The overall kerb appeal of a house is hinged on getting certain elements just right – the windows, cladding, driveway and, of course, the front door.
As the entrance to the rest of house, your front door ideas really matter and part of ensuring yours looks smart and stylish (and stays that way) is hinged on the paint you choose for it.
Your choice of front door paint shouldn't just be based on colours – although obviously this is an important consideration – but also needs to take into account durability and its suitability for withstanding the elements. We asked the experts for their advice on the best options.
Which type of paint is best for a front door?
There are lots of different types of paint, each offering various qualities that make them suitable for a range of applications. In the case of front doors, though, the variety you select needs to be suitable for exterior use as well as hardwearing enough to take the knocks and bangs this element of your home has to endure.
"When choosing an exterior paint, it’s important to find a product that can resist the elements and won’t easily fade or chalk, as well as one that is breathable and allows moisture to escape so it doesn’t blister in damp conditions," explains Benjamin Moore's Helen Shaw.
"Exterior woodwork will also flex with changes in temperature and humidity throughout the year, so choosing a specialist exterior paint for these areas is essential," continues Helen. "Products like Benjamin Moore Element Guard or Aura® Exterior can be mixed into a vast range of colours and resist the toughest of climatic conditions, like wind driven rain, so you can be as creative on the outside of your home as inside."
Helen Shaw is part of Benjamin Moore's UK division. A colour expert and international marketing director, Helen is no stranger to the paint industry and benefits of colour, having also previously founded a paint company with her husband, Craig.
Shop front door paints
Peel and crack resistant, this paint is designed to be applied to exterior surfaces, woodwork included, as soon as 60 minutes after rainfall and in temperatures as low as 1.7°C.
Available in a host of shades, this glossy exterior paint offers excellent coverage and can be used on multiple surfaces from wooden front doors to metal railings.
This paint, suitable for all kinds of exterior applications, is super flexible in all conditions, plus it comes in a brilliant range of colour options. It is also mould and algae resistant.
Is gloss or matte paint best for a front door?
These days there is a huge range of exterior woodwork paints available – in all kinds of finishes. If you are weighing up oil vs water-based paints, while oil-based gloss paints are undeniably durable, they can be tricky to apply and the high shine finish they give isn't for everyone. That said, dead flat emulsion paint often won't be durable enough for this use.
"We offer four sheen levels for exterior paints with satin, semi-gloss and gloss recommended for front doors as they offer a shinier, more reflective look with greater levels of durability and better stain resistance than lower sheen," says Helen Shaw. "They are also ideal for areas that crave definition where architectural details like bevelling and panelling are customary for a rich, lustrous look."
Stick to water-based eggshell, satin or semi-gloss paints, and double check they are suitable for exterior use.
How can you ensure your paint finish lasts?
Just as when painting a wall, Preparation is key to a good, long-lasting paint finish. At a basic level, what that means is sanding it, ensuring it is free of dust and debris and using a good primer beneath your chosen paint. However, there are other factors to take into account if you don't want to find yourself repainting the door a few months down the line.
"When it comes to decorating your door, we would not recommend painting in the winter months, as painting in cold conditions can present problems," advises Sara D’Souza, content strategist and creator at Frenchic Paint. "Cold temperatures can slow down the drying and curing process of paint which can lead to a variety of problems which can affect long term durability of the surface as well as white 'bloom' appearing, which is a clouding of the paint.
"We recommend waiting until the warmer months to repaint your front door and make sure the temperature is above 10°C during application and the initial curing period of 48 hours (don’t forget that even in spring temperatures can drop at night!)."
What paint colours are best for front doors?
Obviously you will want to choose a colour you love for your front door colour, but certain shades can work better than others when it comes to boosting kerb appeal. Your house style should play a big part in the colour you choose, but it doesn't hurt to brush up on the current trends either – you might just be inspired to try something a little different.
"When choosing your door colour, think about how it will respond to your brick, stone or render," advises Patrick O’Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball. "Sampling is really important before you invest in your top coat colour. We are loving ox blood reds such as Deep Reddish Brown in Full Gloss against red brick, and Inchyra Blue in Exterior Eggshell looks beautiful against most stonework.”
"There has been a significant increase in the popularity of bold and bright colours such as yellow and blue rather than the more traditional black or white," picks up Helen Shaw. "Consider drawing on the natural environment and choosing tones which mimic the setting, such as sky blue or forest green, as this not only adds familiarity and comfort to the home but complements nature rather than distract from it.”
And, finally, Patrick O'Donnell has a useful trick for really making your front door stand out.
“Quite often front doors will have a thin wooden frame around them and most people leave this white – don’t! Painting the frame in the same colour as your door will help give a greater sense of scale and proportion."
Patrick has been bringing his impeccable taste to Farrow & Ball since 2012. His decorating advice on Instagram has inspired millions and his expertise has transformed projects of every space and style – from family homes to country cottages. Since 2024, he’s also been the voice of Farrow & Ball's podcast, The Chromologist.
FAQs
Can you paint a front door in hot weather?
I speak from experience here when I say that it is not a good idea to paint any exterior woodwork in extreme heat. Last summer, I picked one of the hottest days of the year to repaint our front door – bad idea.
Avoid painting your door when the temperature is above 30°C if you want to stop paint peeling as it will cause the paint to dry too quickly, potentially leading to blistering and flaking.
What colours should you avoid painting a front door?
While some colours are universally popular for front doors, there are others that, according to the experts, you should steer clear of.
"Given it’s one of the highest traffic areas of the house, white is probably best avoided, as it will show up dirt and grime so easily," points out Sara D’Souza. "Although, if you do want a monochromatic look, greys are always popular for front doors. The deep mid-grey of Greyhound by Frenchic is particularly popular for front door transformations. Then you can bring a bright white on the door frame for an eye-catching contrast."
At the same time as addressing your front door be sure to look into window colours – ideally the two need to be chosen at the same time to ensure they sit well together.
