Want to Paint Your Front Door? 6 Do’s and Don’ts You Need to Know First
Color-loving designers share their painting secrets.
It’s not up for debate: Your front door is a lot more than a mere threshold that separates your yard and interiors. Sure, it offers security and privacy, but it’s also the first touchpoint every guest has with your personal style. You know, a little sneak peek of what’s to come when you finally step inside. Since even passers-by will take note of your front door, shouldn’t it be as stylish as possible?
If you want to up your curb appeal, painting your door a new shade is an easy, time-efficient, and affordable tweak. Plus, if you choose the right hue, a pigmented portal can even increase your home’s value.
The catch? While there are many pros to painting your front door, it’s also very easy to get it wrong. That’s exactly why we asked a few designers to share their biggest do’s and don’ts for taking on this DIY project. Heed their advice and your threshold will make a lasting impact.
DO Consider Your Environment
While your front door should stand out, San Diego-based designer Selena Reif says this feature is only one part of your home’s curb appeal.
“You want to consider the style, architecture, and palette of your home when choosing a color,” she explains. “Never pick a color in isolation: It needs to support the overall aesthetic of your home.”
For a commanding-yet-cohesive color, Katie Goodrich of Ivory & Bone uses Canva’s color palette generator. “You can upload a photo of your existing architecture and it will create a complementary set of colors,” the Massachusetts designer shares. “Leading with a color strategy, instead of a gut feeling, almost always produces a more polished result.”
DON’T Discount Your Interiors
Want to create contrast? Here’s your sign to look inward...literally. “We always connect color selection with interior decor choices to begin the design narrative before anyone steps foot inside,” says Courtney B. Smith, who splits her time between Northern California and Massachusetts. “A visitor should be able to stand at your curb and glean something from the color of your front door. Give them something to talk about!”
Though you want to make a statement, Reif says it’s important to avoid shock value. “The best choice for your front door color isn’t necessarily the boldest one, it’s the one that feels like it was always meant to be there,” she explains. While a dark blue door against yellow siding might seem unconventional, it will make total sense in blue-tinged interiors.
DO Assess Your Shade
Good things come to those who wait—including the perfect front door paint color. “Paint reads very differently outside than it does in, and also very differently at different times of day,” Reif says. “Paint a few test swatches then go out to look at them in the morning, middle of the day, and evening so you can see how the color in different light.”
Another thing to consider, says Katie Bromley of Spaces by Katie, is the climate. “Make sure you think about the light and weather exposure that your door faces, as this can result in weathering and fading over time.”
DON’T Leave Your Door Uncovered
Speaking of the weather, Seth Ballard of Ballard & Mensua Architecture in Washington, D.C. says it’s important to protect your front door from the elements. “For any paint to last, it is most ideal to have at least a portico covering the entrance,” he says. “The larger the overhang or porch to provide more protection from the sun and weather, the better.”
If your entry doesn’t have a robust awning, Ballard encourages you to stick with lighter colors. “Black is a good door color, but I would avoid it if there is little cover and more exposure to the sun,” he says. “Same situation for all dark colors.”
DO Factor in Finish
Found the perfect paint shade? Good, now it’s time to think about the finish. Unlike your interiors—where a handful of factors can determine the age-old glossy versus matte debate—Bromley says a front door’s finish is often informed by the architecture.
“A high-gloss lacquered finish can be striking, but can lean formal and works best on a traditional home,” she explains. “For example, adding a lacquered door to a craftsman or cottage-style home could look out of sync with the rest of the home and feel jarring.”
For more contemporary spaces, Ballard recommends a semi-gloss coating because it will “make the door more cleanable and it will hold up better over time.”
DON’T Rush the Process
You might be excited to paint your door a new hue, but the painting process should be as thoughtful as choosing the color in the first place. Paint doesn’t adhere well in extreme temperatures or ultra-humid days, so you’ll want to find a sunny, dry weekend to tackle this DIY project. Your paint will dry faster than, say, your house’s siding; however, taking on this task during a streak of beautiful weather will give your some peace of mind.
Equally important is the prep work: Ballard says sanding, washing, priming, and filling up any cracks is integral. While you could do it yourself, he adds there’s nothing wrong with hiring a professional for the job.
If you’re going to spend all this time, money, and effort painting your front door, Caroline Kopp begs you to clean your entry. “It’s a waste of time to paint your door if you are not going to bother to clean the stoop,” explains the Wesport, Connecticut, designer. “I always notice this when people’s exterior doorways are covered in cobwebs and particulate matter. Get out the vacuum, people!”
Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance journalist who has over a decade of experience in print and digital media. She covers interior design and lifestyle content for a breadth of publications, including Good Housekeeping, Country Living, House Beautiful, Veranda, and more. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos.
Readers Also Read
22 Chic Front Door Colors for Curb Appeal
Get Our Perfect Roast Turkey Recipe
How to Thaw Frozen Turkey
7 Smart Upgrades That Boost Your Home’s Value
