Avoid Painting Your Front Door These 3 Colors (And What To Choose Instead)

Your front door connects your home to the world and makes a statement, and the entrance to your home is the first thing people see when visiting or driving by. This simple accent on your home welcomes visitors, enhances curb appeal, and displays your personality, so it's important to use it to make a good first impression. When choosing paint for the entry door, there are certain colors to avoid, such as bright red, cement gray, and olive green, as well as others that help make your door a focal point.

Fresh paint in a new color is a fast and low-cost way to elevate the exterior of your home and help your front door stand out. Whether you are painting the door to prepare your home for sale or just want to refresh the exterior of the house, it is important to select the right color and the perfect paint finish for your front door. Consider the latest trends, colors to avoid, and the color and architectural style of your home to make the right choice. 

If you are freshening up the exterior of your home in preparation for sale, you may want to consider how color choice can impact your home's value and marketability. According to research at Zillow, the color of your front door can deter buyers and might even result in a lower selling price. They found that bright red, cement gray, and olive green result in lower offers from buyers. Buyers are often less interested in touring homes with bright red front doors than other colors.

Gray can work well inside the home, but it often seems drab on the front door. A gray front door can feel dull and less inviting, especially with some architectural styles and home exterior colors. For example, gray is a front door paint color you should avoid if you have a white house. A gray door against a white house lacks contrast, won't draw the attention of visitors, and doesn't create a welcoming environment.

Olive green has problems similar to gray. This shade of green has a dull appearance and lacks the contrast that may be wanted to make the entrance of your home stand out. In addition, olive can be difficult to match with other colors, so this subtle green may look off against the exterior of your home. 

When selecting the color for your front door, you may be drawn to trendy front door colors or prefer to stick with a classic, neutral hue. Black is a classic, elegant, and timeless choice. On the other end of the neutral color spectrum, white has a clean aesthetic. The downside is that white needs upkeep to stay crisp and clean. This blank slate color will get dirty more easily and shows every mark, unlike black.

Nature-inspired colors are a good choice if you live near or are surrounded by nature. All greens don't need to be avoided. A forest green or sage green can provide a connection to nature that fits in with the surroundings. Blue offers calmness and tranquility that invokes images of water and the sky. There are many options for a blue front door, from lighter gray blues to a sophisticated navy.

If you want to make a statement, consider bolder color choices, such as brighter shades of green, blue, turquoise, or a sunny yellow. The style and color palette of the exterior of your home can guide your choices. For a lighter or neutral house, you may want more color on the front door. Ultimately, the best choice will be the color that best reflects your personal style, the architectural style of your home, and the surrounding landscape.