- Painting your front door can make it harder to sell your house by narrowing the number of people interested.
- Painting your front door could be against rules, cause tension with neighbors, or be a greater undertaking than expected.
- If you still want to paint your front door, do research and a thorough job the first time to avoid issues in the future.
As inviting as a colorful front door might be in theory, it’s not always the best idea in practice—especially if you’re gearing up to sell your home.
With this in mind, we chatted with a few real estate pros who shared their thoughts, the potential risks, and how to approach painting your front door with resale value in mind.
It Might Decrease Home Value
On the one hand, home staging expert Liv Conlon says a bold or trendy front door can help a real estate listing stand out. But alternatively, it could narrow your scope of interested buyers.
“Neutral and classic colors like black, navy, and deep red tend to perform best, while more adventurous choices could turn buyers away,” she says.
Replacing the Door Might Be Better
If resale value is a major consideration, you might want to do more than paint your current front door. Real estate pro Jeff Lichtenstein says replacing the front door entirely could be a better option.
“The best [return on investment] for a front door is a French door,” he says. “It brings added light into the house and adds dimension when you first see it.”
You Could Break HOA Rules
If you live in a neighborhood with a homeowners association—also known as an HOA—then you probably already know about their strict guidelines on home exteriors. But if you’re moving into a new home with an HOA, then it’s good to know in advance that you might not be allowed to paint your front door certain colors.
“Painting your door an unapproved color could mean costly fines or even being forced to repaint it back to an approved shade,” says Conlon.
Even without an HOA, Conlon says you might face tension with your neighbors if there are unspoken style norms.
“A bold choice could make your home look out of place,” she says.
Your Color Choice Might Not Age Well
Maybe you love the idea of a bright yellow door now, but how will it look in a year? Or when you’re ready to sell? Conlon says these are questions worth asking yourself before you whip out the paintbrush.
“If you’re planning to stay put for years, go for what you love,” she says. “But if you might move, it’s worth thinking twice about anything too unusual.”
A Bad Paint Job Could Cause a Big Headache
Even in mild climates, your home’s exterior is subjected to the elements, which means painting your front door requires a bit more care and consideration than interior walls.
“If the surface isn’t properly prepped or the right type of paint isn’t used, it can start peeling or fading surprisingly quickly,” warns Conlon.
This could lead to regular retouches, which might be a headache; if you do decide to paint your front door, make sure you do it well.
Why You Should Actually Paint Your Front Door
In some cases, painting your front door might be a good idea. It’s important to assess your situation, and consider if any of the below apply.
You’re Going From Bold to Neutral
Painting a neutral door a bold color can have a negative impact, but the opposite can actually benefit your home’s value.
“Homes with certain front door colors, like slate blue, can sell for thousands more,” says Conlon.
If you’re dealing with a currently trendy front door color, then a coat of paint is actually worth considering.
Because You Want To
Of course, when it comes down to it, it’s your home. If you’ve always dreamed of having a pink door, you should have the pink door.
But Conlon still suggests approaching your paint job with a bit of planning. She suggests testing the color first and looking at it throughout various points in the day, and using quality materials.
“A good primer and durable exterior paint will help the finish last,” she says.
A Simple Refresh Didn’t Help
If your current door looks weathered and worse for the wear, Conlon suggests giving the whole thing a scrub down, and maybe even replacing the hardware.
“A deep clean or a new door handle can sometimes freshen things up just as much as a coat of paint,” she says.
But if you find this doesn’t have the desired effect, then trust your gut. It might be time to paint your front door.