Front Door Colors (39 Paint Ideas & Color Meanings)
An entryway paint color is one of the simplest ways to add curb appeal to a home. It is also the perfect opportunity to make your house stand out. A unique pop of color can instantly turn a dull facade into an eye-catching feature for your home. The exterior of a house is the perfect canvas for exploring a wide myriad of colors to express one’s personal taste and style. One can choose from a broad spectrum of front door colors, and each hue signifies a specific meaning.
Choosing the right color may be intimidating because of the numerous options. The main entrance is more than just an entry to your home. It offers people a quick look at your personality and simply showcases your lifestyle. They say that an entryway is also a mirror of one’s personality and how we are as a person.
First impressions begin here, so it is important to take careful thought in deciding how you want it to look. Others use it to make an impressive bold statement, while others prefer subtlety over contrast. Whatever your preference, it is significant to know what each front door color means and how it affects the perception of the people around you.
Read on as we take you through this ultimate guide on front doors. Know what your paint color choices say about you and your home.
What Color to Paint My Front Door
Choosing a color for your front door does not require technical skills, but it isn’t as simple as picking a favorite color then putting it at the entry of your home. Front doors make a big impact so deciding on the perfect color for it actually need some careful thought and attention.
Although there is no general rule in mixing and matching colors for your home, there are several approaches which one can use to take out the guesswork in picking a color for a front door. These design factors are (1) your personality, (2) your home’s design and style and (3) your home’s energy based on the principles of Feng Shui and (4) color guides using the color wheel.
Using the style of your home. Your home’s style and its colors is a good guide to see what works and what doesn’t when it comes to front door colors. Each design style usually corresponds to a specific color palette. Classic inspired homes usually have timeless and elegant so a white front door looks fitting for it.
Traditional homes usually have a rich color palette which makes deep dark colored brown doors a perfect match. Cottage homes take inspiration from nature that is why its colors are usually charming like green or light blue. Modern houses usually go for minimalist palettes with a pop of color like a red or lime green door.
Make sure that your front door harmonizes well with the style of your home, its features, as well as its surrounding environment. Matching front door colors with garage door colors is not commonly done.
However to create a cohesive design style a complementary color from using a color wheel can be utilized with great results. A caveat to this is found on traditional style homes which frequently match colors of the front door, door frame, window trim and garage together.
Using your personality. Your house is a reflection of yourself. Selecting a color for your front door is an avenue for unique self expression, individuality and creativity. Infusing your personality in your front door’s paint color and accents makes the home closer to one heart because it directly mirrors you.
It is also known that the color of your entryway reflects the kind of home you have and the kind of person you are. These color meanings and what it says about one’s personality will be discussed as we go through our article.
Using your home’s energy. The Feng Shui method is all about harmonizing your home’s decor in order to harness positive energy. According to its principles, front door colors play an important role in this. Read on if you want to know more about choosing the right front door colors according to the laws of Feng Shui.
Using the color wheel. It is highly beneficial to understand a few color basics when choosing the right front door color for your home. There’s a basic science involved which eliminates confusion in making decisions for this.
The color wheel is a simple decorating tool which designer’s use to formulate harmonious color palettes. Based on the color wheel, there are several color combinations which one can use in picking a front door color namely complimentary color scheme, analogous color scheme, monochromatic color scheme and neutral color scheme.
The complimentary color scheme makes use of colors which are opposite each other on the color wheel (red and green, blue and orange, yellow and purple). This is perfect if you want to add contrast and create a highly energized and dramatic feel for your house’s exterior.
For example, a red brick house can get a punch of color from an olive green entryway, a pale yellow cottage house looks more charming with a purple door. On the other hand, the analogous color scheme makes use of colors which are found next to each other in the color wheel (example: yellow green, green, blue green).
Analogous color schemes are more harmonious and subdued looking. The colors can be adjusted to make them more muted. It is also perfect for contemporary houses. For example, a red brick home with a reddish violet front door gives the entrance a warm and inviting feel.
Another option is the monochromatic color scheme is based on different values of the same color. It mainly consists of different shades, which are the darker values, or tones, which are the lighter values. To add depth and visual interest, finishes and door hard wares are usually given a punch.
This color scheme is ideal if you want to give your house exterior a more expansive look. For example a white house can have a cream front door to make it look bigger.
Lastly, the neutral color scheme makes use of white, black, gray and browns for the color palette. This is highly suitable for homeowners who want to achieve a timeless look. A good example would be a brown brick home with white door.
Why Consider Color For Doors
Some more guidelines to keep in mind in picking the right paint color of the front door for your home:
Use the front door to create an impact. The front door is what your guests usually see first when they enter your home, so use it wisely to make a statement. It is also considered to be the perfect opportunity for color. For those who want a pop of color the front door is often chosen exclusively, with the rest of the home’s exterior using a different color palette.
Decide on whether you want to contrast or blend. Choosing a front door color that contrasts with your house’s exterior color scheme directs attention to your home, making the main entry the main focal point. Houses with light sidings have more depth if paired with a darker front door and a darker home with a bright front door has more dimension.
In this picture we can see how different front door colors give house exteriors a specific character. from to the formality of crisp white front door to the enticing charm of a carmine red front door – each serves as a unique reflection of one’s character and personal taste.
Color Meanings Behind Each Door
Color is considered to be an important part of branding. The colors that we choose for our house’s interiors and exteriors say a lot about our personality. It is also known to be a universal communication tool which helps us convey and express certain feelings and emotions. Just by looking at our front doors, our guests can have an impression of how our homes are like or what we are like as an individual.
Color is also known to generate emotions and relate to people’s behavior. A study called Color Psychology suggests that colors greatly “influence our moods, feelings, emotions and behaviors”.
Consequently, the colors that we choose for our front doors and houses can affect our moods too. Warm colors like red, yellow and orange can evoke warmth and positivity. While cool colors like blue, violet and green give off a calm feeling.
So we see, choosing a color for our front door actually requires much thought. In this article, we will explore the meanings of different entryway colors and some matching ideas to help you decide which one is the best for your home.
Red Door
Red front doors give a powerful punch to homes. Aside from creating a bold statement, painting your entryway in red will surely make your house stand out. Red doors generally express a sense of “welcome” and give guests an inviting feel.
So if you want your visitors to instantly feel hospitality as soon as they step into your porch, then this might be the perfect match for you. It also conveys a vibrant, passionate, fun and full of life attitude. According to feng shui principles, a red door symbolizes a positive energy flow and good luck.
There are several shades of red which suit front doors well. Aside for the vibrant fire engine red or the captivating merlot, other options include burgundy – suitable for those who want an interesting front door color but do not like too much intensity, brick red – a more modern take which makes a good accent door for modern homes and wine red
This red entryway instantly livens up the facade of this home. This hue which screams “passion” stands in stark contrast against beige house sidings and surrounding luscious greenery.
Yellow House with a Red Front Door
A yellow house with a red entryway and white trim is the perfect color palette for the exterior of a cottage home. Combining the cheery ambiance of yellow and the intensity of red, this house’s entrance leaves a welcoming feeling to guests.
Blue House with Red Front Door
A red front door when added to a cornflower blue exterior creates an eye catching contrast which directs the attention to the main entrance of the home.
White House with Red Front Door
A classic combination, this white house with a red front door is a show stopper as it commands attention and creates a warm invitation for guests to enjoy. The complimentary addition of green shutters, green drapes for the windows and verdant foliage balances put the overall look of this facade.
Blue Door
According to several studies, blue is the most popular color for front doors. This color is considered to be regal and rich yet fun and funky. Reminiscent of the water and the heavens, blue is also considered to be a symbol of cleansing and fluidity.
Houses with blue front doors are perceived to be a place of refuge – serene, peaceful, calm and a relaxing retreat. While people with blue front doors in their homes usually have a “go with a flow” personality and usually attract others. It is also believed to be a color of imagination, dreams and inspiration, so if you are an artist you might want to consider this for your front door.
Popular shades of blue which are used for front doors are navy- deep and formal, teal – tamed and subdued and dusty blue – light and charming.
A blue front door brings calmness to the warm texture of red bricks in this house’s exterior. It’s formal, traditional yet very interesting.
Yellow House with Blue Front Door
A blue front door and a yellow house is one of the most well loved exterior color palettes. This cobalt blue door adds a contradicting yet charming touch to pale yellow house sidings -as you can see it also matches the colors of the flowers in the garden. How lovely!
Light Blue Doorway
The color light blue reminds us of the beach and clear waters so this color is appropriate for homeowners who have that “beachy” relaxed state of mind. A light blue front door conveys calm and peace. Homes with a light blue door are commonly perceived to be a “getaway” from the busy world. This cool blue hue also expresses a calm and inviting feel.
Placed against a rustic background of brown bricks and lush climbing vines, this refreshing light blue front door balances out the rugged look of this house’s facade by bringing a sense of calm which reminds us of the sea.
Navy Blue Door
A navy blue colored front door never changes its appearance and does not go out of style. It looks good with almost any type of decor and works well with a gray or a light blue house. This color also has a distinct vintage vibe and is loved by many because its color appears to shift with regards to the time of the day.
Navy blue front door represents safety, security and stability. It evokes peace and creates a sense of calm for those who enter your home. If you consider your home to be a safe sanctuary, then use a navy blue door to echo that. According to feng shui principles, it also symbolizes abundance and represent the water element.
Paired with matching accent stones, beige colored sidings and white trims, this navy blue front door keeps up with the formality of the exterior while adding a subdued pop of color. Navy blue front doors are a perfect alternative for black doors and is ideal for homeowners who do not want to commit to the intensity of bright colors.
Yellow Door
If you want to uplift your spirits after a tiring day at work and get a cheerful vibe for your home, paint your front door yellow. Yellow is perceived to be a “happy color”. Compared to other colors, it reflects more light, thus instantly lighting up spaces and giving off a warm and welcoming feeling in your home’s exterior. A yellow front door gives an unexpected burst of color to your home and easily revives a boring facade.
A yellow front door symbolizes mental clarity, cheerfulness, wisdom, confidence, creativity and intellect. This bright invigorating color radiates a positive charge and an optimistic charm. Yellow front doors also carry a promise of a positive future.
Homeowners with yellow front doors are often perceived to be crowd-pleasing, a stand out and considered as leaders of the pack. If you want your visitors to consistently feel merry whenever they enter the home, then a yellow front door might be the right match for you.
Blue House with Yellow Entryway
Aside from being an element of classic charm, this pale yellow front door unifies the architecture of this bluish gray house with the surrounding landscape of this classic cottage home.
Warm and embodying optimistic charm, this bright yellow entryway instantly brings happiness and a sunny feeling to this weathered brick house with window flower boxes.
This modern house features a bright yellow entryway next to a solid pane of glass giving it a unique design.
Black Door
The color black is commonly associated with strength, power and authority. It can command attention and can awaken strong emotions. A black entryway symbolizes conservatism, consistency, and reservation.
The beauty of using black for your entryway color is that it offers a timeless look, which means it will not go out of style despite of different trends – think of it like your favorite little black dress. A simple black front door embodies sophistication and elegance, giving the home a sense of refined beauty.
Although some may regard it negatively as it tends to give off a feeling of emptiness, black front doors are actually very chic and elegant on the contrary.
Combined with neutral accent stone columns, white trims and antique hardware, this elegant black entryway brings a bold and elegant statement to the facade of this gray house.
Pink Door
Pink is often associated with anything romantic. Considered to be a color of happiness, it evokes feelings that are fun and exciting. A pink entryway symbolizes youthfulness, lightheartedness, and being risk taker.
Homeowners with pink front doors are often perceived to be cheerful, generous, and thoughtful. It is also considered to be a vintage color, often associated with palettes that are chic – like black, white, and hot pink. It particularly looks good on cottage houses, brick houses, and white houses.
Rendering a romantic charm to this lovely gray cottage house, this pink entryway harmoniously blends with blooming pink, red and fuchsia flowers.
Teal Door
If you want something traditional that isn’t boring, a teal entryway is the perfect match for you. It can match almost any design style, from the formality of historic architecture to the quirkiness of the timeless eclectic style.
Teal front doors are also a perfect match for a house with full wooden sidings or a white exterior. Teal is a cool color that also reminds us of the calmness of the skies. Teal front doors symbolize creativity and can boost emotional healing.
This teal entryway takes the center stage as it pops out of a canvass of white bricks and a white picket doorway. With a French door style the design allows in more natural light and adds considerable charm to the home’s curb appeal.
This teal entryway gives a refreshing punch to the warmth of this house’s terracotta brick exterior.
Orange Door
What other color best can best represent a bold, warm welcome aside from orange? This color combines the excitement of red and the happiness of yellow. Think of it as the main feature of a shining home. Orange is also believed to be “the color of an extrovert” as it matches persons with a fun-loving, friendly, and sociable personality. It also symbolizes energy, positivity and enthusiasm.
An orange entryway is a bold statement that can draw people’s attention and make them feel more invited in your home. Considered to be a show-stopping color, an orange front door is perfect for homeowners who want a punch of color for their modern homes. It is a perfect match for minimalist and streamlined architectural styles.
An orange entryway enhances the curb appeal of this gray American style home. This radiant hue gives off a cheery feel to this home’s muted palette .
White Door
White is known to be the color of purity. Its crisp color conveys cleanliness and gives a sense of organization to homes. A white entryway symbolizes serenity, and peacefulness and can represent a new beginning. According to the principles of feng shui, a white door represents neutrality. Although it does not attract feng shui energy, it can contain it.
The color white is considered to be a “fail proof color” because of the versatility and flexibility it offers in terms of design. Although commonly used for formal classic exteriors, a white front door can go well with any exterior color and architectural inspiration.
It is a perfect way to lighten up dark exteriors and create contrast in a palette. Even white exteriors look elegant with white doors as an all white facade exudes tranquility.
White front doors are a classic statement for traditional homes. In this picture we see it how it offers a clean crisp look to a gray stucco exterior.
A white front door breaks the rough, warm and rustic appearance of stones and bricks in this country home’s exterior.
Purple Door
The color purple is popularly known as the “color of royalty”. This color represents wealth, honor and loyalty. It combines the stimulating energy of red and the peaceful sense of calm of blue.
A purple front door may be one of the least popular choices for a house’s facade. But it’s rich dark color gives off a regal flair and makes houses feel welcoming. Homeowners with purple front doors are also often perceived to be open minded, artistic and free spirited dreamers. In feng shui, it is considered to be the most versatile color as it is the only color that can be applied to any direction.
A rich purple front door is the perfect accent for a red brick house with white trims as it brings an unexpected statement and regal flair.
Green Door
Green is the color of nature. It is very organic and embodies freshness, healing and growth. This color represents balance, safety and harmony. A green front door suggests that its homeowners are very caring towards the home and the community. This is often associated with traditional values and connotes positive characteristics which are very desirable for a home.
A green front door works well with a gray, brown or white exterior. If you want to display more contrast, a lime green door can surely make your house stand out in your community. Other shades such as moss green, forest green, olive and sage are perfect for subtle contradiction in traditional home facades.
The olive green front door delivers a natural feel to the subdued green and brown palette of decorative stones, wooden sidings and shingle roofs. Mixed with other shades of sage, moss, forest green and verdant grass, this house looks organic.
A more subtle take on the color green – this rustic house made use of tea green front door with antique black hardware.
Gray Door
The color gray is another timeless neutral which works well with a variety of design styles. Embodying strength, this color represents the beauty of subtlety. Although often connoted as a boring uptight color, gray actually never goes out of style and is a good alternative for traditional neutrals like white and beige.
A gray front door suggests composure and stability. The darker the color gets, the more dramatic it becomes. Gray front doors also give off a sense of mystery. This color is ideal for creating balance in bright exteriors and updating the look of traditional homes.
This gray entryway creates a muted contrast against an all white background. The addition of lush colorful blooms and a dainty flower wreath make this front porch chic and charming.
Brown Door
The color brown may sometimes bring mixed messages in color psychology, but generally, it symbolizes comfort and protection. It is the color of the earth and is often associated with anything natural. Symbolic of the soil, it signifies structure and stability.
A brown entrywaybrings coziness to a home. Whether, painted or stained, this classic hue contributes warmth to exteriors and makes guests feel more at home. It is also a very strong color and brings a refined statement in exteriors. Those who choose brown for their front door color are perceived to be very reliable.
Brown front doors which are made up wood are often a classic feature for traditional and contemporary houses. Rich stains bring out the natural beauty of wood grains and make stunning statements for a facade. Also, if you want a monochromatic exterior palette, a brown front doors is your best bet as it works well with earthy and sand colored exteriors.
A brown front door is very traditional but works well even in contemporary settings. This brown front door brings natural coziness to the beige facade of this home.
Colors for Brown House Entry Doors
Brown houses have a natural warm earthy tone. In choosing the right front door color for a brown house, your best best is to go with a monochromatic color schemes. Lighter and darker tones of brown blend well together and makes houses appear more cozy and homey.
Traditional or classic: Dark green with white trims, rich colors like maroon or burgundy, brown paint or wood stains like mahogany, walnut, etc.
Modern: Black, white and shades of brown
Best colors are: Monochromatic color palette consists of brown paints like tan, mocha, sand or wood stains like mahogany, walnut, etc.
A blue entryway renders calmness amidst a warm wood and stone house exterior. Paired with white trims, it updates the classic look of this traditional home.
A monochromatic color such as a light brown/beige matches well against the darker brown exterior paint of the home shown above. White trim provides visual interest and lightens up the look.
A black front door is a bold timeless statement for this traditional home. Black and brown make a perfect combination as they create a formal contrast despite their neutrality.
Suitable Colors for Exterior Doors of Beige Homes
Just like white, beige is also another versatile and flexible color. It is also neutral, which is why there is more room for options in choosing the right entryway color for beige house. Beige is commonly used for the classic inspired architectural styles, which means most houses with this color are usually traditional and colonial.
However, a modern twist can be added by choosing a bright cheerful entryway color. Here are some of our recommendations for front door colors for a beige house:
Traditional: Muted and deep colors such as sage green, moss green, dark blue and dark red
Modern: Bright red, carmine, vermilion, violet and turquoise
Contemporary: Brown paint or wood stains like mahogany, walnut, etc
Best colors are: Shades of red, blue and brown
This class white front door brings a clean, airy feel to this sand colored exterior. Another classic pairing, this look will surely never go out of style.
Best Gray House Colors For Entry Door Colors
Gray is a modern alternative for the traditional white color. Most homeowners go with it as it is not too boring or plain looking. Since it is also a neutral color, picking an entryway for a gray house is also relatively easy.
Take contrast to your advantage as cool gray and steel gray houses always work well with deep, rich colors rather than the lighter hues. Here are some of our recommendations for entryway colors for a gray house:
Traditional : Rich and deep colors such as burgundy, purple and navy blue, with white trims
Modern: Bright yellow or mustard paired with white trims . Red front doors with steel gray exteriors also make a stunning statement.
Other Options: Light blues, coral, purple, red orange, vermilion
Best front door colors are: Yellow, red and orange
This beige house exterior has a cerulean blue entryway and is accentuated with blooming pink flowers. The cool hue of the entryway brings a sense of calmness and serenity to the overall look of the space/
Best Colors for Doors of Yellow Houses
Yellow may not be as popular as the neutrals for home exteriors, but they give off a classic cottage charm and are usually used for cape cod houses. A lighter shade, such as a pale yellow exterior works well with dark colored front doors.
Traditional or classic: Black, white or beige door paired with white trims
Modern: Dark red or cobalt blue
Contemporary: Gray and brown paint or wood stains like mahogany, walnut, etc.
Best colors are: Red and blue as they create a lot of contrast
Blue front doors are a popular choice for yellow houses as this pair creates a charming and mellow contrast.
Red Brick Houses and Painted Entrance Doors
A brick house exterior is a free reign when it comes to matching with a main entrance color. It comes in a variety of shades, from rich reds, warm terracotta and subdued neutrals. Red bricks are not purely “red” in color as they have brown undertones. These fundamental colors can serve as a guide for determining the right entryway color for your home.
In picking a main entrance color for a red brick home, it is important to take the prevailing architectural style of the house into consideration. For example, to achieve a more traditional style, pair it with an entryway that has conventional and restrained neutrals like black, gray or white.
While if aiming for a more contemporary look, the color options for your entryway can be expanded into more lively palette. Aside from that, look at the materials or environment which surround your brick house – if the red brick house is situated in a forest like setting, go with a green or brown entryway.
To add variety of textures, high gloss finish is recommended for front doors especially if the bricks are rough and matte. Also, try to avoid colors that clash with the color of your bricks. For example, a rich pink entryway does not go well with red bricks as it is too shocking.
Best front door colors: Brown or Mahogany front doors are perfect for a traditional appeal. Bold green front doors gives a modern contrast. Teal front doors give an updated “wow factor” making it a focal point.
A reddish purple entryway gives a harmonious result. Gray or light blue front doors are ideal for a subtle contrast. Black front doors also look good on red brick houses especially if combined with brass hardware and white trims.
Avoid: Shades of red as they have the tendency to become too “matchy” with the bricks’ color.
A black entryway works well with red brick houses because of its traditional formality and bold aesthetics. This design also made use of navy blue shutters, white trims and white columns which softens up the composition of the space.
Choosing the Right Doorway Color for Brown Brick Homes
Brown brick houses are also considered a flexible canvas when it comes to choosing the right front door color. Since it is a neutral earthy tone, pairing is much easier as it goes well with a wide range of colors. This will just depend on the style you want to achieve an your personal taste and preference.
However, it is a strong contender for an effective monochromatic scheme. To achieve such, choose a specific hue from the varying undertones of the brown bricks and use that as your entryway color. Painted shades of brown such as tan, sand, mocha or stained finishes like mahogany, walnut, oak or maple all go well with this type of house exterior.
Best front door colors : Earthy colored front doors are perfect for a monochromatic traditional formality. Purple is also a good choice if you want to add a punch of color. You can also experiment with more vivid color choices such as mustard yellow, charcoal gray, orange,blue green, pear green, bright red and turquoise or teal for a modern vibe.
Deep jewel tone colors like denim blue and forest green blend well with the richness of brown bricks. This combination fuses warm hues and cool hues creating a well balanced look.
The Best Colored Door for White House Exteriors
When it comes to picking the right front door color for a white house exterior, the possibilities are endless since white can go well with almost anything. White is a versatile and flexible color so mixing and matching an exterior palette is an easy work.
From stark contrasts to an “all white look”, it offers room for experimentation as a white house is no different than a blank canvas waiting to be filled with art. Front door colors will depend on one’s taste and preference in style. Here are some of our recommendations for front door colors for a white house:
Traditional: Rich and deep colors such as black, brown, olive or burgundy
Modern: Bright and lively tones such as yellow, orange, cobalt blue or red
Contemporary: Brown paint or wood stains like mahogany, walnut, etc.
All white: Choose a darker tone for depth such a beige, cream or ivory
Best front door colors are: Red, black, green and dark blue
A cool gray entryway creates a restrained contrast without deviating from the neutrality of this white house’s minimalist exterior. In here we see that white houses match well with most front door colors, even with lighter tones.
A black entryway in a white facade is a classic timeless combo that will last for years.
Painted Doors and Feng Shui
Front doors play a very significant role in feng shui because it is believed to be the powerful gateway of positive energy. The entryway is known to be the “mouth of Chi”, or the place where a house receives and absorbs nourishing forces.
Think of it as a giant magnet for good energy such as blessings, wealth, prosperity, success in a business, love life, good marriage, health, wellbeing, fame, reputation and a flourishing career.
Before we go in depth with the recommended door colors for your home, we would like to give you a simple overview of Feng Shui to help you understand how it works. Feng Shui is mainly about designing a space in a specific orientation or direction in relation to flow of universal energy or “Chi or Qi”.
It helps in determining how positive energy can be welcomed, absorbed or repelled inside and outside of your home. Chi or positive energy is created and radiated by different elements.
Elements of feng shui are based on the five element theory which are wood, fire, earth, metal and water. According to feng shui principles,a productive element cycle is achieved by nourishing governing elements with other elements.
Feng shui believes that the whole energy of the home would greatly depend on the quality of the entryway or main entry of the house. With that in mind, there are several things that must be considered to turn your house into a an abode of strong and auspicious energy.
Firstly, the key element in designing main doors in accordance with feng shui principles is direction. In addition to that, feng shui is also all about achieving balance and harmony. But how do you combine these key principles?
To attract good Chi and harness the best energy in your home, the entryway must be in harmony with its element of direction. Aside from that, governing elements have to be nourished by other elements to keep the balance.The best feng shui design must nourish the main feng shui element that corresponds to the direction your entryway is facing.
How do you apply this? The easiest way to create a strong feng shui door is to find the appropriate design for it. For example, if you have an East facing door, focus on strengthening the element which governs this direction, which is the wood element.
One of the recommended ways to nourish elements and keep fronts door in harmony with its direction is to paint it with the right color. Colors and decor play a vital role in bringing luck, equilibrium and accord into the home, according to the principles of feng shui.
Each feng shui element has a specific prescribed color. Aside from these main colors from the governing elements for each direction, there are other several options which can be tried if ever they do not match your home. Other recommended colors are dictated by corresponding nourishing feng shui elements.
How do you choose the right entryway Feng Shui color? Here are some of the recommended colors for main doors in accordance to their elements of direction:
East Door – A entryway which faces the east direction is governed by the wood feng shui element. The east door also symbolizes family and the spring. Wood element colors resembles the colors of trees and nature, so it is recommended that east doors are painted in shades of brown or green to bring excellent positive energy. If these main colors do not work for your home, you can always explore more options based on two other nourishing elements.
The wood element receives sustenance from the water element and is supported by the earth element. Colors are blue and black for water feng shui element, light yellow and sandy tones (tans and shades of brown) for earth feng shui element.
Destructive feng shui elements for the wood element are fire and metal, so avoid their colors because they repel positive energy. In general, the best colors for an East Facing entryway are brown, green, blue, black, yellow and other earthy tones. Avoid colors such as red, purple, gray and white.
South East Door – The south east door is governed by the same feng shui element for an east door, which is the wood element. It is considered to be the prosperity door and is said to attract auspicious energy associated with money, wealth and abundance.
The best colors for a south east door are shades of green and brown. Similar to the east door, its nourishing feng shui elements are water element , which is considered to be the universal symbol for prosperity flow, and the earth element.
Additional color choices include blue and black (for the water element), yellow and sandy tones (earth element). Avoid colors which represent the fire and metal elements of feng shui as they are destructive to wood. In general, the best colors for a Southeast Facing entryway are brown, green, blue, black, yellow and other earthy tones. Avoid colors such as red, purple, gray and white.
South Door – The south door is the only direction which is governed by the feng shui element of fire. The corresponding bagua feng shui energy for this direction is fame and reputation.
The best colors for front doors which face this direction are red, strong yellow, deep orange, purple, dark pink or magenta. The fire feng shui element is nourished by the wood element, so other color options include green and brown.
Destructive feng shui elements for this direction are water element and earth element, so avoid colors which are associated with these elements. In general, the best colors for a South Facing entryway are red, strong yellow, deep orange, purple, dark pink or magenta, shades of green and brown.
Avoid colors such as blue black and other earthy or sandy colors.
Southwest Door – The southwest door is governed by the feng shui element of earth. The corresponding bagua feng shui energy for this direction is maternal energy. So if you want to attract positivity for your love life and a happy marriage, paint your southwest door in the right color according to these guidelines.
The best colors for front doors which face this direction are light yellow and earthy tones or sandy colors. The earth feng shui element is nourished by the fire element, so other color options include red, strong yellow, deep orange, purple, dark pink or magenta.
Destructive feng shui elements for this direction are water element, wood element and metal element, so avoid colors which are associated with these.
In general, the best colors for a Southwest Facing entryway are light yellow and earthy tones or sandy colors, red, strong yellow, deep orange, purple, dark pink or magenta. Avoid colors such as blue, black, green, brown, white and gray.
West Door – The west facing door is governed by the metal feng shui element. The corresponding bagua feng shui energy for this direction is children and creativity. The best colors for front doors which face this direction are white and gray. The metal feng shui element is nourished by the earth element, so other color options include light yellow, earthy tones or sandy colors.
Destructive feng shui elements for this direction are water element and fire element, so avoid colors such as black, blue, red, strong yellow, deep orange, purple, dark pink or magenta.
In general, the best colors for a West Facing entryway are white, gray, light yellow and earthy tones or sandy colors.
Northwest Door – Similar to the west door, a northwest facing door is also governed by the metal feng shui element. The corresponding bagua feng shui energy for this direction is helpful people and blessings. The best colors for front doors which face this direction are white and gray.
The metal feng shui element is nourished by the earth element, so other color options include light yellow, earthy tones or sandy colors.
Destructive feng shui elements for this direction are water element and fire element, so avoid colors which may weaken the attraction of positive energy. In general, the best colors for a Northwest Facing entryway are white, gray, light yellow and earthy tones or sandy colors – in order of auspiciousness.
Avoid colors such as black, blue, red, strong yellow, deep orange, purple, dark pink or magenta.
North Door – The south east door is governed by the feng shui element of water. It is considered to attract auspicious energy associated with career and path in life. The best colors for a north facing door are shades of black and blue. The nourishing element for the water feng shui element is metal, which means additional color options include white and gray.
Avoid colors which represent the earth and fire elements of feng shui as they are destructive to the governing water element. In general, the best colors for a North Facing entryway are black, blue, white and gray.
Avoid colors such as green, brown, red, strong yellow, deep orange, purple, dark pink or magenta.
Northeast Door – Governed by the earth element of feng shui, the northeast door is considered to be the door which attracts the bagua feng shui energy of spiritual growth and cultivation. To attract positivity in these areas, it is recommended that a northeast facing door is painted in light yellow and earthy colors or sandy tones.
The governing element in this direction is nourished by the feng shui element of fire, so other recommended colors include red,strong yellow, deep orange, purple, rich pink or magenta.
Destructive feng shui elements for a northeast door are wood, metal and water so abstain from colors which are associated with these. In general, the best colors for a Northeast Facing entryway are light yellow, earthy colors or sandy tones red,strong yellow, deep orange, purple, rich pink or magenta.
Veer away from colors like shades of green, browns, white, gray, blue and black.
A white entryway balances out the green exterior of this classic Colonial home. Paired with a white picket fence, white french windows and trim, it gives an impression of a well thought of architectural design. Entryway colors that are matched to exterior decor such as fencing can really up the curb appeal and create a cohesive design you’ll love.
Choosing the Right House Trim Colors
A house’s exterior color palette is comprised mainly of the colors for the entryway, the body of the house and the trims. Once the first 2 components’ colors are determined, it is now time to decide on the colors that you will be using to paint door jambs, window sills and other decorative trims in the house’s exterior.
Some homeowners consider this to be a challenging task, but contrary to this belief, choosing a trim color for your house does not really require a great deal of technical skill.
There are several ways to decide which trim color works for the overall look of your home. One is to formulate your final color scheme in relation to the color palette of your entryway and house sidings, while the other is to base it on the style of your home.
Either way, there is actually no general rule for choosing trim colors because design is all about personal taste and preference. But in case you need help, here are some guidelines you can follow in painting trims with different colors:
Paint trims according to the style of your house – Design styles usually have prescribed color palettes – rich, deep and extravagant for Victorian houses, fresh and light for Cottage houses, warm for Rustic houses, muted for Colonial homes, crisp for
Modern houses. Determining the style of your house can greatly help you decide what colors should work. To finish trims in a contemporary way, paint it two shades darker than your house’s exterior. If you want to achieve a more traditional look, contrast trim colors with cream or white. For rustic stone houses, trims are usually matched with the existing grout color.
Paint trims to blend with your front door color – You can never go wrong with white trims as it goes with any entryway color. However you can also try other options. White doors are perfect with dark brown trims. Red doors also go well with light gray or sage green trims. Brown front doors, whether stained or painted, blend well with cream toned trims.
Contrast is the key – For most designers, this is considered to be one of the principal principles of design. Typically, colors which are lighter than your door and house sidings are used to paint trims. While the darkest colors in a color scheme are usually used for shutters and windows to make them look like they are receding into the facade.
Avoid too many colors for the trims – Stick to one color for the vertical and horizontal elements in your house’s exterior. Too many colors can cause a visual chaos.
Do not choose a trim color that is unrelated to your color scheme – It is okay to be experimental but do not go overboard. Unless you are designing a Victorian home which requires all architectural components to be painted in a different shade, avoid choosing colors that are not at all related to your house’s exterior palette. For example, a gray house with a red door should not have pink trims.
A well coordinated exterior color palette is usually composed of 5 colors. One shade for the entryway, the second color for the trims, the third color for the exterior sidings or body of the house (the most dominant hue), the fourth color for the roof and the fifth color is for adding an accent which is usually used for shutters and other architectural components and details. However, most homeowners usually stick with 3 colors only.
A paint color visualizer program can help you determine the right color for your home. To use this software you upload a picture of your house and try out different colors on the walls and door.
White trims are a classic favorite for most houses as they work well with any entryway colors as well as exterior colors.
Visit our gallery of interior door styles to see more related home ideas and inspiration.
