Choosing Front Door Colors Helpful Tips

Green Catnip Door

Green, Also Known as Catnip

A popular paint color for front doors, Catnip or some shade of green goes with any house that is white, tan, beige, brown, yellow, or red. Some houses in some shades of blue may work well with certain shades of green doors, but you have to pair it just right. Green doors work well with brick homes too because the green gives the brick facade a pop of unexpected color. Green doors are inviting and pleasant to see, and this color has long been associated with calm, soothing feelings.

Apple-a-Day Painted Door

Red, or Apple-a-Day

Deep apple reds are popular colors for front doors because red is such an unexpected color for an entrance. Your house could be the most drab color on the block, but that red door immediately grabs people's attention. If it is the only red door on the block, then you can easily direct first-time visitors to the house with the red door and they will find you. Reds are also nice because you can't see dirt on them very well. Paint your front door Apple a Day red if your house is any shade of gray, white, cream, tan, beige, or brown.

Jamaican Dream Blue Door

Blues: Country House Blue, Chinese Porcelain or Daring Indigo

Blue paint color can be as calming as green. Country House Blue looks best with soft blue, white, or gray houses. Chinese Porcelain blue is deep and rich, and looks amazing on a bright white or pale gray home. Daring Indigo blue jumps out at you as much as any red door would, but with a calmer sense to the color. Use Indigo Blue on darker colored homes, typically medium to dark gray or dark brown homes. Any blue door can be striking on a cream-colored home too.

Cream Puff Painted Door

Cream Puff

A cream color paint like Cream Puff puts a touch of elegance to a door. It is not as stark as white, but it makes an impact on a home's appearance if the rest of the house is a darker color. It also lends itself well to a darker accent color, if you so choose.

6 Unexpected Colors

A fresh color on your front door updates your entire home’s personality. Here are six colors you may not have considered, but are unexpectedly inviting.

Olive Sprig

Though its reputation may be questionable (thanks to countless 1970s refrigerator doors), this color looks remarkably fresh and appealing in the right setting. The color picks up exterior greenery and plant shades beautifully too, so it works well for anyone honing their green thumb. To avoid any hint of neon or brashness, choose a shade that’s a little on the muted side, like Goody Gumdrop or Always Apple.

Cobalt Glaze

Bright and bold, this shade of blue calls out for a friendly visit and works beautifully with lots of different house styles and colors. It’s a good choice if you want something a little different without being too shocking. And the bonus of telling delivery guys “It’s the house with the bright blue door” is hard to resist! Try Shrinking Violet or Annapolis Blue.

Lilac Breeze

So perhaps you aren’t quite ready to go bold, but you don’t want to do white either. A very pale lavender color like Lavender Haze can read as white or grey and has just a hint of feminine color for warmth. Lighter shades can act as a neutral, beautifully complimenting the greens and blues found in nature. You can even add rich eggplant shades like Blackberry to accent your window boxes and bring out the lavender even further.

Field Poppy

A rust color is perfect for a more modern aesthetic. It has the warmth you want without being too cheeky. Paired with rich greys and blacks, it draws the eye right to the door. The key to doing this color right is making it the star of the show in an otherwise neutral palette. To adjust the brightness, you can always turn the brown up or down. Try Brown Clay or Indiana Clay.

Silent Ripple

Take a bright blue shade down a notch by adding a little green and grey to create this eye-catching shade that has personality for days. A mint blue like Seascape Green or Isle Royale is hard to miss, so it’s great for a house that doesn’t have other colors to compete with and works well if you want your door to stand out from afar. More muted versions will read like a verdigris shade, so they’re absolutely perfect when paired with copper accents.

Onyx

Painting a door black may not seem inviting, but it’s the go-to color for anyone who just can’t commit to brighter shades. A black like Black Magic partners wonderfully with just about any color or style of home, hiding dirt so well that it’s sure to look fresh, even after the worst weather. Using a high gloss finish adds sparkle and shine on sunny days.

If you follow these simple color tricks, you’ll instantly freshen up your home’s exterior, adding a personality that’s inviting with plenty of charm.

Paint Color Samples

Not Sure If a Color Is Right?

It's sometimes difficult to pick just the right color. If you can narrow it down to a color family (i.e., blues or reds), then you can select a couple of front door paint colors from that color family to test. You will paint small patches on your door with the sample colors and then stand back to see if you like any of your chosen colors for front doors. Whatever stands out to you, that's the color you should pick!

Front Door Color Inspiration