Need to paint my front door!

Sharon
by Sharon

Hi-We recently updated our house and transformed the outside to this pretty blue-gray color. Now I need to paint my front door but I'm having trouble deciding on color (there is a completely screened door in front of it, which is one reason it looks so dark). Initially I wanted to paint it copper. If so, do I also paint the sidelights? I'm not sure how that would look. I also do not know what type of paint to use (it is a metal door). Any input would be appreciated!

  12 answers
  • Ellis Ellis on Jul 20, 2018

    A bright blue color that compliments your color scheme would be pretty.

  • Dee Dee on Jul 20, 2018

    I used SW exterior paint for my front door. I used a paint sprayer and let it dry completer before reinstalling it. My neighbor used Rustoleum spray paint and it lasted for years. When she repainted she used automotive spray paint. Looks great.

  • Margaret Veronica Margaret Veronica on Jul 20, 2018

    I have a grey house also, and I drove around looking at grey houses to see what I liked on other homes. The first time I did that, I chose raspberry, which looked great for a few years. Then I saw a nice cape-cod blue, and it's been that way for a few years. Now I've seen a beautiful lemony yellow, and that will be my choice next. But looking at other homes is how I get the inspiration.

    • Sharon Sharon on Jul 20, 2018

      Thank you! Yellow is actually my favorite color so a great idea!

  • Carol Sybrowsky Carol Sybrowsky on Jul 20, 2018

    Historically, yellow is one of the most popular colors for exterior paint. In fact, yellow houses sell faster than any other color. On top of that "yellow" is an up-and-coming color for interior design AND you LIKE yellow. So go for it. You can always change the color later.

  • Margaret Veronica Margaret Veronica on Jul 20, 2018

    Sharon- I don't think I'd paint the sidelites, but perhaps a couple of hanging baskets between your porch posts with yellow flowers might make a nice tie-in. One of my favorite tricks when making color choices is to paint a large poster board with a sample sized paint container. Tape it up and see What you think!

    • Sharon Sharon on Jul 20, 2018

      that's a great idea to paint another object first!! I was looking at hanging baskets recently but haven't purchased any. Great suggestions, I thank you very much. Have a great weekend!

  • Lorraine Lorraine on Jul 20, 2018

    I love YELLOW, not a safe option but it will really pop!!

  • Gorgeous! I would go with a dark charcoal color or if you want a pop, a red door is never a bad pick.

  • 2dogal 2dogal on Jul 21, 2018

    It needs something to make it pop! Front doors need to be seen and inviting. I'd paint the door red or yellow. The current house colors are nice, soft and safe - purple would also work if you want to get daring.

  • I think teal would be pretty with the gray or a shade of red. When I painted our metal door, I just used Deco Art's outdoor paint, which I also used on my wooden doors and it works well.

    • Sharon Sharon on Aug 16, 2018

      Thank you, Mary! This will be my first "real" painting project so I am nervous. I keep researching the type of paint to use, do I use a primer, how to get rid of brush strokes, etc.

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on May 06, 2021

    This is the the kind of paint to use: https://amzn.to/3tjtjiR


    I would go with a bright red, and I would not paint the sidelights, keep those white light your trim.

  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Oct 20, 2021

    I agree that a yellow front door will really pop and give some more curb appeal.