Front door statements...

photo: Dave Foster

What colour is your front door and what does it say about you? Do you love the colour, or have you never really given it much thought? Perhaps you haven't painted it yet, leaving it the factory finish it came with, or purchased the home and have never personalized the shade to suit your taste.

Well, we've all heard the theory that exterior accent colours are like mascara and lipstick for our homes. Well, it is true, even though a bit cliche. Colour is, however, one of the easiest ways to add curb appeal to our homes and, luckily, the least expensive way. Some homeowners go the safe route and paint their front door a colour that blends in with their siding colour. They prefer the less is more route, and are quite confident that visitors will be astute enough to find their way to the right door.

photo: landstil.com

Others opt to swath their door with a more vibrant shade of colour. They want their door to stand out, POP if you will, and love the welcoming jolt of colour and unexpected surprise such a choice provides. My own father insists that every white house should have a black roof and a red door...no wishy-washy statements for him. Now, no one would ever dub hime the decorating sort, but to him a red door symbolizes welcome, much like the esteemed pineapple...or welcome mat.

photo: www.countryliving.com

For me, I have no hard and fast rules. I do know, however, that the right paint colour on exterior doors and trims does a house proud. It entails striking the right balance of colour and restraint...a decision that is not always immediate. Another rule of thumb I go by is to be very careful selecting the garage door colour. If you have a red door, perhaps a red garage door is not the colour direction that will best suit your home. Enlist the opinion of friends with good taste, try out the handy computer programs that enable you to "visualize" the colour choices before you paint, and/or seek out the opinion of a professional...be it a painter or decorator/designer. Personally, I think that if you are simply painting a front door, you can glean plenty of savvy assistance simply by driving around other neighbourhoods and taking note of what you like (and maybe even snapping some photos?), and combing through decor magazines for design inspiration.

Keep in mind, it is only paint; it doesn't have to be permanent. That said, if you are 100% certain you are happy with your colour selection, taking your doors to an auto detailer to professionally spray them will be some of the best money you will ever spend. Not only will you get a durable surface in any sheen you desire, but you won't have to do it yourself!!