Looking for suggestions on how to update this front door!

Question

My initial thought is to strip it and stain it a darker color. The trim color around the door is new to the entire house and the brick around it covers most of the home. This is a dark alcove that I will be adding a chandelier to at this entry. Ideas??????

The Garden Frog with C Renee · Answer

Updating the handle and the kickplate will make a huge impact. Plus I would show off the glass insert too and bring in light to the area both inside and out. Staining it a bit darker will look good against the brick (or leave it alone because it is a beautiful door). the burlap wreath does not do the door justice and adding a chandelier and working as if the porch was an extension of your home. Just do not crowd it too much but a couple big, tall, colorful pots on each side with plants would really set this area off. have fun!

Janet Pizaro · Answer

I would stain the door to contrast with the brick and the new pretty trim color. I also would invest in all new hardware. Personally I would remove the wreath so you can see the glass and lastly most definitely dress the area up with coordinating pots that match the trim.

Lulu · Answer

I like it just as it is.

MN Mom · Answer

Hi Tammy
I agree with changing the color of the door. Would you consider planters with natural elements like curly willow or forced branches? Then you would have the option of tucking in a shade lover plant like pansy or impatiens for a bit of color.

Peppi · Answer

i think that some soft gold rubbed on the frame and sanded off a little would be beautiful with your teal trim. also a chandelier would look beautiful in your outside entryway. i agree with new brass or oiled metal would look great and the plants on either side would finish the look. please post when you are done. looking forward to seeing your marvelous transformation.

Kimberly Harris Dodson · Answer

Have you thought of painting the door the color of the trim?

Jean Myles · Answer

I like the trim color. I think the trim around the door needs to be wider all the way around. If the alcove is dark what do you want the focal point to be? The door or the light fixture. As someone else said You should get rid of the wreath and add some greenery on each side of the entrance.For the door I'm thinking the darkest stain you can find . Would love to see the end results.

Leslie · Answer

Beautiful peacock blue for door and trim. Wreath is hiding the beauty of the door. Chandelier is wonderful idea.

Kathy t · Answer

you could get some 'stained glass' paint and paint the details in the glass. That way you could have several colors to compliment with outside plants

Mickey Baron · Answer

I have a door similar & it faded in the sun & elements. Lost its luster. I sanded it lightly, & used a light walnut gel stain. It brought it back to life! Used 3 coats of a protectant afterwards. Your choice of new hardware. Then try kathy t' ^ idea, of the multi color 'stain glass' paint. Do all this, & it will look like an entirely different door. THEN decide on if you want to change the trim color. Your chandelier idea is PERFECT. Pls. post after shots?

Int2363025 · Answer

Let's start at the beginning!  1st question......is the trim surrounding the door the same as the trim around the windows of the house or where did you arrive at that color?  The trim around the door should be the same as around the Windows, maybe soffit, as long as it coordinates with the color of the house.  Is it brick all around?  After these questions are addressed, then the color of the front door will be answered.  Make it POP....a strong color, dark stain, dark paint color.   The door then Will become the focal point. As it is Now the trim is the focal color.

Hope Williams · Answer

Hi Tammy.  I agree with a few of the above answers, mainly @Kimberly Harris Dodson, paint the door the same as the trim.  One is canceling out the other at this point.  Also one tall plant/planter on either side of the door.  You want the entry to pop not your door OR your trim.  Have fun!

Country Design Home · Answer

Hi Tammy! You already have lots of advice but I will chip in my two cents worth. I would stain the door a much darker color-almost black- to enhance the gray of the bricks. That would also highlight the stained glass window ( I would also remove that wreath, as it hides the glass : ) Update the hardware- oil rubbed bronze or brushed chrome- to really stand out against the door. I would also paint the sill- right now it appears to be untreated- which could lead to rot over time. Add a colorful indoor-outdoor carpet and some bright pots that complement that gorgeous teal trim color. The pots could contain anything from tall birch logs with lights to tall flowering plants- depending on the season. Good luck!

Johnchip · Answer

I agree with scrap the wreath. It looks like a bunch of scrunched up old panty hose. Paint any and all stained glass colors just leaving clear or frosted color.(This will update it from a faux Victorian look) Go ahead and paint door two shades of blue; darker in cut-in, insets, then brighter on the forward higher panel parts. Use satin, pewter or darker hardware.

Kaye · Answer

Perhaps,using colored planters and allow the glass in door breathe,it'd be lovely

Robin_Weigand · Answer

I'd paint the door cream and add a rug to the entrance. Or paint the door red with white trim.

Cindi · Answer

I just painted my front entrance door black, looks very classy and rich, I would also remove your wreath to show off that beautiful window as the black will enhance the window

Nancy Oden · Answer

u might want to consider distressing the door...giving it an aged look.....maybe paint it a nice color..but use the chalk paint and give it that rustic, aged, distressed look...you can do that with stain or with paint...that would update it because this look is very 'in' right now...if thats not your cup of tea then painting it a nice color and maybe painting the door handle with that dark bronze spray paint by rustoleum...its called rubbed bronze..or something like that....its nice and tones down the bright brass that is so out of date right now..i plan to use it on my bright brass door handles..look at Fixer Upper on HGTV...that sort of rustic look would go well w what u have..in m opinion..and update it too

Lynn Palmatier · Answer

i am not sure of what the front of your house looks like, but I am assuming that you have trim or shutters the same as your door trim. The wreath on your door looks like natural fibers, so I am also assuming that you like the natural look. If your trim paint is all the same on the house consider changing the trim to a shade or 2 lighter than what you have. Or, you could do the lighter shade just at the top and around the inner part of the trim. You have 3 indentations on the trim, I would try the middle indent. If you are not inclined to paint, change your wreath to something that has greenery in different shades of greens with touches of you colors in the wreath. You also might try a basket at the bottom of the window or at the top of the bottom panels with the greenery. That way your widow would be a feature and not covered. That does mean that you would need to do a permanent way of hanging something there and not a wreath hanger. Your options are aplenty without a lot pf painting..... since the glass has some yellow, you could also paint a contrast shade yellow that highlights and accents your door.

Angela Roberts · Answer

All the previous suggestions are very good. Because the brick on the house has that 'aged' look, I would paint it a vibrant color like red, yellow or green with no distressing. I don't know that staining it a darker color would really make it stand out against the brick. Or....you could paint it a shiny black. That could look really cool next to the brick.

Jennifer Thompson · Answer

I'd paint the door a dark navy, or rich shade of blue. I would also remove the wreath from the door and let the window be a feature. They sell masonry nails and hooks for brick like yours, invest in one to hang a wreath/decorative slate welcome sign from just above and to the left of your doorbell. The trim on your door makes the entrance look tall and too thin. Beef it up by adding a more decorative (think less indoor trim looking) moulding -- add a little to the sides and more above the door, with the top trim reaching out past the side trim by a couple of inches. The trim should be a warm & dark stain color. Add an oversized, cheery & bright doormat to complete the look. If your alcove is big enough, add a pretty bench to the right of the door and a cheerful bunch of flowers in a planter/watering can.

Patty · Answer

I'm with @Robin-Weigand with this one, a muted cream would be perfect with your trim and brick!! Good luck.

Barbara · Answer

I'm afraid if you go a deeper stain color that the 'dark alcove' would be intensified, but I'm not in agreement with the bright colors of red, yellow or green. I might be tempted to try something very different, an aged off white resembling white wash or pickled wood. You might find help on Pinterest or utube for white wash tutorials. The lighter color will focus the eye on the entry and lighten the area. Personally, I love the door as is. I am in agreement about moving the wreath to the left or right of the door so the beautiful glass shows even more. We have a similar door with the beveled cut glass insert in a rectangular shape and it was painted white before we purchased the house. I wanted a more vintage look, so I just painted it with a dark wood (red mahogony)stain, rubbed most of the gel stain off and when dry, sprayed polyurethane to protect it. I love the finished door and it fits the more vintage style I wanted. I only did the exterior of the door as it opens to a very small entry way into our living room and I wanted the interior to match our white wood window/door trim. We also went with the oil rubbed bronze door knob and lock set. I love the finished look!

Lynn Couch · Answer

Paint it red & the flat part around the window & the 2 panes at the bottom of the door paint the dark alcove color.

Cindi · Answer

Personally, it would kill me to paint such a beautiful wood door. Everyone wants to paint everything these days, but I only paint wood if it's dinged up. This door is gorgeous, as is. If you want a change, put a different color stain on it, although I love the color wood it is now, it goes with the window. If it was mine I think I'd paint the trim around the door black, and change out the hardware and kick plate to black. That would give a whole new look without touching the wood. If I had to paint this door, I'd paint it bright red, with black trim, but again, it goes against my nature. Try the black trimming first, then brighten it up with pots of colorful flowers on each side of the door, or something with some color.

Debbe · Answer

You need to brighten it up not such a dark of color? You need a bright color that draws your attention to front door it makes it more inviting. Look on Zillow or any decorating sites and see what colors are out there.

Dianne devoll · Answer

I would go with a grey similar to brick and, using a VERY fine brush, use black to outline the raised parts. Change handles to old silver, as elaborate as possible. Do not put up a wreath or anything in front of glass.

MaryAnn B · Answer

I agree with not painting the door. I like the idea of repainting the trim to black, changing the hardware to a polished bronze, and get rid of that door wreath which adds to the 'blah' effect. You can try a slight antiquing around the oval window frame with some black to make it stand out, and add a wreath with some color.

Dianab · Answer

I would go for a white pickled look, works great on that colour stain. and, yes, I would get rid of the wreath as well, hang it to the side of the door

Patti McCarty · Answer

Well, first off, I'd use a different color moulding.... something lighter, perhaps, same color family, or a cream, maybe? That green is too dark. Maybe even add another layer of moulding... accent the door facing more... or put a piece, like an old dresser/vanity back piece on the top. Really pimp up the facing above the door. Look at some headboards for ideas. Check out a book at the library... there are books totally devoted to front door ideas. Then I think I'd hit the door with a sander to lighten it up a bit, too. Rub it down with coconut oil. Give it a month or two, see how you like it. You can always re-stain it before next winter. I like the brass kickplate. Think of the additions to the door as jewelry. Go big or go home. Your doorbell just gets lost, too. And by all means, add a spectacular light or two.... a planter or two....or three... or four. Try formal balance... then try informal balance. Go tall, add smaller pieces below. How about a bench? Play with it. Be brave. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

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