Making your front door sing ‘Welcome!’

From the Resene decorating blog

An easy weekend DIY project, changing up your front door colour can breathe new life into your home and create a welcoming entry for guests and occupants to come home to.

It’s the first thing your guests see when they arrive at your house, the thing you see every day on your way inside. Your front door should be welcoming and there’s no better way than to give it a fresh coat of paint. First, pick your colour. You could go classic, make it zingy, stand out from the crowd or blend in with the neighbourhood.

A classic blue and white home entry

This front door painted in Resene Blue Night is a classic choice combined with weatherboards with a hint of blue with Resene Half Periglacial Blue. Trims painted in Resene Alabaster, bench seat in Resene Coast, storage box in Resene Poured Milk, pots in Resene Slipstream and Resene Grey Seal. Project by Emily Somerville-Ryan, image by Bryce Carleton.

A Tuscan style entry

This deep brown door in Resene Felix has been painted the same colour on both sides and is the perfect complement to a Tuscan style entry. Wall in Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta ‘tile’ floor painted in Resene Tuscany with grout in Resene Raven, cabinet in Resene Blank Canvas with doors in Resene Gold Coast with ‘cane’ in Resene Double Dutch White and hook racks and shelf in Resene Double Dutch White. Project by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.

Keeping it classic

Use neutrals to keep your door classic and timeless. Black, deep blues, greys and dark reds are popular choices that retain their sophistication and will gel with any changes you make inside. Another way to keep your door neutral is to use a wood stain from the Resene Woodsman stain colour range.

Experiment with colour

Your front door makes a statement, but it’s not a big commitment when it comes to trying out a new colour. It’s not as daunting as changing your wall colour inside for example. So, it’s the perfect choice to try out a bright colour.

What does your colour choice say about you?

Black – You are elegant but like to retain a hint of mystery. Black is a classic choice. Go all in with a jet black like Resene Overland or dial things back a little with Resene Black Rock or Resene Ironsand.

Red – You are bold and inviting. You like to entertain. A pillarbox red like Resene Pursuit is a daring choice and will look particularly good with a front garden that has blue hydrangeas or paired with a bright white trim. A farmhouse red like Resene Tall Poppy will look good with a red brick exterior or try an orangey red like Resene Grenadier to add a fun twist to this classic choice.

Pink – You like romantic gestures and have a thoughtful, generous nature. Try a cherry tree pink like Resene Blossom, go full feminine with Resene Princess or try a plum shade such as Resene Cannon Pink with its purple edge.

Yellow – You are a ray of sunshine, a bubbly personality. A truly welcoming colour, yellow can work as well in a traditional, cottage environment as a modern new build. Go full throttle with a bright, clear yellow like Resene Bright Spark, or try something subtle try Resene Sidecar.

Orange – You have a warm personality and fear doesn’t hold you back. Go a little retro with Resene Clockwork Orange, try a red-based orange like Resene Tangerine or the bold, sunny Resene West Side.

Deep blue – You’re grounded and peaceful but know how to have fun. A dark blue such as Resene Blue Night is a classic choice that will look stunning against white weatherboards.

Light blue – You’re a positive person. Hopeful and honest. A softer blue like Resene Time Out or a tint of blue such as Resene Solitude are relaxing choices.

Green – You’re upfront about your principles. A nature lover. Trustworthy. From dark forest greens like Resene Midnight Moss or try a bright pistachio green such as Resene Wild Willow.

A nature-inspired pale green front door

Add a touch of nature-inspired tranquillity to your front door with a pale green such as Resene Caper.

Weatherboards and frame/architrave in Resene Merino, door in Resene Caper, deck in Resene Woodsman Natural, small black pot Resene All Black, small yellow pot Resene Pirate Gold and bench in Resene Moroccan Spice. Light from Lighting Plus. Project by Sarah Kolver and Emma Rawson, image by Bryce Carleton.

A bold orange front door

This door in Resene Hyperactive gives a very welcoming feel and pops against the white weatherboards and frame in Resene Merino.

Deck in Resene Woodsman Natural, large plant pot in Resene Kaitoke Green, bench in Resene All Black, striped zebra doormat painted in Resene Hyperactive and Resene All Black and small pots in Resene All Black, Resene Didgeridoo, Resene Kaitoke Green and Resene Half Merino. Project by Sarah Kolver and Emma Rawson, image by Bryce Carleton.

How to

For best results, take your door off its hinges, but you can also do the job with the door in place. Lay down a drop cloth. Start by washing the door and once it’s dry sand back any rough bits with a mid-grade sandpaper and fill any holes. Dust off all the sanding. Next, put masking tape over any putty and on the inner edge of any glass panels. You’re ready to prime. Use Resene Quick-Dry as your undercoat primer. Allow this to dry (around two hours) then add two coats of your chosen colour in Resene Lustacryl, a semi-gloss waterborne enamel paint that performs well in exterior situations and, being semi-gloss, will hide imperfections. If you want a high gloss finish and your door is in good condition, you can use Resene Enamacryl gloss waterborne enamel. A gloss finish will help your front door colour pop.

Think about the surroundings

Just like choosing a wall colour, use swatches and Resene testpots to see what your colour looks like in place and what differences light and sun/shade make. Consider the existing surrounding walls if you are not going to paint them. A contrast works well. Consider what colour flowering plants you have in the garden that might complement or contrast against the door and how far away your door is from the road. Would you like your front door to be subtle and not draw attention or do you want the sunniest front door on the block that might be part of future directions: “Look for the house with the yellow front door.” Also, think about the style of your house. Is it modern, a cottage, brick and tile or a wooden chalet and choose a colour to complement.

Top tips

If you have a small home, consider painting your door the same colour as the surround and walls as a seamless look will visually expand your home.
Don’t forget the door trim. Resene White is a classic choice but you could make your door colour pop even more with a contrasting trim.
Try a range of hues in your favourite colour. Paint swatches to see which looks best in differing lights. Your first instinct might be to go bold but once you see all the options you might prefer a dialled-down version. Or vice versa.
You can paint each of your door a different colour – think about whether you want the same personality on the inside as the outside.