Do front door colors mean anything? 7 most popular colors analyzed

May 20, 2023

Find out if you're perceived as intelligent, calm, creative, or ambitious all because of your front door color scheme …

Your front door is one of the most seen parts of your home's exterior and makes an important first impression, setting expectations for the interior beyond. Therefore, choosing the right color for your door is vital.

But if you're wondering if front door colors mean anything, you are not alone. Naturally, you'll want to ensure your front door sets the right tone for the rest of your home. Whatever your style or budget, there are many color ideas – with different meanings – to make a difference to your own humble front door.

Here, we’ve asked color psychologists, decorators, and interior designers for their take on front door color meanings, both classic and contemporary in their effect for inspiration and asked the experts to share their advice as well.

The best front door color ideas can refresh the exterior of a home, add the most curb appeal, and might even increase a home's value.

Bear in mind that your front door design will affect which front door paint ideas suit, as well as the period of your home and the color of paintwork visible from the street and your front porch ideas. It's also worth noting the front door colors to avoid (and why) before deciding on a hue that gives off the wrong first impression.

This timeless color is cool, calm and contemporary and works well in both period and modern schemes. 'A beautifully painted front door is the way to my heart,' says Irene Gunter, co-founder, Gunter & Co. 'Even though neutrals are popular for interiors, external schemes often fall flat without the gusto of a generous splash of color. My favorite front door colors are those that put a smile on your face. Blues would be my first port of call.'

Bold, impactful and elegant, blue is known to be a very calming hue. This makes it an exceptional choice for those who want to signal prosperity, quiet intelligence and abundance. The owner of a blue front door has likely made their home a comforting haven away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

Samantha Todhunter, founder, Samantha Todhunter Design shares a similar love for blue: 'Working with blue is endlessly interesting and playing with tones can change it from a vibrant jewel box to subtle and serene.'

First impressions count and you want to look smarter, cleaner and more inviting than your neighbors. For classic good looks, black is a winning choice for a front door color. Black is also said to be the one front door color that will add value to your property, so it is a great option if you are planning to sell.

‘A deep black front door is always in style,’ says certified color expert and interior decorator Pattie Kelly of Inspired Home Interiors. 'Black can be a natural partner to more traditional homes, and it's a shade that will stand out, making the front door a focal point.'

Those with black front doors are thought to hold positions of power and authority. This person is also believed to be serious, sophisticated and strong.

With no 'one' single meaning, a red front door is perhaps the most interesting of all colors. One of the most passsionate and life-enhancing colors to use, red offers a luxurious bank of positive energy. Historically, red has associations with wealth and status. In the 17th century, flashes of red dye were used on the soles of shoes worn by aristocratic courtiers to Louis XIV, while the use of a VIP red carpet goes back to Ancient Greece.

Despite being one of the most stressful colors; red was once also seen as 'welcoming'. In early American history, a red door let travelers that they were welcome to spend the night. This may also be the why red is a popular choice for many Colonial-style homes even now.

Intresestly, in some cultures, a front door was painted to ward of evil spirits, while in Feng Shui a red door is a symbol of good luck, and reprsents warmth, passion and aspiration.

Unsurprisingly, the owner of a red door is thought to be a born entertainer, someone fearless and with leadership qualities rivaled to none. It is also a fantastic color choice for those living in colder climates.

The color green is something of a marvel; this wonderous hue has the ability to soothe, inspire and excite. A green front door promises to renew your connection to nature and is said to evoke feelings of balance, vibrancy, and good fortune.

Popular in Feng Shui, green is believed to invite new opportunities into your life and promote growth, balance, and kindness. In western societies, green is the color of healing, safety, and forward-thinking. Its versatility means it pairs well with most other color palettes, so it is a safe yet confident choice – and one that we are sure your neighbors will also admire.

Be inspired to decorate your front door with yellow – the most cheerful color, guaranteed to inject warmth and creativity into any space. Yellow is shining a spotlight on our home's exteriors, and it is a popular Feng Shui front door color. As one of the most uplifting colors, it is not surprising that it is having a renaissance.

From pretty primrose to zesty lemon, yellow brings warmth and sunshine to every surface it touches. ‘This cheery color imbues optimism and is perfect for bringing a sense of positivity into the exterior of your home,’ says Justyna Korczynska, senior designer at Crown.

According to Karen Haller, color psychology specialist, and best-selling author of The Little Book of Color: Yellow is known to be an incredibly soothing color, bringing stability to the homeowner, and creating a sense of restfulness and wellbeing, which is why it has suddenly surged in popularity.

Yellow is a color that people are often scared to use, but it's a fantastic color to really lift a space and create interest. Those with yellow doors signify happiness, warmth, and reliability, too.

Put simply, a white front door will tell your neighbors that you are a clean, tidy, and organized person. A traditionalist at heart, the owner of a white door exudes confidence and sophistication. Many homeowners choose white for its timeless appeal, after all.

In the practice of Feng Shui, white also represents precision, happiness, and communication. White is a wonderfully versatile and tranquil color making it a beautiful choice for the exterior of your home.

Bear in mind that cleaning a front door is a more regular task the lighter the front door paint color.

Purple rooms have been having a moment since Pantone announced ‘Very Peri’, a bold blue-violet, as its color of the year for 2022, and now we’re seeing the shade popping up on front doors everywhere.

'Conjuring up scenes of trailing wisteria and swathes of moorland heather, pastel purple is an elegant choice for restful spaces, especially in more rural areas,' says Pippa Blenkinsopp, content editor and stylish, Homes & Gardens. 'While vivid violets and royal purples can be seen as daring choices, their softer-toned cousin lilac lends a soothing, gentle feel to a space, and can feel like a breath of fresh air.'

Purple, historically associated with royalty and wealth, is also a spiritual color, worn by pastors and priests. Today, purple signifies creativity, tolerance

‘Soft lilac has an inviting, friendly energy and is great for creating a relaxed entrance,’ says Francesca Wezel, founder of Francesca's Paints. ‘Associated with sociability and open-mindedness, it helps make people feel at ease – perfect for adding curb appeal. Lilac also has a slight feminine edge, which reinforces the feeling of comfortability.’

‘People are becoming braver with their color choices,’ says Matt Higgs from Klöeber. ‘We’re seeing requests for brightly colored doors, such as orange and yellow, as opposed to the more standard greys that have been so in demand recently. Black is also proving to be a popular option.’ This could be due to the color being associated with positive energy, and it is known to add the most value to a home.

Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.

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