Sometimes, you just need a quick little hit of Dopamine. A one-day DIY project for less than $100 that can completely change the way your house feels.  Painting your front door with a quick jolt of color is that project!

 

And also, it’s just paint! Bold colors can be easily updated. But because I don’t want you to second-guess anything, here are by favorite door colors for three of the most common exterior styles:

For a Cottage Style home, I love to lean a little softer, and reference the soft pastel colors you’d find in a garden setting.  These colors look great with soft whites. All by Sherwin-Williams. 

This might sound crazy, but my absolute go-to for Mid-Century door colors is the Colonial Williamsburg collection at Benjamin Moore. They’re so bright and fun, but also a little earthy, which makes them feel a bit more timeless than the other collections.  They all look great with other colors, or even just simple black or white.

I love a gorgeous jewel-tone on Colonial-Revivals.  Farrow & Ball does these colors so well, they all feel just right, ESPECIALLY when done in the glossiest finish you can manage. 

Pro-Tip: watch how dark you go if your door faces south and is fiberglass, or behind a storm door.  Any LRV under 30 can damage your door if it gets a ton of direct sun. So always check the back of the chip. (Farrow & Ball doesn't easily list LRV, so be cautious when using their colors on fiberglass doors with a lot of sun.)

 

For the finish, Glossy or at the very least, semi-gloss or soft-gloss is the sheen I’d go for here.  It’s easier to take care of, and really pops off of the typically matte and flat finishes of siding and other trim.  Prep the surface with a good sanding, fill dimples if necessary, and get it as smooth as possible before you start. 

 

And finally, here are the formulas that have been recommended for doors from each supplier:

All with a good primer recommended by your paint store for your existing door surface!