If windows are the eyes of the home, then the door is the mouth.  I think my new door deserves lipstick, ahem, pretty paint.  If you have a lovely stained wood door, skip this article.  But if you have a painted door, why not give your house a lift with a new paint color?  While the weather is still warm you have the opportunity to repaint your front door and give your home even more curb appeal.

But how to choose a color that’s just right?  It’s as intimidating as choosing the right lipstick!  So I’ve researched tips to help you choose well.

Most house color schemes consist of three colors;  wall color, trim color, and accent color for gables.  However, you’re not obligated to paint your door the trim color or even the accent color.  You can add a ‘wow’ color for impact on your door.

Here is where your own personality will help guide you.  Is your house wall color neutral?  You could choose a bright color for your door if you love a bold, stand-out look.  But if you’re more comfortable with a classic look, you may choose a variant of one of the colors that makes up the formula of your wall color.  For instance, gray is a mix, as you know, of white with black.  But there are also other colors in small amounts that give your gray color depth and interest.  My house paint is white with small amounts of black and smaller amounts of maroon and gold.  If possible, find the formula for your house paint and use it to give you clues for an appropriate door color.  In my case, I plan to choose a brick red for my door.  I know this will be compatible with my wall color because my formula includes maroon, a variant of red.

Another approach to finding a great color for your door is to look on a color wheel.  Find the color closest to your wall color then look opposite on the color wheel for your complimentary colors.  If your house is tan, various blues will compliment.  This creates a dynamic color scheme.  Or you can simply use a different shade (adding black) or tint (adding white) of your wall color.  This scheme is very subtle.  Another option is to choose colors on either side of your wall color on the color wheel.  This scheme is restful.  However, the color wheel doesn’t show grays which are so popular right now.  One way to overcome this is to use one of the colors in your gray formula.  Since my gray paint color is white, black, maroon, and gold, I could use red (maroon is red with black) on the color wheel to find the complimentary color which is green.  I actually am using a very deep green/brown as a trim color and it looks good.

Inspiration can come from many sources.  For me, the light bulb moment occurred when I planted Japanese maples beside our shed.  Our shed is a trial run for the paint scheme of our house which is under construction.  When I stood back to assess the placement of the little trees, Bam!  It hit me.  The color of the grayish wall made the rusty colored leaves pop.  Why not paint the front door a rusty red like these lovely leaves?  Then I checked the formula for our wall paint.  Yep.  Red (maroon) was a component.  I’m on the right track.

What might inspire you as you’re searching for the right color?  Some flowers or shrubs in a bed near your front porch?   A favorite dress or pair of shoes?

Take the roof color into consideration when choosing door color.  Remember, others view your home from the street and your roof is a big component of the overall look of your house.

Take your stone accent colors into consideration as well as any brick or stone pathways near the door.

Take your architecture into consideration, but don’t be afraid to step out of the box.  If you have a formal brick two story, don’t feel that you have to choose a sophisticated color.  You can break the rules and choose a fun color.  Experiment!  It’s just a little paint and it can be changed in a few years.  My friend’s neighbor painted the door of their large, lovely brick home bright orange because they are fans of the local university football team whose colors are bright orange and white.  Cottages and bungalows lend themselves easily to bold, bright colors.

If you want to give the impression of a larger door, paint the door trim the same color as the door.  This visually expands a small door.

You may want to continue the fun, by using your door color on an element near the front door such as a flower pot, chair, house numbers or light fixture.

Also, consider painting the inside of your front door a beautiful accent color that goes with your interior.  Great ideas here:  http://jonesdesigncompany.com/decorate/painting-interior-doors/

Using the right tools is super important.  Fiberglass doors are best painted with foam rollers and small good quality brushes and, of course, exterior latex paint.  But the paint finish is up to you.  High gloss is hard to apply, but has a very distinctive reflective look and is tough.  Semi-gloss is a good all purpose, good washability finish that reflects light. Satin is less reflective and stands up to washing.  Matte and flat hide imperfections in the surface but aren’t usually chosen for high traffic areas.  For metal doors, you may choose either latex or oil based paint.

My advice is to buy paint at Sherwin-Williams where there are professionals to help you choose the best paint and finishes for your project.

For further reading:

Color theory-   http://www.bhg.com/decorating/color/basics/color-wheel-color-chart/#page=0

How to paint-    http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/skills-and-know-how/painting/how-to-paint-a-front-door

How to paint-    http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2010/11/girls-guide-to-painting-your-front-door.html#.V6Iv_xTvRic

Inspiration-    https://www.pinterest.com/explore/front-door-painting/

Choosing colors –    http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/6861936/list/how-to-choose-a-front-door-color

Color personality- http://www.diamondvogel.com/blog/what-your-front-door-color-says-about-you