DIY Builds
Photo by ready made Pexels Logo Photo: ready made

What color should you not paint your front door?

'My advice would always be to avoid painting a front door a color that will divide opinion. This includes most bright colors, such as pink, purple or yellow. If you are selling your home any time soon, it's vital to choose neutral colors that won't offend,' says Lucy Searle, Editor in Chief, Homes & Gardens.

How far can a lean-to span?
How far can a lean-to span?

Lean-to rafter spacing commonly is 16” and 24” on-center depending on the type of roofing finish selected.

Read More »
Is a 10x20 shed big?
Is a 10x20 shed big?

A 10×20 shed is large enough to store anything. Okay, maybe not anything, but you get the gist. 200 square feet gives you the flexibility to store...

Read More »
Are shed plans easy to follow?
Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

Learn More »

When curating your home's color scheme, you would be forgiven for forgetting about your front door. Naturally, you spend less time looking at this canvas than almost all other spaces in your home, but despite its transitional nature, your front door is one of the most important features of your property. Your front door is a mirror to your interior – giving guests and passers-by a glimpse of what they could expect from the rest of your home. So, it's imperative to get your front door color ideas right. And the easiest way to achieve this is through color. You might even be interested in what Feng Shui front door colors to use, too.

5 front door colors to avoid – according to designers

The power of color is undeniably transformative, but while you may want to know which paint ideas are best for your front door, it is just as essential to know which hues to avoid and what colors cause anxiety. Bear in mind that your front door design will affect which front door paint ideas suit, as well as the period of your home and the color of paintwork visible from the street and your front porch ideas.

1. Moss green

When choosing paint colors for the exterior of a house, it may feel inevitable to begin with green. Nature's most associable hue is one that may seem to thrive outside, but according to Nishtha Sadana, the creative director and founder of NISH (opens in new tab), not all tones are suitable. 'Even though this warm sage green color can be quite attractive and eclectic, the color on the door can appear quite dull and dingy.' Though, if you're focused on green front door ideas, there are other options that can provoke the first impression you desire. Nishtha particularly urges you to opt for cooler sage green and subtle gray-green colors that will add a hint of vibrancy to your porch or terrace.

2. Black

Nishtha also warns against black because it is a Feng Shui house feature to avoid, suggesting that the color omits unwanted energy, despite its timelessness. However, Zaeem Chaudhary, an architectural draftsman at AC Design Solution (opens in new tab), warns that its problems are practical too. 'A black front door absorbs the heat daily and will expand (and repeatedly contract) until the timber gives out,' he warns. This can cause some doors to split, crack, or warp to the point that they don't fit the frame correctly. 'Painting your door black may, unfortunately, terminate your door's warranty due to these unfavorable impacts,' Zaeem adds.

Do you have to notify Neighbours of building work?
Do you have to notify Neighbours of building work?

A Building Owner intending to carry out work covered by the Act must inform all Adjoining Owners by giving written notice. There is no official...

Read More »
Can I build a lean-to shed without planning permission?
Can I build a lean-to shed without planning permission?

Permitted Development rules For example, you can add an extension, porch or lean to without planning permission as long as: It is within the...

Read More »

3. Yellow

Yellow is an attention-grabbing color that can work well as an accent. However, Paige Anderson from Nitido Design (opens in new tab) warns that it is better left beyond your front door. 'It has a tendency to make people feel nervous or anxious when there's too much of it around them, and who would want that?' Similarly, Nishtha suggests that stark and warm colors (such as a traditional tone of orange) can have a degrading impact on your home's exteriors. 'Rather, choose the tones of burnt orange and rust to create an eclectic feel,' she says.

4. Brown

Brown may feel like another conventional choice when it comes to front door design, but Nishtha cautions against this popular hue. The designer explains that a brown front door may not appear welcoming to your guests – and could even impose a 'sense of insecurity.' 'If you truly prefer the feel of browns, it’s rather better to choose a tone of bronze, such as Sherwin Williams' Urbane Bronze (opens in new tab). Such shades offer the best of both worlds,' she says.

5. Violet

'Violet can be a difficult color to work with. Considering the options of exposed brickwork or natural stone cladding, the violet on the front door may not be the best option,' Nishtha explains. Moreover, the designer explains that it can sometimes stand out too much – making it difficult to sit simultaneously in your neighborhood or community.

What color should you not paint your front door?

'My advice would always be to avoid painting a front door a color that will divide opinion. This includes most bright colors, such as pink, purple or yellow. If you are selling your home any time soon, it's vital to choose neutral colors that won't offend,' says Lucy Searle, Editor in Chief, Homes & Gardens. 'When thinking about front door design, look beyond color and think about what else will make a front door more attractive, too.'

What roof pitch looks best?
What roof pitch looks best?

Roofs with a pitch of less than 2/12 are considered flat, even though they technically have some slope. The minimum allowable slope for drainage is...

Read More »
How many vents are needed in a shed?
How many vents are needed in a shed?

To install a wall vent, simply cut a hole in the siding to match the size of the vent. Next, attach the outside flange using a strong adhesive or...

Read More »
Can I build my own shed?
Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »
Can I use plywood as a ramp?
Can I use plywood as a ramp?

Q. Can I use plywood for a wheelchair ramp? For an indoor ramp, plywood might work, but when building a wheelchair ramp outdoors, use pressure-...

Read More »
Can I build my own shed?
Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »
How much does a big shed cost?
How much does a big shed cost?

Sheds cost anywhere from $100 to $30,000, including parts and labor. The average homeowner spends $2,500 on a shed. Sheds typically cost $15 to...

Read More »