All too often we get confused and overwhelmed trying to nail down a complete color palette all at once and end up feeling unenthused about the individual colors selected. But if you start with, say, a fantastic front door color, and then select the other materials and hues to support this choice, you may have an easier go of it. To help inspire you, we’ve gathered examples of unusual front door colors and developed sample paint palettes you can try out on your own home.
Color by color: Houzz guides to choosing door and exterior colors
Color by color: Houzz guides to choosing door and exterior colors
If you are considering painting your front door a vibrant hue, such as the neon green here, think about keeping the remaining house colors and materials more neutral. Some architectural styles — such as ornate Victorians and clean-lined contemporary homes — can sport a mix of bold exterior hues. But most other house styles look best with a neutral supporting backdrop to such an eye-catching front door color.
For a similar front door color, try Limeade, then pair it with Granite Boulder for the main house color and Dark Ash for accents or trim.
Paint colors: Behr
Paint colors: Behr
Here’s a slightly mellower green, with a good bit of blue in it. I can see this color’s working on just about any style of home. And because it’s more muted than the previous green, you don’t have to stick to a soft neutral for the main siding color.
For a similar front door color, try Kokopelli Teal, then pair it with Stonybrook for the main house color and Silver Songfor accents or trim.
Paint colors: Benjamin Moore
For a similar front door color, try Kokopelli Teal, then pair it with Stonybrook for the main house color and Silver Songfor accents or trim.
Paint colors: Benjamin Moore
I see plenty of bright red and vibrant orange doors, but rarely do I see this particular shade of fiery red-orange. It’s fun and welcoming and definitely makes a statement. I think this door color needs to be partnered with a light, neutral siding color, but you can add a dramatic punch of color with a dark brown or dark gray trim color.
For a similar front door color, try Daredevil, then pair it with Sedate Gray for the main house color and Night Owl for accents or trim.
Paint colors: Sherwin-Williams
For a similar front door color, try Daredevil, then pair it with Sedate Gray for the main house color and Night Owl for accents or trim.
Paint colors: Sherwin-Williams
Here’s an example of a home that can sport whatever front door color the owners want. The brick acts as a neutral (most earth tones read as neutral hues on the exteriors of homes), and the dark gray accent color also won’t compete with a fun door color. Keep the exterior clean, simple and neutral and you can go bold — even hot pink — with the door.
For a similar front door color, try Peony, then pair it with Chelsea Gray for the main house color and Iron Mountainfor accents or trim.
Paint colors: Benjamin Moore
Paint colors: Benjamin Moore
This is a project I worked on for a client who requested a soft, buttercup-yellow front door. I didn’t want to veer too soft or too orange, though, because then the door wouldn’t stand out from the cypress siding. This particular yellow is the perfect companion to the warm, orange-hued wood and the cool blue-gray siding color.
Get this look with Daffodil for the front door, then pair it with Online for the main house color and Foggy Day for accents or trim.
Paint colors: Sherwin-Williams
Get this look with Daffodil for the front door, then pair it with Online for the main house color and Foggy Day for accents or trim.
Paint colors: Sherwin-Williams
I remember being a child and begging and pleading with my mother to get me the “big box” of Crayolas because I was coveting my friend’s Periwinkle crayon. I was bewitched by this color that seemed to alternate between blue and purple. This periwinkle door looks fantastic against the weathered gray shingles. It’s a cool palette, but the texture of the shingles combined with the pretty periwinkle gives it a warm and welcoming vibe.
For a similar front door color, try Simply Periwinkle, then pair it with Mark Twain House Ombra Gray for the main house color and Seashell Grayfor accents or trim.
Paint colors: Valspar
Paint colors: Valspar
Here’s another unusual blue for a front door — a medium blue that has a touch of green. The small bit of green keeps the blue from feeling too icy and cool. This door color works well with warm or cool siding colors.
For a similar front door color, try Aqua Blue, then pair it with Whiskers for the main house color and Midnight Hour for accents or trim.
Paint colors: PPG Pittsburgh Paints
Paint colors: PPG Pittsburgh Paints
Bright yellow-green hues are continuing their run as hip colors for interior accents and accessories, but they also make fantastic front door colors. Neon versions of the hue can be rather intense in large chunks, but if your front door has glazing, the glass panels can help break up and soften the color.
For a similar front door color, try Wow, then pair it with Snowflake Confetti for the main house color and Drizzle for accents or trim.
Paint colors: Kelly-Moore Paints
For a similar front door color, try Wow, then pair it with Snowflake Confetti for the main house color and Drizzle for accents or trim.
Paint colors: Kelly-Moore Paints
Painting the exterior of a home can be time consuming and expensive, so it makes sense to keep the main house color and hard-to-reach trim areas classic neutrals. But it’s relatively quick, easy and affordable to paint the door, so why not go bold here? Not only is it a great way to add personality to the front of your home, it’ll also help call out the entrance to visitors.
For a similar front door color, try Emerald City, then pair it with Misty Windowpane for the main house color and Keddington for accents or trim.
Paint colors: Mythic
Keep in mind that the paint colors you see on your monitor are likely not an exact match to the actual paint color used. Whenever I see a photograph of a paint color I like, I follow this strategy for matching it up. Always buy small test-size samples of any colors you are considering, and paint a scrap piece of wood, drywall or even poster board with them, so you can move them around the space you are considering painting. - Jennifer Ott
For a similar front door color, try Emerald City, then pair it with Misty Windowpane for the main house color and Keddington for accents or trim.
Paint colors: Mythic
Keep in mind that the paint colors you see on your monitor are likely not an exact match to the actual paint color used. Whenever I see a photograph of a paint color I like, I follow this strategy for matching it up. Always buy small test-size samples of any colors you are considering, and paint a scrap piece of wood, drywall or even poster board with them, so you can move them around the space you are considering painting. - Jennifer Ott
