The 10 Best Paint Colors to Upgrade Your Front Door

Nothing boosts your home's curb appeal faster than a beautifully painted front door. Not only is it an affordable way to bring a pop of personality to the exterior of your home, but the updated requires just minimal work and the entire project can be completed in a weekend. "The front door is a real focal point of the exterior of your property," says Patrick O' Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball. "Painting it in one of your favorite colors can quickly upgrade its look."

When looking through color swatches, it's important to pick out a paint color that highlights both your unique style and your home's exterior. "Always take into account your surrounding elements when selecting paint for your door," says interior designer Becky Shea. "Consider your window mulling, ceilings, and everything that will live on your front porch so that there are no surprises when that bold or subtle door takes center stage."

Since your front door is the first thing that will greet guests arriving at your home, you'll also want to paint it in a color that sets the aesthetic tone for the rest of your space. "I always encourage people to sample a few different shades in the palette of interest," Shea says. "Even though the front door is a distinct area that allows for an element of surprise, it's important that in the end, everything works well together."

Not sure which paint color is right for your front door? We asked a few of our favorite color experts for advice on this important design decision.

Nothing stands out more than a bold red door—painted in a shade like Behr's 100 MPH—on a light-colored home. "Red works well for a front door because it's fun and makes the first thing you see in a home a conversation piece," says Shea. "It's a great way to incorporate color without going nuts."

Never underestimate the impact of an elegant, darkly painted front door. "Dark, moody greens that are almost black, like Sherwin-Williams Jasper, make a dramatic statement that works well with almost any exterior shade," says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams.

Believe it or not, our experts say painting your front door in a muted, mellow shade of green—like Behr's 2020 Color of the Year, Back to Nature—will help set a calming vibe for the rest of your home. "A soft shade of green creates a soothing entrance to welcome your friends and family," says Erika Woelfel vice president of color and creative services at Behr.

Looking for a chic-but-unexpected paint color that will add charm and elegance to your entry? Our experts say a soft rose, like Comical Coral by Sherwin-Williams, is the way to go. "Add a quirky, friendly accent to your home with a pale coral front door," Wadden says. "It also works especially well with white siding."

If you want to play up the hues of the surrounding landscape when painting your front door, our experts say to consider a sophisticated earth-toned green like Farrow & Ball's Lichen. "I love green for a front door because it works holistically with nature," Shea says.

Ask any color expert and they'll say the same: Classic navy blue, like Very Navy by Behr, is a neutral that's every bit as versatile as it is eye-catching. "Navy blue is a great option for your front door and your shutters," says Woelfel. "Especially for a home with an all-white exterior."

Dreaming of a red front door but hoping for something a little more subdued? Consider a terra-cotta shade, such as Cavern Clay by Sherwin-Williams, to brighten up the exterior of your home. "A warm, welcoming red beckons visitors in," Wadden says.

A rich shade of teal blue livens up any exterior. "Rich jewel-toned blues, like Sherwin-Williams Oceanside, are bold and playful on a front door," Wadden says. "They provide a happy pop of color for homes with lighter, neutral-colored siding."

If you're searching for a shade of front door paint that you can also use inside your home, our experts say to look no further than a rich, pigmented blue, such as Farrow & Ball's Scotch Blue. "Dark blues are bold but subtle all at the same time," Shea says. "It's also one of those colors you can carry through into the home for synergy with the exterior and interior elements."

You can always count on a coat of white paint, such as Behr's Painter's White, to elevate the aesthetic of your entire home. "If you want a more calming, monochromatic welcome moment when you enter a space, I'd stick with an off-white or neutral colorway," Shea says. "I see this often in modern homes and homes with dark exterior siding to get a bold contrast."