8 Best Front Door Paint Colors for Every Home Style

The best front door paint colors often combine suitability, timeless charm, and personality. With a well-chosen shade, in one afternoon, you can transform a ho-hum door into something that gets your neighbors talking—for less than a hundred dollars!

But with the most popular shades ranging from navy blue, charcoal, black, red, and green to burgundy and yellow, it can be hard to know what’s best.

Thank goodness you have a little Ginger tucked in your back pocket (nice buns, by the way). I’ve put together some of the most suggested and selected front door paint colors from my Online Color Consulting.

But first (I recommend going headfirst, but you do you)…

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR BEST FRONT DOOR PAINT COLOR

It’s not all about you (not all the time, anyway); it’s about the color that best suits your home and its finishes.

1. YOUR MAIN HOUSE COLOR

Consider the main color of your home, whether it’s painted siding or stucco, brick, render, limestone, stone veneer, or fieldstone.

• Do you want to add a soft, subtle accent – something that sits gently with your home’s main color with modest contrast? Or…
• Do you want to really contrast your home’s main color? Contrast can be made with an opposite color (e.g., red brick with a green door) or with a strikingly different color depth (e.g., a white home with a black door).

This blue siding and gold front door are a high-contrast combo. 

Of course, you’ll need to mind your trim color as well, especially if it isn’t white…and that’s a blog post unto itself.

2. FRONT PATHWAY/DECK/STAIRS

If you have a stone or brick pathway/stairs leading to your front door, it can play a huge part in your color choice – right up there with your main house color.

Consider colors that your house color and pathway agree on – colors that play well with both, vs. catering to one or the other. MANY homes have several options!

3. YOUR ROOF

Most roofs have a color connected to them. For example, dark charcoal gray-black roofs most often have a purple undertone. Other roofs can have orange, purple, green, or other shades. Red-tile roofs tend to have red-orange and sometimes purple-pink hues. Consider whether you want to pick up that color (or not). If your roof doesn’t get a ton of eyeballs on it from the curb, you might not pay it much mind.

This roof has a purple-mauve hue, along with gray-green and beige-orange. It ain’t neutral! 

4. WINDOW COLOR

While your main house color is the boss, consider your windows’ color and what might work with it. For example, if you have taupe, almond, beige, or greige windows, a bright teal front door could look out of character and out of the palette. However, white and black windows can be a lot more flexible.

5. LANDSCAPING

Consider colors that are consistent in your landscaping, especially around your front door. Maybe you have a gorgeous evergreen with green-blue hues that you want to repeat. Or you might have a bush with red leaves that are around for much of the year, and you want to contrast them.

That said, NOTHING matters more than the main finishes in your home, so these should come last.

CONSIDER YOUR IDEAL LRV

What depth (LRV) are you searching for? The most common LRV range for front doors is 2-20; these colors are in the medium-dark to dark/black range. However, some opt for light shades for a gentler look (but rarely above 55).

If you don’t know what LRV is – THREE SLAPS WITH A WET NOODLE! Just joking – you’re forgiven if you read this. 

1. THE BEST NAVY BLUE FRONT DOOR PAINT COLORS

Navy blue is a wicked choice for a front door and is hugely popular. Blue can be rich and classic or fun and fresh, but today’s homeowners prefer more traditional navy blue hues.

But first, there are two types of blues – blue-green and blue-purple. Sure, some blues settle in the middle, but most cater to one undertone or the other. More often than not, exterior finishes prefer a blue-purple to a blue-green (although many homeowners prefer blue-green).

Benjamin Moore’s Wrought Iron is a super dark blend of blue and black (mad love). Cheating Heart is also amazeballs (read their reviews HERE). The above door is most similar to Cheating Heart and looks gorgeous with the greige siding and orange-brown brick steps.

Wrought Iron is on this next front door, offering a sharp, dark contrast to the light green siding and red-orange-purple-toned brick post and front pathway…

Then there are the more classic shades, like Benjamin Moore Hale Navy. Oh, haaaale yes! It’s hard to go wrong with its classic, timeless look (read its COLOR REVIEW).

Red brick exteriors often look STUNNING with a well-chosen blue hue…

A FEW MORE BLUE HUES TO SAMPLE & COMPARE…

• Sherwin Williams Naval is a handsome fellow, and the perfect complement to almost any siding (read its COLOR REVIEW).
• Farrow & Ball’s Drawing Room Blue offers a super classic, lightly nautical nod to navy blue.
• Sherwin Williams Cyberspace is a dark navy with a decent gray undercurrent (read its COLOR REVIEW).
• Benjamin Moore Newburyport Blue has a bit more gray and appears slightly ‘softer’ than Naval.

While there are about half a dozen or more navy blues that I could rattle off the top of my head, those are a few good ones to get you started.

Here’s a peel-and-stick sample of my favorite navy blue, Benjamin Moore Hale Navy…

Or, order a set of my FAVORITE navy blues for front doors HERE & HERE! 

2. THE BEST TEAL (BLUE-GREEN) FRONT DOOR COLORS

Whether looking for a farmhouse or a beachy look, there is nothing like a fresh, modern teal paint color for your front door! Teal is a mixture of blue and green—and not always an even mixture. Some teals lean more toward blue, while others lean more toward green and pick up some gray along the way.

This next brick exterior was a little lackluster, and the cream door and trim clashed with the pink-toned brick. My clients hired me to give it a full color facelift…

After, it looks like a brand new home with its painted brick (Sherwin William White Duck) and gorgeous blue-green front door…

Benjamin Moore Sioux Falls

On the home above, notice how I chose the front door color to politely contrast and complement the purple tones in the brick, without going too dark or harsh.

Not every home needs a bright or dark front door color to look its best! 

Decide which type of teal suits your home and personal tastes.

• Bright teal suits fewer homes. You have a better chance if you have white or light gray siding.
• More moderate blue-green blends are popular for a gentle farmhouse or cottage look, but can suit a wide range of styles.
• Darker blue-green blends can offer more contrast. From there, you decide how much gray you want mixed in. Remember, sometimes less is a more when it comes to front doors!

My next Online Color Consulting client started with a soft blue-green with a gray…

We lightened up the siding color and went with a darker gray-blue hue (that section is coming up shortly)…

While the blue-green was pretty, this home LOVES it’s darker shade!

Teal is often top of mind when my clients have red brick, as the right blue-green can be a beautiful complement. However, it easily overwhelms bricks with multiple colors/shades. It’s often best for more solid-colored bricks, like this next home…

The Best Front Door Colors for Red Brick Exteriors

Many home styles, including the above home, look best when the front door matches the shutters. In this case, we chose Sherwin Williams Rocky River.

• For a gentle look, Benjamin Moore Wythe Blue is one of my favorite blue-green-gray blends. Whether you prefer the lighter version, Palladian Blue (REVIEW), or the darker Stratton Blue, this blue-green range is a wicked choice for a front door.
• Farrow & Ball’s Vardo is a gloooorious shade of teal.
• I can also be talked into Sherwin Wiliams Peacock Plume or Teal Stencil for a bit more color.
• Sherwin Williams Riverway is a top color for the average front door. If you want more depth, Still Water is amazeballs.

This next front door, painted Benjamin Moore Bella Blue, is one of my favorites…

Bella Blue is a slightly brighter teal and is the perfect complement to the gray siding and white trim on this classic, slightly Craftsman beauty.

WANT A TEAL BLUE WITH MORE PERSONALITY?

• You’ll find that Benjamin Moore Mexicali Turquoise is a vibrant, lighter, brighter front door color.
• Benjamin Moore Cool Aqua and Sherwin Williams Aquarium are teals with more spazip! (Spazip is a super technical term.)
• If you like a green-blue with a slightly vintage feel, Benjamin Moore Hazy Blue might be for you! 
• For a darker approach to teal (blue-green blend), check out Benjamin Moore Yorktowne Green.

The Best Teal & Blue Paint Colors for Your Front Door

Get the best paint color advice with Kylie M’s Online Paint Color Consulting services! 

3. THE BEST GREEN FRONT DOOR PAINT COLORS

There’s something about a solid dark green that seems to work on many homes—could it be the right color for yours?

First up, you need to know about the 2 main types of green. Of course, the odd green comes across neutral, but most lean green-blue (cool) or green-yellow (warm). Green yellows can look more organic and olive-inspired, whereas green-blues are often a bit more traditional or classic.

This first front door has my heart…

This is a more emerald-inspired green and is a gorgeous partner to the surrounding stone (what you can see of it), brick, and landscaping. If you love this look, check out Sherwin Williams Shamrock and Isle of Pines.

If your home prefers a more passive approach, let’s see what else I’ve got up my colorful lil’ sleeves.

Let’s start with Benjamin Moore Dark Pewter, which is a dark, moody shade of green-blue…

Sherwin Williams Night Owl looks great in contrast with the warm brown-beige roof and siding…

Note how the shutters and front door match. A home like this doesn’t want multiple colors.

Here’s a peel-and-stick sample of Ashwood Moss, a gorgeously calm green for front doors…

SOME DARKER, POPULAR GREEN DOOR COLORS…

• Benjamin Moore Ashwood Moss is one of my favorite darker green paint colors
• Sherwin Williams Shade Grown is a slightly saturated, richer take on green, the same as Ripe Olive.
• Sherwin Williams Thunder Gray is a muted green with a gray backdrop. If you’re nervous about too much green, this is a great place to start!
• Benjamin Moore Tarrytown Green is a traditional, slightly cool shade of green with a hunter-green vibe.
• Benjamin Moore Rainy Afternoon has a calming, West Coast, woodsy vibe without being too visually heavy or saturated.
• Sherwin Williams Pewter Green (REVIEW) has a good kick of green without going over the top. The slightly lighter Retreat (REVIEW) is gorgeous, too.

But dark green isn’t always the answer…

This next home was oooookay with its blue front door, but it clashed with the siding’s undertones…

But I knew the siding color (Benjamin Moore Dragon’s Breath) would be WAY better suited to a lil’ chartreuse (Benjamin Moore Chartreuse), which also satisfied the owner’s desire for something a little OUTSIDE the box!

This next homeowner craved something a little softer. While she asked for some coral-peachish hues (which I humored), green-gray was a much better direction… 

We sampled a range of green-gray paint colors, including a particular green-gray called Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay (not shown above). Here’s how it looks now…

Sherwin Williams Best Medium to DARK Green Paint Colors

Benjamin Moore’s Best Dark Green Paint Colors

4. THE BEST RED & BURGUNDY FRONT DOOR PAINT COLORS

While red might be a popular choice, it can be overkill in many homes.

Why?

Red can have a strong personality (ahem, you may have noticed my hair) and specific emotions attached to it. Sure, all colors can, but red is known for being pretty darn fiery if not chosen carefully.

This next door in Scotland (limestone build) is gloriously and unapologetically red, and I’m here for it…

However, it can be hard to get good coverage with a red that’s that pigmented (e.g., BM Neon Red or Exotic Red) – have fun (insert a vat of wine HERE). Instead, you might take a small edge off with colors like Benjamin Moore Heritage Red – it’s gorg.

This next home has a beautiful red door, but it’s a bit too cool. If the homeowner still wanted red, I’d tweak it a bit warmer and more red-orange to better complement the siding’s green…

On the other hand, this next home’s taupe siding and black shutters look badass and beautiful with the cool red front door paint color (Benjamin Moore Dinner Party)…

Here are a few more faves…

• Farrow & Ball’s Rectory Red is a modest, but purposeful approach to red, with a flash of pink in its backdrop.
• Check out Benjamin Moore’s Sundried Tomato. It’s close to being red but has enough of a burgundy/grounded base to keep it calm and collected.
• Benjamin Moore New London Burgundy is a more typical burgundy than those with stronger brown, purple, or orange undertones.
• I’m also obsessed with Sherwin Williams Rustic Red for a slightly red-orange take on things.
• Benjamin Moore Caliente is a gorgeous, sumptuous red, one of my faves for real personality (read its REVIEW).

If you’re looking for a more ravishing red (check out my profile photo—wink, wink), check out this blog post dedicated to the WILD WORLD OF RED…

The Best Red & Burgundy Front Door Paint Colors

5. THE BEST BLACK FRONT DOOR COLORS

Black is bold and a great way to make a statement in a large or small home. It looks especially fabulous when paired with crisp white trim.

But while it CAN look sophisticated and timeless, it can be overwhelming on some homes.

Here’s a peel-and-stick sample of Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black, a gorgeous, classic shade of black…

HOMES THAT SUIT BLACK DOORS

• Often have a dark charcoal-black roof.
• Have black windows or other black features (lighting/address numbers/etc).
• Suit a classic, more stately look OR lean into modern farmhouse – black is not for the faint of heart.
• Gray siding is especially popular with black front doors. The same goes for gray limestone/stone exteriors.

Here are a few blacks to sample and compare…

• Benjamin Moore Black 2132-10. Yup, just Black – clearly, a rocket scientist named it.
• Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black (REVIEW) or Iron Ore (REVIEW) are beautiful black choices. Tricorn Black is bolder and more striking, whereas Iron Ore is slightly softer.
• The 8 Best Black Paint Colors blog post or the 3 Best Black Front Door Paint Colors.

And don’t forget, many of these colors can be gorgeous on the inside of your front door, too!

Black doesn’t always suit homes with river rock, ledge stone detail, or front doors under a heavy shadow.

Get a sample set of my FAVORITE black paint colors! 

6. THE BEST GRAY & CHARCOAL FRONT DOOR COLORS

Shades of gray and charcoal are popular with homeowners these days. Their varying undertones suit many homes without the intimidating sharpness of black.

We looked at this next door previously. This is the ever-lovely Benjamin Moore Charcoal Slate, a color I refer to ALL THE TIME in my Online Color Consulting. Charcoal Slate is a moody, gray-blue blend…

Gray doors aren’t just popular in Canada and the US; they’re also reasonably popular in the UK, suiting a wide range of exterior finishes, including stone, brick, and render. Howevaaaa (said in a Scottish accent), many of these doors better suit a gray with a wee wink o’ green undertone, as shown with this sandstone exterior…

Was that my passive-aggressive attempt to scoot you to the green-gray world? You bet your cute little booty it was – they often have a bit more softness. But you do you, boo.

Also, if you’re from the UK and would like the NCS notations for any of these colors, please holler! The UK uses more Dulux and I’m happy to find the best match for you. 

As for the real gray world, let’s take a peek…

DARKER SHADES OF GRAY/CHARCOAL FOR DOORS…

• I have MAD love for Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray (REVIEW), a slightly warmer, deep charcoal.
• For a softer look, check out Sherwin Williams Dovetail (REVIEW), the slightly lighter version of Gauntlet Gray.
• You can also check out Benjamin Moore Amherst Gray (REVIEW), a medium-dark charcoal with a MINOR green undertone. Kendall Charcoal (REVIEW) is also a big hit for a more striking look, like the darker version of Amherst Gray.
• I also love Benjamin Moore Gray 2121-10s (REVIEW) passive approach, with its violet-blue undertones.

Here’s the above-mentioned, Gauntlet Gray…

Does your front door have sidelights or a transom? Read this next…

Should Sidelights Match the Front Door or the Trim?

While this is an interior door, Sherwin Williams Gris looks beautiful with the crisp white walls. It could look just as good on an exterior with white siding…

My next client came to me with her front door painted Benjamin Moore Graystone. While it was ooookay (a ringing endorsement, for sure), considering the purple-pink hues in her roof, it wasn’t the best choice…

And while Graystone might be the PERFECT, medium-depth, muddy gray for your siding and roof, take a look at the updated look of Cheating Heart (with Benjamin Moore Sea Pearl on the siding and brick)…

MEDIUM-DEPTH GRAYS FOR FRONT DOORS

If you want a softer approach, I highly recommend…

• Benjamin Moore Platinum Gray for a modest look with minimal undertones.
• Sherwin Williams Gris or Mineral Deposit offers a beautiful green-blue, stormy hue.
• Sherwin Williams Network Gray for an interesting blend of gray and blue with a moderate depth.

7. THE BEST YELLOW & GOLD FRONT DOOR COLORS

Yellow and gold can look warm and welcoming on a home. Just remember that yellow reflects much more light than most other colors, so when choosing, make sure its intensity suits your home and your personal style (in other words, err on the side of caution when choosing ‘intensity’). 

It can be darn hard to find a good, bright, genuine yellow that can be used on an exterior, as they easily fade with UV exposure/aren’t recommended. Also, because they reflect a lot of light, they often look brighter and can look garish in many homes. 

Often, yellows that lean a bit yellow-orange (gold) or yellow-green, settle better. This next home’s navy blue siding looks gorgeous with its golden-yellow front door…

• Benjamin Moore Stuart Gold is a rich and stately gold color—not too yellow, not too orange—just right!
• Sherwin-Williams Classical Gold, which has a golden yellow-orange hue, and Gambol Gold, which has a hint of green.
• Sherwin Williams Brittlebush is gloriously gold, with a pretty yellow-orange hue, but some might find it a wink too orange. I think it’s fab.
• I tried for Sherwin Williams Rayo de Sol, but it’s too strong for exterior use. However, there is SW Cheerful, which is quite colorful; just make sure you use high-quality paint. 

8. THE BEST ORANGE FRONT DOOR PAINT COLORS

While orange isn’t remotely near the top of the popularity list, it can be a fun and surprising choice for many homes.

Check out this next brick and siding-clad 1970s home…

Along with painted brick and a new overhang, my client wanted a front door that stood out from the rest. I showed him some beauties, and he settled on Sherwin Williams Knockout Orange!

Sherwin Williams Hearty Orange is another heart throb when it comes to orange-red blends…

On the other hand, if you like orange in small doses, you might want a color that tips its hat a bit more towards dusky peach or coral…

POPULAR QUESTIONS

While I can’t cover everything in one blog post, here are the most common questions I get asked…

WHAT’S THE BEST FRONT DOOR PAINT COLOR?

The best color for your front door is the one that suits your siding, roof, stone, brick, walkway, and surrounding landscape. There is no ‘universally best’ front door paint color. However, black is commonly the most ‘popular’ shade.

SHOULD THE FRONT DOOR BE LIGHTER OR DARKER THAN THE HOUSE?

Most of the time, the front door is darker than the rest of the house, although there are exceptions, especially on dark gray homes. However, the odd home looks beautiful in colors with similar depth and compatible undertones…

WHAT FRONT DOOR PAINT COLOR IS BEST FOR RESALE?

Black is one of the best colors for resale as long as it suits the home. If black is too sharp, check out colors like Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart and Urbane Bronze, and see if their softness/undertones suit your home a bit better.

Should Sidelights Match the Front Door or the Trim?

SHOULD THE FRONT DOOR & BACK DOOR BE THE SAME COLOR?

HECK NO! While they CAN be the same color, they can do their own thing. The back of this home has a bit more personality with its Cheating Heart doors…

WHAT COLOR DOOR MAKES YOUR HOME LOOK MORE EXPENSIVE?

While it’s more important that your front door matches the surrounding finishes and environment, black is often seen as a classic shade for expensive-looking homes.

READ MORE

The 3 Best Black Front Door Paint Colors

The 5 Best Paint Colors for Shutters on BRICK Homes

Get the best paint color advice in North America with Kylie M’s Online Paint Color Consulting services!