Paint color for concrete steps and screen door

Marilyn Bates
by Marilyn Bates
I need to repaint the steps of my 1908 bungalow. The red has faded to an ugly orange which clashes with the red door and chairs. Suggestions? It is west facing. I would also like suggestions regarding the tile facing...paint? I was thinking of corrugated metal or lattice. Last question..should the screen door be painted the same red as the front door? Thanks to all who respond.
  12 answers
  • William William on Mar 24, 2016
    I would take a color from one of the stones on the walls flanking the stairs. Like one of the tans. This would tie the stairs with the walls, but not detract from the dark woodwork or red door. A nice wreath on the door would brighten the entry. You want guests eyes to gravitate towards the door and not the stairs.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 24, 2016
    Hard to tell from the photo what the color of the trim and door are.My suggestion would be to pick a lighter version of those colors as not to draw so much attention to that.
  • MN Mom MN Mom on Mar 24, 2016
    Agree with William. I wouldn't paint or cover the tile facade of the porch. A lighter, natural color for the steps will help them blend in with the other colors. Adding some potted flowers will bring a nice pop of color. Research bungalow paint colors, too. Your home is beautiful!
  • Kathy Meador Wells Kathy Meador Wells on Mar 24, 2016
    I would not paint the tile, nor would I use corrugated metal. The tile is very unique and looks good. Paint your steps one of the colors of the tile. Paint the screen door the same as the steps, just making sure it does not clash with the red.
  • Moxie Moxie on Mar 24, 2016
    I think if it were mine i would paint all the wood trim and stairs to match the edge of the porch slab snd the psint the screen door red if you want red to pop
  • Rebekka Rebekka on Mar 24, 2016
    I would paint the stairs a color close to the mortar/grout between the tiles, and the screen the same as the door. Cute house!
  • Denise Putnam Raysor Denise Putnam Raysor on Mar 24, 2016
    I would have the screen door the same color as the windows & railings surrounding the porch.
  • Ann Ann on Mar 25, 2016
    The tile is the most important part of the house. Match colors from the tile to paint the trim, especially the roof and porch. Make a copy of the house or trace it on paper and make several copies. Get some colored pencils or pens and pick colors of the tile. Now color several versions of your house and you will find the look you will love. Plus it is fun. Do you have a family? Let them do some of the coloring. You may find helpers to paint the house. Trim the sidewalk with the stone look by the street. I would sometime think about a stone walkway. Have fun.
  • Bobbie Littlefield Bobbie Littlefield on Mar 25, 2016
    I LOVE slate tile-which you have on the house front. I would use more to create a half way up wall on the house front, Tile the porch floor, stair floors. Picking the lightest blue blue you have in the tiles, paint all the black wood on the porch with it (including window frames), AND the rising parts of the stairs. Add brighter (lapis) blue stoneware pots with artificial flowers for next to the door. Sand an repaint porch furniture in a color picked up from the slate (dull gold, grey, anything but the blue you've used on woods). Add PATTERED fabric to the chairs that has all the colors you've used (keep swatches, paint chips, etc. in a binder for this match up and future match ups). Don't know what the black rectangles are on the front wall but I would relocate and/or eliminate them if I could. If not, you can "frame" with rectangles that match the window heights. OR now would be a good time to enlarge the doorway for a more "centered" entry. Just suggestions. Happy fixing! "Buy the inch - it's a cinch. Buy the mile - all you do is smile." an original quote from me-circa 1987.
  • Cindi Cindi on Mar 25, 2016
    I like the color it is, kind of a brick red. It matches the red in the bricks. If I was to paint anything, it would be the edge of the flooring of the porch that shows in front, the yellow tan color doesn't go with anything. If the steps need re-painting, I'd just paint them a brick red, along with the porch edge. Red is one of the worst colors for fading, but it's one of the greatest for giving a pop of color to the appearance of the house, so to me it would be worth painting every few years to keep that look.
  • Sunshine Sunshine on Mar 25, 2016
    Cobolt blue
  • Jane Jane on Mar 26, 2016
    Hi Marilyn. What a cute bungalow. If it were my choice, I would paint the steps a darker shade of gray...to blend with the slate tiles. I definitely would not paint the tiles...they are lovely. I would paint the door Red Geranium by Glidden (Home Depot). It is a wonderful bright and cheerful red. I'd probably paint the screen door the same red. You want it to POP. I'd probably paint the mail box too. Maybe red with gold house numbers on it. A low wattage spot light aimed at the front door would really look beautiful at night. Red doors don't show up much in the shade or at night.You didn't ask, but I think the black trim is too much for your little home. I would have chosen a lighter color, maybe light gray or my favorite bright white. White trim with dark shutters on the two windows would really be beautiful.Google "bungalows with red doors" and look at "images" ... you'll see what I mean. I apologize for offering unsolicited advice and opinions. I love your home and I see so much possibility there that I couldn't resist throwing in my 2 cents.Happy Easter !