The Basics Of How To Pick Your Front Door Color

Time for an entryway refresh but unsure of how to pick your new front door color? This article from Rescom Exteriors pros will help you find the perfect hue.

You understand how important your home’s entryway is, which is why you want to give it a colorful refresh. Maybe you’re just looking to paint it or invest in a brand new model to take your curb appeal to new heights.

Whatever the case is, let’s talk about the basics. After close to 30 years of helping New England homeowners with their exterior remodeling goals, we’ve seen it all.

First, a couple of quick tips to get us started:

Tip #1: Do you live in a neighborhood with a homeowners association or Codes, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs)? If so, you’ll need to check and see if any door color options are completely off the table. While it might seem unfair, these areas are looking to create a consistent, cohesive look to the neighborhood.

Tip #2: Your front door doesn’t need to perfectly match the main color of your home or your home’s trim. But…you don’t want it to clash. Make sure to consider both your hardscapes and surrounding landscapes (gardens, landscaping, walkways, etc.).

Now, that said, did you know there are literally…millions of colors out there in the world?

Thankfully, you only need to wade through a tiny fraction.

Most folks want their front door to blend in well with their home’s styling and architecture, while at the same time being a bit of a welcome beacon for visitors. But let’s face it, not all of us are blessed with the ‘decorative ability’.

And since you’re here reading this right now, chances are you’re looking for at least a little helpful perspective.

Basic Rules Of Thumb

A basic rule of thumb of ours that’s echoed by all the big players in the home remodeling world like Better Homes & Gardens when it comes to that ‘classic’ look:

“Use a neutral hue such as brown, black, or gray for a look that will withstand the test of time. Even deep reds and navy blues are classic front door colors that act as neutrals.”

You’re going to want to start your search with the most common colors. You’ve seen them all endless times, and you’re quite familiar. The most common colors are:

• White
• Yellow
• Orange
• Blue
• Indigo
• Purple
• Red
• Black
• Green
• Turquoise

These are your foundation. Although honestly, most homeowners are looking for a little something extra than old ordinary ‘red’ or ‘navy blue’. And that’s good, you shouldn’t be afraid of color. Bright isn’t always bad. If you’re actually painting your door, there’s no reason not to experiment. It’s a small part of the house.

• Remember, if your home and the area surrounding your entryway are darker, then try a lighter color — and vice versa.

So, you can start with a classic common color and then experiment with different shades and hues to see where you lean, and what looks works well with your home. We can’t tell you in this article what the perfect color is, but it’s likely to be just a couple of shades away from a core color.

Now let’s talk about brand new, custom manufactured doors.

Choose A Specialist Door Company

Door companies like Rescom Exteriors have helped thousands of families deal with the color question. It’s par for the course. We know our manufacturer’s doors and door colors extremely well: Bristol.

All manufacturers are different, but their color sets are always right in line with what will look outstanding on most homes these days. Here are their current paint and stain options.

Common Paint Colors

Available in Alpine White, Egg Shell Cream, Dormer Brown, Homestead Brown, Chocolate Chip Brown, Honey Bee, Allspice, Mason Brick, Ember Red, Burgundy, Grecian Green, Teal, Polymer Blue, Jay Blue, Bar Harbor, Fashion Grey, and Jet Black (trim only)*

Three Common Stains

Available in Oak, Walnut, Mahogany*

Your entry door contractor will come to your home and walk you through all the colors you can use to customize the door. What if you want it painted on the inside and stained on the exterior? Great! When you work with factory experts rather than trying to DIY the project, you get industrial-grade finishes, perfectly formulated for a superior look.

Three benefits New England homeowners appreciate about Bristol’s entry doors are:

• High-resistance agents for strength against scratches and chipping.
• Low-gloss protective additives for a long-lasting sheen.
• Sunscreen additives protect from harmful ultraviolet rays.

Bottom Line: When In (Too Much) Doubt, Contact The Professionals

Option #1 – DIY: Start with a basic color and then experiment as much as it takes to find the right shade or hue. No one can really tell you what the perfect color will be.

Option #2 – New Entry Door: Work with an expert door company or exterior remodeling company that has installed tens of thousands of doors and helped thousands of families choose the picture-perfect color.

If you’re a New England homeowner, Contact Rescom Exteriors today. We’ll be happy to send a product specialist out to your house to help with all your design concerns, answer all your questions, and give you a rock-solid quote. Thanks for your time today.