The Best Colors for the Inside of Your Front Door
No more plain, factory-white front doors – LET’S PAINT ‘EM!
Aside from ceilings, walls, and bodies, doors are often the most overlooked paintable surfaces in a home. I’ve had clients repaint their entire homes without giving a second thought to the inside of the front door, leaving it in all of its ‘factory white’ glory.
Whereas some of us are inclined to get a bit wild and crazy on the outside of our front door, neutrals lead the pack when it comes to interior doors. Sure, a range of navy blues and greens pop up, but the most popular interior door colors have a strong, neutral base.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Before we get to the colors, let’s cover a few basics. Remember, this isn’t a TELL you what to do blog; it’s a TEACH YOU HOW TO DO IT one!
Few front doors look best in white, but this one sure does!
HOW TO PICK A COLOR FOR THE INSIDE OF YOUR DOOR
- Choose an accent color that suits the interior of your home. Accent colors tend to be darker (like the last one or two colors on a color strip). You can repeat an accent color in your space OR choose a new one that complements/contrasts your home.
- If you aren’t a fan of dark colors, some mid-tone colors and neutrals work well, too (which you’ll see shortly)!
- Look at the permanent features in your space for inspiration. If you have tile, linoleum, brick fireplace or accent wall, or stone fireplace, there should be some color inspirations that will help tie your door into the scheme of your home.
- Consider the temporary inspirations in your space, like your wall color, furnishings, textiles, and artwork.
- In the ideal world, while they don’t need to match, the interior of your front door should coordinate well with the exterior paint color.
THE BEST INTERIOR DOORS TO PAINT
It’s not just the inside of your front door that deserves a little lovin’. There are tons of doors to consider in your painting adventures!
1. THE FRONT DOOR
I have a short list of reasons why painting the inside of your front door could be the best thing you can do for your entryway…
While I love this dark wood stain, it’s a bit blotchy and I’d restain it or PAINT it!
- If there’s more than one door in the vicinity, defining the front door provides a visual cue and creates a purposeful focal point.
- The right color adds personality to your entryway.
- If your foyer is off a main room, and you can see your front door from this room, the door can act like a pretty accent/backdrop to this main living area!
- If you have wood trim, wood floor, wood door – that’s a LOT OF FRIGGIN’ WOOD! Define your front door and let your other beautiful wood features breathe a little! The same goes for all white doors.
Even though Matthew McConaughey may think it’s allwhite allwhite allwhite, it ain’t when it comes to your most important doors.
BM Revere Pewter door, SW Network Gray walls
In our previous home, the entryway had three doors that all looked the same and were shut 95% of the time (front/garage/suite). This was a great reason to single out the main door and paint it a key color. Regardless, even if your door is lonesome, it deserves a little TLC (or KLC if you hire me to help you pick a paint color!).
All door colors will be listed below in order.
2. A BACK DOOR LEADING OUT TO YOUR YARD OR GARDEN
A back door (not including a sliding door) leading out to your garden or backyard can be a great place for a dash of color! Whether it’s a set of French doors or a single door, a little dash of color will do!
I love this next door, but would include the white trim between the door and window when painting your own door…
Benjamin Moore White Dove / Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart
3. LAUNDRY ROOM, OFFICE, OR GARAGE DOOR
With laundry doors often located in central areas, adding a little love to make them interesting is okay! The same goes for office doors, often near a home’s entryway.
This next door would LOVE a lil’ color…
Sherwin Williams Creamy Benjamin Moore Cloud White trim
4. PANTRY DOOR
If your kitchen pantry door stands out compared to your cupboards (e.g., if you have colorful wood cabinets and a white pantry door), you could paint it to reduce the contrast. Alternatively, you can paint it to add some PERSONALITY!
Benjamin Moore Stone House walls
5. FRENCH DOORS
Whether leading into your backyard, office, family room, or den, French doors look fabulous with a well-chosen paint color!
The Best Blue-Gray Paint Colors
6. OR, PAINT ALL OF YOUR INTERIOR DOORS
If you’re not a fan of white doors, don’t be afraid to add a little color to your life!
While painting all of your interior doors the same color is an option, this particular post is about ‘key’ doors, or STATEMENT doors.
Do the interior and exterior of the door need to be the same color?
Absolutely not! Just think: If the exterior of your door is already painted and the interior is white, then there’s already a difference—and a high-contrast, drastic one at that.
Now, without further ado, let’s find the hue for you!
THE BEST DARK INTERIOR DOOR COLORS
While black is the most popular color for the inside of a front door (or any interior door), a few other dark shades come in a close second.
Here’s a beautiful black front door (similar to Benjamin Moore Black 2132-10) with a subtle, modern farmhouse style…
Walls are painted Benjamin Moore Soft Chamois, White Dove trim, Revere Pewter board and batten.
Here’s the ever-classic and timeless Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black in this vintage-looking mudroom…
Sherwin Williams Alabaster walls, Extra White trim
THE BEST BLACK PAINT COLORS FOR YOUR FRONT DOOR
- Benjamin Moore Black 2132-10 – hard to go wrong if you’re looking for black (find more blacks in this blog post re: exterior door colors)
- Benjamin Moore Amherst Gray or Chelsea Gray – medium-toned charcoals with a touch of green
- Sherwin Williams Dovetail or Gauntlet Gray– soft, warm gray paint colors
- Benjamin Moore Metropolis – a warmer gray compared to Dovetail
- Sherwin Williams Grizzle Gray – a darker gray-green blend, or the lighter version, Cityscape
Get Kylie’s SAMPLER PACK of Black Paint Colors!
Next up is one of my favorite DARK paint colors for doors, kitchen islands, and accent walls: Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze…
The paint color on the walls is Sherwin Williams Canvas Tan
Urbane Bronze is a stunning accent to many interior finishes, particularly homes from the early 2000s / Tuscan era. However, as shown in this next photo, it’s also a great complement to the warmth of wood stains…
The Best Colors to Update Wood Trim, Cabinets, & Floors
Here’s Urbane Bronze again, as shown in an earlier photo with Sherwin Williams Colonnade Gray on the walls…
Notice how the side light and trim are painted Urbane Bronze, too.
KYLIE’S FAVORITE SHADES OF GREIGE FOR INTERIOR DOORS
- Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze
- Sherwin Williams Porpoise
- Benjamin Moore’s Dragon’s Breath (also known as my breath first thing in the morning)
- Check out a wider range of dark greiges.
Get Kylie’s SAMPLER PACK of Dark Greige Paint Colors!
If you love depth and crave a neutral but find black a bit too sharp and harsh, you might fall in love with one of these dark shades of gray!
This first entryway has a beautiful wood ceiling (be still, my beating heart) and a wood floor. A white door would look bland and boring, while the wicked richness of Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal creates a focal point without being shocking…
Sherwin Williams Heron Plume walls
This next sliding door separates the main bathroom area from the loo. And what a great way to add a touch of personality with a gray like Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray…
Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray walls
The front door in this next home is painted Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray. For this set-up, I wouldn’t mind seeing the side lights painted the same color as the door (and maaaybe even the surrounding trim, too!).
Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray walls
KYLIE’S MOST POPULAR DARK GRAY INTERIOR DOOR PAINT COLORS
- Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray for some passive warmth with a strong gray base
- Sherwin Williams Dovetail, which is kind of like a lighter take on Gauntlet Gray
- Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray or Amherst Gray
- The wickedly dark and gorgeous, Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal
Get Kylie’s SAMPLER PACK of Dark Gray Paint Colors!
This blog post wouldn’t be complete without some beautiful, dark blue hues. This first door is Benjamin Moore’s Cheating Heart, a wickedly dark approach to blue.
Benjamin Moore White Dove and Graystone
These next interior doors might look black, but if you look at the left side door, it’s easier to see a flash of gray and blue – Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron…
Sherwin Williams Eider White
KYLIE’S FAVORITE BLUE INTERIOR DOOR COLORS
- Benjamin Moore Hale Navy is a rich navy blue that isn’t too primary-toned.
- Benjamin Moore’s Anchor Gray is a great blue-gray blend with moderate depth.
- Sherwin Williams Cyberspace is a toned-down approach to navy blue – it says ‘navy’ without being punchy.
- Sherwin Williams Charcoal Blue is popular on interior doors and exteriors, too.
- Sherwin Williams Naval is another gorgeous navy option with a bit more spazip!
- Benjamin Moore’s Cheating Heart and Wrought Iron for a deep, dark, almost ‘soft black-blue’ look.
- Sherwin Williams Indigo Batik is wicked pretty for a bit more BLUE hue.
- If you want a sampler pack of Samplize Peel & Stick, click HERE and HERE, and feel free to add any more you want to sample and compare!
Want help? Order my Front Door Paint Color Package for any door in your home!
THE BEST LIGHT TO MEDIUM-TONED INTERIOR DOOR COLORS
Not everyone wants to make a huge statement, whether it’s the inside of their front door, pantry door, or a beautiful set of French Doors. If you pick the right color, a little can say a lot!
Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter is one of the more popular interior door colors, as shown in this hallway with my favorite warm white paint color on walls and trims…
If you like a cool, slightly coastal look, check out Sherwin Williams Gris (a medium-toned gray with a strong but calming blue-green undertone) on the inside of this next front door…
Benjamin Moore Super White walls, trims, railings, and ceiling
If your home has a vintage vibe or you want something with a ‘bit’ of personality, a light or medium-toned shade of greige or green can be a beautiful choice. This next door looks similar to Sherwin Williams Techno Gray…
Walls, Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
Bouncing back to gray, check out Sherwin Williams Mineral Deposit on the inside of this Craftsman-style front door…
Walls, Benjamin Moore Rodeo
I also have mad love for Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray, shown here on the doors of my lovely friend Jen’s home (owner of LeMel Jewelry)…
The walls are painted Sherwin Williams Snowbound
THE BEST LIGHT TO MEDIUM NEUTRALS FOR INTERIOR DOORS
- Sherwin Williams Gris
- Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
- Sherwin Williams Mega Greige is a nice warm greige-taupe hybrid
- Sherwin Williams Mineral Deposit
- Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray is a smoky gray with minimal green-blue hues
- Sherwin Williams Techno Gray
INTERIOR DOORS WITH A BIT MORE COLOR
While I wouldn’t go too buck wild and crazy, a few shades can look smashing with the right color palette.
While doors AND trims is a brave approach, it can look BADASS!
This next space is full of beautiful trends, with its Matte Black GE Cafe appliances, mushroom-greige painted cabinets, and an off-white quartz countertop. What topped it all off?
Sherwin Williams Riverway, a beautiful teal-inspired paint color on the French doors
The most BEAUTIFUL paint color on the sliding French doors!
The inside of this next front door is painted the ever-lovely Sherwin Williams Tin Lizzie, a gray with a strong blue-green undertone. Notice how it bounces off the oak flooring and contrasts with the white trim – mad love…
KYLIE’S FAVE, SLIGHTLY BRAVER INTERIOR DOOR COLORS
- Sherwin Williams Riverway
- Sherwin Williams Still Water
- Any number of dark, muted greens, like Benjamin Moore Ashwood Moss
- Sherwin Williams Grays Harbor, for a nice mix of blue, green, and gray
- Sherwin Williams Tin Lizzie
The Best Dark Blue & Green Paint Colors
By the way, I have an awesome blog post about the best paint colors for the outside of your front door. In it, you’ll find some equally gorgeous options and more pretty pictures to check out!
The Best Paint Colors for the OUTSIDE of Your Front Door
FAQS & COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT PAINTING DOORS
If you didn’t get the answer you wanted in the above info, you might find it here…
SHOULD YOU PAINT THE SMALL WHITE TRIM BETWEEN THE DOOR & ITS WINDOW INSERT?
99 times out of 100, yes, it’s best to paint the white trim that separates the door and glass. If you don’t, this small white trim becomes the FEATURE rather than a supporting actor.
WHAT’S THE BEST PAINT FINISH FOR THE FRONT DOOR?
The majority of doors look best in satin finish. I’ve yet to meet a door in matte or eggshell that looks great. As for semi-gloss or high-glass, that better be one DAMN GOOD paint job, as these sheens show all the flows.
IS IT BEST TO USE A BRUSH OR ROLLER FOR THE FRONT DOOR?
Roller. A paint roller is hands down, the best way to paint a front door (other than a paint sprayer, but most homeowners don’t have one of those).
The only times you should use a brush on your front door are…
- Doors with intricate, carved details that need to be filled. However, the body of the door should be brushed.
- Cutting into areas like hinges and glass.
READ MORE
6 Best Colors for Interior Doors & Trims That AREN’T WHITE!
The 7 Best Navy and Teal Paint Color For Your Front Door
The Best Red & Burgundy Front Door Paint Colors
What’s Trendy For Stairs & Railings?
Get the best paint color advice…
Check out my E-Design & Color Consulting Packages!
*Updated with fresh images and content for 2026
What kind of paint is best for interior front doors? Like flat, or should it be trim paint? I have leftover paint that was used on my house exterior and painted on the exterior of the front door that I was thinking of using and wondered if it would be ok. Thanks for your input!
Hi Amy! I would definitely do a satin finish. This way it’s wipeable/washable but not too shiny. You’ll find traditional wall paint (eggshell/flat/matte) a bit high maintenance!
~Kylie
Can the outside of my front door be stained and the inside Ben painted a dark gray (iron ore)
Even though all other interior doors and trim is gray? Open concept and kitchen island is iron ore .
I don’t see why not!
I love reading all your helpful post. I have a dark wood
stained front door that I don’t love. It’s super dark and shiny, not my favorite. This gives me some ideas.
Thanks
That’s what I like to hear, thank you Pam!
I love the idea of painting interior front door! In our foyer there is a coat closet on each side of the front door. Would I paint those doors as well?
Hi Denise, I would likely JUST do the front door, to make it stand out a bit!
Great ideas, thanks for posting about painting the interior of the front door, exactly what we’re considering! We have a sidelight on either side of our front door – would you paint those on the interior as well, or only the interior of the front door to make it stand out? The exterior of the front door and sidelights will likely both be painted the same colour (loving the BM Hale Navy).
Hi Melissa! While there are exceptions, I generally paint both the door and the sidelight 🙂
Hi there! I’m painting my front door and side panels an emerald green to go with my red and dark brown brick but I want softer colors inside like maybe a robin’s future chicken blue. Can I paint that on the inside and it not look insane or tacky with the exterior being emerald green? Thank you for your help!
does the inside color of my front door need to go with the color of my kitchen that is across from it? you open my door , enter my front entry, and then the kitchen is right there.
Hi Erica, yup, it should coordinate and match or complement it somehow!
Hi we just recently painted our living room with assessable beige from Sherwin-Williams, we also put in dark wood floors and all of our furniture is espresso colored. We will in a ranch home and when you walk in front door you see the kitchen and the kitchen door as well, which we painted the kitchen same color as living room. Do you have any color recommendations for the front door ? And should I paint the kitchen door to the backyard the same color
Hi Heather! When it comes to personal questions, I do refer to my Edesign so I can look at your room as you’d HAVE to pull your colour from things like your fabrics, any tile, accent colours, etc…it’s a pretty important choice and I would have to see photos to see what would work!
Hi I’m poised to paint all of my interior doors charcoal black. Im loving the nordic/Scandinavia vibe for my home but wonder if painting ALL my doors black and trim white us too much? I live in BC as well, Cariboo area????. Thanks and any tips you offer in helping me woukd really be appreciated.
Hi Shauna! I would probably just do the doors for now, see how that feels – I think doors/trim could be an awful lot! I just did my own interior doors BM Revere Pewter, darkened by 50% with a few KEY doors in a dark colour – I love the balance that gives me and I will blog post about it soon!
~Kylie
Hi there,
Thank you for this post. May I ask – what’s the color on the green door in the photo above (next to the dark/black wall)?
Oh MAN, that is a good question! It was quite a few years ago and I know that I couldn’t find the chartreuse that I wanted in SW or BM, so it was a Behr colour. I ‘think’ it was Lemon Grass, or darned close to it ;).
Replacing a front door and side lights, selling house, should I paint the front door outside and inside the same color? was thinking black, the out side trim is light grey, inside trim white with taupe walls
Hi Cheryl, you can do it the same as long as it suits the exterior and the interior! Mine is black all the way around, but I’ve had homes where I’ve adjusted the interior to suit it a bit better :).
Hey Kylie! I’ve been thinking about painting our doors dark. We have all neutral tones greys throughout the house, so I was thinking a near black colour. Our master bedroom is painted Oxford White with one Wrought Iron wall behind the bed. Since we already used Wrought Iron and loved it, that’s what I was thinking for the doors, too. But would it be too much in one room to have a black wall, a black door and black double closet doors? The room is average sized, room for a bed and dresser. Mainly I’m asking: in this instance, would it be better to use the same colour as the accent colour, or go lighter?
Hi Jojo, well, I can speak RIGHT to this as I have BM White Dove on my walls with Wrought Iron as my feature wall in MY bedroom! So, if it were ME, I wouldn’t. Sometimes you can actually dilute the impact of something with overuse. I actually have a lot of my doors painted BM Revere Pewter (50% darker) and I would take an approach more like that rather than more of the dark colour :).
Hi Kylie! I love your posts! I am going to paint the interior of my front door a medium dark color, with the frame matching with white dove trim we have. The question is the single sidelight, match the trim or the door? Also, if we match the door what about the support piece between the door and the sidelight? White or door color?
Thank you!
I can’t be the only one with this question. I want to paint the inside of my front door Sherwin Williams Storm Cloud. The walls are Northstar. Do I leave the wood outline around the door white or paint it to match the door?
Hi! So I am building a tiny house on a lake. I am trying to create a space that is very fun, bright, and beachy feeling. I want it to look very different than a house I would live in permanently. This is just a fun little get away home so I want to create a happy space. The outside is going to be navy with a teal door, tantalizing teal from sherwin Williams. The question is, should I paint the inside of the door the same color or should I paint it white? I plan to have pinks, yellows, teals, and other fun colors accenting throughout the tiny house. Very much like a tropical oasis. I am also considering painting the few lower cabinets in the kitchen a fun color too and have pondered the same teal. The upper cabinets will be white. Thoughts?
You know, with it being a small home and loving this colour ANYWAY, I would be inclined to wrap it around on the inside of the door too :). HOWEVER, I would worry that doing it on the lower cabinets as well could be ‘too much of a good thing’. How about something a tone or 2 lighter???
Hi Kylie…
For interior front doors with sidelights AND huge square window above it (2 story foyer) …Should I paint the trim Tricorn as well? All trim in house is painted Super White. I’m assuming i would leave giant window above front door white?
As soon as you open front door you see stairway to 2nd floor. Banister is white & carpeted.
Perfect Christmas break project 😉 Exterior of door is already Tricorn .
thanks so much.
Kylie – enjoyed your advice on interior contrasting door colors; we have bright white trim and base boards, should the door jams be white like the trim or the same color as the interior door contrast color?
Thanks –
Hey Jeff, I’d definitely keep the jams the same color as the trims (which is also a WAY easier paint job 🙂