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How to Pick Paint Colors for Doors

by Clare Bills

Overview

At first blush this may seem an easy task, until you have to make the choice. You will want to consider the age of your home and its architecture. A home in the historic district may have color requirements spelled out by the city. If you live in a development with a homeowners association, there may be approved colors listed in your association rules. Whether you may choose any color in the rainbow or are working from a restricted list, there are still issues to consider in making your final choice.

Step 1

Take a few pictures of the front of your home at different times of day. Stand back so you get a full picture of your home including your roof and landscaping near your house.
Step 2

Consider all the elements of your home in the color palette when you are searching for a color for the doors. The color of the roof, brick, stone, siding, shutters and other accents must included. If you have landscaping elements, such as evergreen trees, take these into consideration as well.
Step 3

Visit the paint store with the photograph of your home. If you are looking for a harmonious palate, choose similar colors to your exterior walls. If your front door is somewhat hidden, you may want to choose a hue from the opposite side of the color wheel to make your door stand out. For example, if you have a dark green home, you may want to choose a deep burgundy color for the door.
Step 4

Bring the selected paint chips home and view them outside, at different times of the day. When you think you may have a good choice, have a sample quart or two mixed and then paint two coats of your chosen color(s) on a poster board. Set this in front of your home and look at in the daylight and again toward dusk.
Step 5

Walk through your neighborhood and observe other color schemes for doors. Although you do not want to have all homes looking alike, you may want to be sure that your choice is in keeping with the neighborhood. A bright pink door may work well in some parts of the country, but it may seem offensive to neighbors in more conservative areas.
Step 6

Choose the same color for all your doors or use more conservative colors for side and back doors, to draw attention to your front entry. The visibility of your front door should be considered when deciding.
Step 7

Consider the landscaping colors before you make a final choice in door colors. With beds of orange flowers, a front door in a wine color may not be the best choice.

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Camera Poster board Sample paints Brush Paint chips
Camera
Poster board
Sample paints
Brush
Paint chips
Remember to include the color of your roof in your decision. If occupies a lot of visual space and will affect your overall color scheme.
Remember to include the color of your roof in your decision. If occupies a lot of visual space and will affect your overall color scheme.
Darker colors will fade more in the sun and will require repainting more often. However the beauty and drama of a rich dark color may outweigh the extra work.
Darker colors will fade more in the sun and will require repainting more often. However the beauty and drama of a rich dark color may outweigh the extra work.