recoat.YOUR HOUSE, YOUR COLORS

Front door colors for different exterior palettes

Choose a front door color after the siding and trim are settled. Compare a deeper version of the body color with a distinct accent, keeping the surrounding trim and brick visible. If the door has a wood finish you want to keep, compare the painted surround instead.

Colonial inspired two story; horizontal lap siding; charcoal gray simple side gable roof; red-brick entry steps; low red-brick foundation; small red-brick chimney.
Original example photo

Working with what stays

Judge the door inside its surround

A door occupies a small area, but the trim, glazing and porch shadow affect its contrast. Compare the entrance at full-house scale before choosing from a close-up. A dark door against dark siding can be quiet; the same door inside a cream surround becomes a stronger focal point.

Use an accent deliberately

Try one door accent before repeating it on shutters, a garage and every porch detail. The useful question is where you want the eye to land, rather than how many surfaces can receive the accent.

Palettes to compare

CordovanCompare Cordovan on the painted front door, with the existing body and trim kept visible. Judge it beside roof, masonry, natural wood. This is an accent comparison, not a proposal to recolor natural wood.
NavalCompare Naval on the painted front door, with the existing body and trim kept visible. Judge it beside roof, masonry, natural wood. This is an accent comparison, not a proposal to recolor natural wood.
RosemaryCompare Rosemary on the painted front door, with the existing body and trim kept visible. Judge it beside roof, masonry, natural wood. This is an accent comparison, not a proposal to recolor natural wood.
Grays HarborSample Grays Harbor on the painted front door beside your existing siding and trim.
NacreSample Nacre on the painted front door beside your existing siding and trim.
Revere PewterSample Revere Pewter on the painted front door beside your existing siding and trim.

More example homes

Explore another house and compare its colors.

Midcentury modern; smooth stucco-like; gray butterfly roof; tan and gray stacked-stone entry pier.Victorian inspired cottage; horizontal lap with fish-scale gable shingles; charcoal gray side gable with front-facing gable roof; red-brick chimney; low stone foundation; red-brick walkway.Tudor revival inspired cottage; textured stucco-like with decorative half-timbering; dark charcoal steep intersecting gables with small dormer roof; red-brick arched door surround; red-brick lower facade; red-brick chimney; gray flagstone path.