The Best Paint Colors to Upgrade Your Front Door

You don't need to be an interior designer to experiment with paint color in your home—you just need to follow along with Fresh Coat. We'll help you tackle all of your home's painting projects, from choosing the ultimate color palette to perfecting your method. You'll be prepped, primed, and ready to roll (literally) in no time.

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 update 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.

When you can't decide what color to paint your front door, color expert and stylist Sara McLean of Dunn-Edwards Paints suggests looking to the sky for motivation. "Use nature as inspiration for your next front door color," she says. "Peace River is a relaxing blue that presents as a welcoming hue to visitors."

In the market for an eye-catching front door color that still reads as a neutral? Joshua Tree is an earthy, golden mustard yellow that Jamie Davis of Portola Paints says feels unique, yet versatile. "Use a foam roller for an extra smooth application," she advises.

A front door only comprises a small part of your house frontage, which is why Annie Sloan, creator of Chalk Paint, says you shouldn't shy away from a commanding paint color. "As a total colorphile, I can't resist richly pigmented front doors," she explains. "Amsterdam Green is handsome and eternally sophisticated, referencing as it does those grand Dutch houses lining the canals of that great city."

A chic, glossy coat of almost-black paint can make a big impact on your front door. "A front door painted in a classic, stately, strong and masculine statement hue, like Dark Engine by Dunn-Edwards, is always in style," McLean says. "Make sure to finish with three to four coats of high gloss to show it off."

Nothing brightens up a home's exterior faster than a sprightly shade of sunny yellow. "English Scone GE-40 is a cheerful yellow that adds just enough pop to make a house feel friendly and inviting," says Hannah Yeo, the color marketing and development manager at Benjamin Moore. "If the door is in bad shape or repairs were done, consider first priming the door with a high-quality primer."

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."