Shut the Front Door

When we were thinking of what to do for our topic this week, we debated on the topic. Then it came to us.  How to pick the color of your front door! This is usually the first impression of a home and you would be surprised how often we are asked to help a client select the color of their entrance. So, how do we go about choosing the color to paint it? Usually it starts with the rest of the home’s exterior. What color is the house? What is the landscaping like? Then, we think about the homeowner. Are they a bold and fun family? Or, a quiet and classically elegant couple? A home has to create an over all impression as well. Think about where a home is located and what the homes are around you. If you are someplace where color is the key (think Charleston or Key West) then I say do it up! However, if your neighborhood is more subtle in style, say all brick homes that look similar, better to stick to a pallet that makes sense.

In some cultures, the color of your front door is more than curb appeal

However, did you know many cultures associate rather complex meanings to the colors we choose to paint our front door? The front door is thought to be the “mouth” of the home, the entry point where energy, abundance and opportunities may find us. Wow…that’s a pretty big responsibility to hang on a front door! Whether or not you believe in such things, we thought it would be fun to explore some of the symbolism and beliefs associated with the colors we sometimes choose for our front doors.

If you want your home’s curb appeal to suggest a feeling of abundance, calm and peaceful feelings, and prosperity, consider painting your front door a beautiful blue.

 

 

In the words of a wise frog: It isn’t easy being green…

How about a green door? Green is always a great choice for the front door since it’s a color that is said to represent balance, peace, compassion, growth, renewal, and harmony.

The happiest of all colors of front doors

Yellow is a color that evokes mental clarity, perception, understanding, wisdom, confidence, curiosity, humor and merriment. Wow, I’d like some of that coming into my home…wouldn’t you?

 

 

Purple rain, purple rain, I only want to see you underneath the purple rain…..

ooop, sorry… got lost in the lyrics there. any how… Surprisingly, purple is a pretty popular color for front doors in some areas. It symbolizes energy and is thought to invite many opportunities into your home.

 

As we said above, purple is is a tricky one… Think of a bright purple door on a red brick home… not so good, right?  On a white cottage? Super cute! Especially with a lot of flowers such as hydrangeas and such. 

 

 

     Classic. If you want your home to feel casual and classic and timeless, this the color you want for your front door and entryway.

 

 

White is a classic color for doors, especially on a cottage style home. Throughout history, white has come to represent purity, serenity, and virtue. It is also a very clean look. White pairs well with gray, blue, stone, yellow or green siding choices among others. 

 

 

 

Legendary. A litte more eyeliner for the entrance, you know this would be Audrey’s beach house. If you want your front door color to be classic but a but more formal and striking, black in your go to.

If your front door is near your home office, paint it black. It is said to be helpful for your career. For some this doesn’t seem like a “welcoming” type look while others love the idea. There are very few homes that we don’t recommend black as an option on.. Brick, Stone, White or gray siding all look great with black accents. 

 

 

Back to saying something without saying something. The color red for a front door.

A red front door means “welcome.” Interestingly, in early American tradition, it meant the very same thing. In fact, if a home had a red front door, tired travelers who might be traveling by horse and buggy would know the home was a place where they would be welcomed to stop and spend the night or rest. In Scotland, homeowners paint their front door red to signify they have paid off their mortgage.

 

 

Bottom line, whatever the motivation, your front door is the first impression of your home. Make it a positive one!

 

Creatively yours,

 

Andrea and Kimberly