TIPS FOR CHOOSING A FRONT DOOR COLOUR
Updated: 4 days ago
As the warm weather approaches, replacing or repainting your front door might be on the to-do list. Choosing a colour for your door might seem like a daunting task but I'll try to take some of the doubt away and make it fun!
We are currently in the process of replacing our front door so I'll take you through my process to help guide you to success with whichever colour you want. If you're still feeling unsure about your colour selection after reading this article, reach out and I'd be happy to help!
TIP # 1:
Work with the existing exterior materials and hues. Brick and stone may have a general undertone but look for other tones mixed in. Are they warm like red and oranges or cooler like blues and greys? You may want to choose a colour with similar tones or a colour that will compliment, not contrast with it. If you have darker siding, you may want to opt for lighter door so it stands out and same goes for lighter siding.
My brick leans more on the red/orange side, but you can also see creams, browns and grey. It's not my favourite brick, but sometimes you gotta work with what you have.
TIP #2:
Don't choose your colour based on a paint swatch only. Larger paint samples can help you see undertones and how they will coordinate with the other exterior finishes. You can make larger samples by buying a sample can of paint. I brush two coats of the colour onto bristol board. If you're not up for the mess or just don't want to store multiple cans of paint, companies like Samplize and Hello Paint offer Peel and Stick paint samples that can be delivered to your door. These samples are hand painted and you can choose from thousands of colours from different paint brands directly from their website.
Here's the size of a the paint swatch versus a bristol board sample. There's no denying that you won't get a good sense of the colour without the larger sample!
TIP #3:
In addition to tip #2, you shouldn't choose a colour based on an online picture only. Colour can be altered by filters and your screen resolution. What you see, may not be what you get. Use that image as a starting point, but get a sample to look at in person.
Here's the paint swatch versus the online picture I fell in love with. I loved Farrow and Ball, Sulking Room Pink online however, when I look at the sample in person, it reads more purple than pink. With my covered front porch and dark siding, the colour became lost. Darn!
TIP #4:
Compare the colour you like with similar options. This will allow you to see the undertones and depth of colour to ensure it the right hue for you.
Here I'm comparing similar medium pink hues to my original choice to find the right version of pink. You can see there's more red and pink in the top sample and more brown and orange in the bottom sample. Depending on what you are pairing that colour with, you can use that observation to help make a decision.
TIP #5:
Observe the paint colour during different times of the day. Depending on your sun exposure, the appearance of the paint colour can change throughout the day. Make sure you're happy with it during all versions of daylight. Having said that, if you have a lot of sun exposure on the front of your home, you may be able to get away with a darker door. A lighter colour in that scenario can end up looking washed out. If you're like me with a shady covered front porch, a lighter colour may work best to help your door stand out. The picture below shows my south facing door in the morning light versus the afternoon.
TIP #6:
HAVE FUN WITH IT! Don't be afraid to consider colours outside of the norm. If you're painting your door yourself, it's an inexpensive way to express your personality and make a good first impression as guests enter your home. Look at your interior colour choices. Perhaps you prefer a coastal or earthy colour scheme. Painting a similar or complimentary colour on your door can create a cohesive flow from the outside in.
HELPFUL TOOLS TO GET YOU STARTED
PINTEREST/GOOGLE IMAGES - INSPIRATIONAL PHOTOS CAN HELP GET THE CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING!
ONLINE COLOUR VISUALIZERS - MOST PAINT BRANDS HAVE THIS OPTION ON THEIR WEBSITE. JUST UPLOAD A PHOTO OF YOUR HOUSE, SELECT THE SURFACE YOU WANT TO CHANGE COLOUR AND CHOOSE FROM A LARGE VARIETY OF OPTIONS. THIS CAN GIVE YOU A GENERAL IDEA OF HOW A COLOUR MAY LOOK BUT ALWAYS VIEW A SAMPLE IN PERSON BEFORE PURCHASING THAT PAINT COLOUR.
SAMPLE PAINT CANS - YOU CAN FIND THESE AT YOUR LOCAL PAINT SHOPS OR HARDWARE STORES. THEY TYPICALLY RANGE FROM $9-$13 FOR EACH CAN.
PEEL AND STICK PAINT SAMPLES - THESE SAMPLES TYPICALLY RANGE FROM $6-$8 AND ARE MAILED TO YOUR DOOR. CHECK OUT SAMPLIZE or HELLO PAINT FOR THOUSAND OF PAINT COLOURS FROM BRANDS LIKE BENJAMIN MOORE, SHERWIN WILLIAMS, FARROW AND BALL ETC.