Painting your front door is one of the best ways to make your home stand apart from its neighbors and give it a pop of personality. When the right color is chosen, it can enhance your curb appeal and give your home a warm, welcoming feel. However, there are a few paint colors that homeowners should stray away from to prevent issues like visible scuffs and marks or a dark and heavy look.
Ahead, experts share the top front door paints colors to stay away from, and what colors to use instead.
White
White is light and airy, but it can easily show scuffs and marks, especially on a front door that gets a lot of use.
“If your trim is white, a pure white door will fail to pop and lacks personality,” says Erin Tripodi, the founder of Erin Tripodi Design.
If you want to stay light and bright, Tripodi suggests trying a richer color like Farrow and Ball’s Dimity or Stirabout.
Yellow
While yellow may make you think of sunnier, warmer days, but it’s a “tricky color,” says Candis Stratton, the owner and principal designer at Stratton Interiors.
“It’s so easy to get wrong and so hard to get right,” she says.
Butter yellow, for example, can easily show any wear and tear, similar to white. If you want a soft color on your front door, Stratton suggests opting for a cream color. It’s warm, classic, and sophisticated while still adding a layer of depth.
Jet Black
Black is bold and striking, and while every room in your house could benefit from having some black in it, it can be a tad too aggressive for a front door.
However, if you’re set on having a black front door, consider something a little less harsh.
“Jet black reads contractor grade,” says Tripodi. “Go for something a little more muted like Railings by Farrow and Ball or Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore.”
These are understated alternatives that will still give your front door that classic and sophisticated feel.
Any Color That Blends in With Surrounding Materials
The last thing you want is for your front door to blend into its surroundings. If your home is constructed from red brick, you don’t want to paint your front door a terracotta or brown color.
“Think of a color that is on the opposite side of the color wheel, like green, and paint it a contrasting color,” says Tripodi.
Not only will this help your front door stick out, but it’ll also give your home a little more flair and character.
Neon Colors
Neon colors like yellow, orange, or green may seem like a good idea at first, especially if you’re looking to stand apart from your neighbors, “but they can be a bit shocking for on-comers who view it, especially if you live in a suburban neighborhood,” says Chastity Centeno, an interior designer and owner of Riese Design.
Centeno instead suggests painting your front door colors like navy blue or even forest green.
“These are all colors that blend organically with the outside environment and make the front elevation of a home shine,” she says.