Need color advise for porch area

Leo9585
by Leo9585
Any ideas on a color choice for the porch and front door? The entire house, porch and door were brown (boring!). We have just painted the exterior with Sherwin Williams Gray Birch solid stain and added shutters. Was planning to paint them black but really like the natural cedar look, but not sure how to tie it all together with the right color on the porch and front door. Definitely need a good decorators eye to pull this one off.
  23 answers
  • Patricia W Patricia W on Sep 10, 2013
    Use the Sherwin Williams Color Visualizer.You can do exterior with it, its a fun tool! https://www.sherwin-williams.com/visualizer/
  • Leo9585 Leo9585 on Sep 10, 2013
    Thanks. I'll check it out.
  • Fran Thomas Fran Thomas on Sep 10, 2013
    I saw a house recently painted gray, similar to your color. The front door was painted yellow.
  • Jeanna Jeanna on Sep 10, 2013
    Deep Plum would go good with the gray birch.
  • I know it sounds cliche, but my home is the same color, with white trim, and black shutters, and I painted the front door red. I still get many compliments from my neighbors and visitors.
  • Diana Diana on Sep 12, 2013
    I would paint the shutters white black fades fast. The door would be really cute yellow or a medium teal would be nice if you don't like yellow.
  • Donna H Donna H on Sep 12, 2013
    A nice bright blue would go well with the gray and natural wood. But if you want some real pop I would suggest an orange, somewhat muted or a yellow.
  • KrysFL KrysFL on Sep 12, 2013
    I love classic.... black shutters, red door, white porch. Its a no fail that has stood the test of time (and trends).
  • Marilyn Mack Marilyn Mack on Sep 12, 2013
    Yes, the classic, black shutters and a red door always works but, I always like being a bit different too, how about the shutters, front door and front of your garage doors that beautiful rustic burgundy color, it will go well with your brown shingles too! :) It will really make the house pop! :) If I can find the color on line I'll post another with the specifics!
  • Marilyn Mack Marilyn Mack on Sep 12, 2013
    fyi: you should have painted the shutters prior to putting them up :)
    • Leo9585 Leo9585 on Sep 16, 2013
      @Marilyn Mack No worries. We will take them down to paint them. They are not securely mounted. It was just to get a visual.
  • Marilyn Mack Marilyn Mack on Sep 12, 2013
    Checked out Sherwin Williams color pallette and #2802 Rockwood Red would be a great choice! :)
  • Michelle Sloan Michelle Sloan on Sep 12, 2013
    I have seen on HGTV where they paint the ceiling of the porch a darker color to give it warmth, so I would take the darkest color out of your palette and paint the ceiling :)
  • Meburke Meburke on Sep 12, 2013
    my Farmers ins adjuster told me painting your porch ceiling Blue is like the sky way up there so bugs,insects think the sky is right above them they stay off your porch ESP the ceiling as they do not want to be scooped up by birds & eaten.. Weird but ?maybe that's y our fore fathers painted porch ceilings lt blue!
  • Meburke Meburke on Sep 12, 2013
    I like the persons before comments,,,burgundy /red family door color as it plays to that red family for Memorial Day,4th of July.Labor Day?, goes great w Autumnal colors,& of ourselves Christmas, Valentines Day heart stuff, without being fire truck red! $ it goes well w the red /brown family if that's your shingle color?
  • Cyndi Moore Tippett Cyndi Moore Tippett on Sep 12, 2013
    I love the color of your house. My house was gray/green vinyl and I had a medium yellow, not to bright and and dark green shutters. I had more compliments on the color scheme and it was very cheerful. Another option would be to stain the shutters an "eggplant color" and paint the door a medium lavendar/purple. With gray being almost nuetral, you could use just about any color combination. It really depends on how bold you want to be...good luck.
  • Kate Kate on Sep 12, 2013
    As a former designer I have to concur that it is always advisable to paint a porch ceiling a light blue, to deter insects from nesting (especially paper wasps and mud daubers.) A dark, warm color, as Michelle suggests, is nice for very small porch overhangs or canopys, but a large porch, like yours, should be blue. Additionally, I always like to put a ceiling fan (or two) on porches - your home calls for two, one on each side of the front door. These fans can increase the comfort level when humidity is high, discourage mosquitos, and add ambiance! With the lovely grey you have chosen, the white trim is ideal - gives a clean, neat appearance, and i would follow through with the shutters (Diana was correct that black fades - but if that's your preference use a premixed black primer and it will last longer.) For your door the color pallet is wide open. The many suggestions to go a little bold on the door (red, yellow - turquoise?) are excellent ideas. Remember, this is paint - you are allowed to change your mind and have a do-over! Then take the door color and use it for accent color on chair pillows, flower pots, etc. And do use many flowers in season. Good luck!
  • Diane Limauro Diane Limauro on Sep 12, 2013
    I like to be different! How about (Sage Green)...
  • Cathe Cathe on Sep 12, 2013
    Red!
  • Leo9585 Leo9585 on Sep 16, 2013
    excellent suggestions. Thanks a million. Planning to paint by the end of the week. I'll be sure to post the pics when I am finished.
  • Diane Limauro Diane Limauro on Sep 17, 2013
    So what color have you chosen?
  • Leo9585 Leo9585 on Nov 04, 2013
    thanks so much everyone for the suggestions. They were all fantastic. If it were my home to live in I definitely would have had a creative flare to the look. I actually flip houses and this as a project so I decided to go with a more traditional look sincere knew it would sell. I actually painted the door and porch then used a jell stain OCR it. Its unread out fantastic with a rich mahogany look. Thanks again everyone. I do love this site.
  • Cherie Cherie on May 22, 2015
    A flip!!!?? I think you owe all the designers who gave you advice some money!!!!!
  • Tina Tina on Jul 02, 2016
    black and brick red