same goes for colors. Whenever any color becomes popular, we immediately buy it without thinking about whether it will fit. So that you do not have a situation when you buy and it does not suit you, we have prepared for you a list of fashionable colors that are suitable for all front doors:

PinkIt is the brightest color among pastels. It conveys an atmosphere of joy and gives the exterior softness. Makes the door elegant and aesthetic. It goes well with light colors such as gray, white, or beige. If you have houses in such tones, then you can be sure to use pink.
VioletIf you want to highlight your front door color and make it stand out, then this shade is for you. Although it is not popular, it portrays you as a creative person with a magical atmosphere. This dark purple color can combine with neutral colors.
Dark blueBlue has many shades, but dark blue gives style to your house. It is a neutral and bright color at the same time. When you paint the doors in dark blue, they look in a classic style, but if you look at them from afar, you will notice how they stand out. It is suitable for those who do not want a significant contrast and on the contrary, a fresh and refined style.
TurquoiseLet’s say this color is not suitable for all doors. It is a rich, bright color that blends with the sky and conveys calm and peace. Your guests will enter the house with a smile because this shade conveys positivity. If your exterior is a neutral color, then painted turquoise exterior doors will fit perfectly there.
GreenIt is ideal for red brick houses. It gives style and beautifully combines the exterior with other house details. Also, green will connect with nature around and convey calmness with silence.
RedPainting front doors in red colors has become popular in recent times. They give rigor and confidence to your style and go well with neutral or brown colors. Primarily, if the doors are red and glass, they immediately depict sophistication and convey an energetic atmosphere.
OrangeIt is not the most popular color but it goes well with brown, beige, and other neutral colors. The orange front door conveys warmth and coziness. If you decide to paint your front door in this color, you will stand out among the other houses on your street. Good energy will flow from you.
Black Black fits perfectly with white. If your house is in light colors, you can paint your door black. It will give visual spaciousness to your home. But be careful because it is easy to spoil the exterior with black, so stick to the balance between colors. It will also be good to complement the black door with small decorative elements.
WhiteAlthough this color gets dirty quickly, it has an exquisite look. White, in combination with pastel colors, gives lightness and brevity. Also, it is well suited for a minimalist style.

There are many front door color ideas, but it is challenging to use them because for this, you need to know about their combination. And the rule of combining colors in the exterior is entirely different from the combination in clothes. Therefore, if it is difficult for you to understand why your red does not go well with green, then it is better to look at the palette of color combinations. It will help you cope with a difficult choice.

red front door
  1. Red: symbolizes optimism and confidence. We associate red with love, but a door with a rich red color conveys leadership and intense energy. Light red, on the contrary, depicts romance and joy. Both red colors attract luck to your house;
  2. Green: symbolizes harmony and peace. This color indicates that you are an ambitious person with big goals. If you choose green (olive) light color, this shows that you are a peaceful person that adheres to traditions;
  3. White: symbolizes tidy and organization. The white front door color conveys an atmosphere of simplicity and comfort. Calms emotions and shows the neatness of the house;
  4. Blue: symbolizes peace and trust. It will make the guests understand that they are entering a peaceful home with well-mannered people. If you want to convey erudition, choose a dark blue color;
  5. Orange: symbolizes energy and frankness. Conveys an atmosphere of fun and spontaneity. The orange front door is ideal for wise and confident people;
  6. Black: symbolizes strength and elegance. Black doors indicate self-control and mystery and convey relaxed energy to guests;
  7. Yellow: symbolizes optimism and cheerfulness. Yellow is usually chosen by people who enjoy life and love fun. Painted in yellow exterior doors can improve your mood and boost your enthusiasm;
  8. Violet: symbolizes freedom and dreaminess. Violet-colored doors will make guests smile because this color fills with fun. Usually, this color is suitable for people who like to lead and are good at self-control;
  9. Gray: symbolizes simplicity and formality. Painting your front door in gray color, know that people will perceive you as a serious and balanced person. When guests enter the gray door, they automatically show respect to you;
  10. Turquoise: symbolizes lightness and tenderness. Exterior doors painted in such color will make a good impression and make you seem like an unusual person.

If at least one color symbolizes you as a person and all its characteristics belong to you, think about whether it fits your facade. In fact, colors have a lot of meaning, each capable of creating a different atmosphere. When guests come to your house or passers-by from the street see your front door, they can feel the energy you have invested in this or that color. Most of the front door color ideas are focused on colors that are in fashion, but everyone does not always like them. So, we recommend you review the entire list of our colors and then think about what suits you and which color fully describes you.

How To Combine Front Door Color With Interior Colors?

To do this, focus on the walls of your interior, and think about what color will match them. Next, look at the floor and decide whether this or that color will fit there. If you have a laminate, it is much easier because almost all shades of the front door are suitable for it. Also, you can choose a color scheme based on your furniture. But if the colors do not match, you can decorate the door from the inside with decorations. 

Generally, focus on the floor and the color of the interior walls. And from the outside, take into account all the nuances, such as the material of the house, material of the door, surroundings, etc. If the color does not match the interior or exterior, the best option would be to paint them in a classic color because it is suitable for everything.

FAQ

Should the front door be lighter or darker than a house?

If the house is dark, choose light doors and vice versa. It will create a contrast for you, but you can do it differently. Unusual colors always attract attention.

Can you paint your front door in two different colors?

You can do it, but it’s hard to combine organically. Therefore, stick to the color scheme and do not use more than two colors.

Should the front door be the same color inside and out?

When you open the door, the inside of the door should be the same color. So you won’t lose the color gamut. But if you wish, you can change the front door color from the inside.

Do you paint the door frame the same color as the front door?

It depends on your taste. You can use different colors if you like contrasting the door and the door frame. For a monotonous style, you can paint in the same color.