How to Choose the Right Color Paint for the Front Door

Decide if you want the door to stand out, or to be unobtrusive. This is the first indicator of what direction you will go in with the paint color choice.

Go with the trim color that already exists if you prefer a conservative choice. Perhaps there is a garage door that you can match, or shutters or window trim in an appealing neutral color. White is always an option, and goes with all other colors, though it is hard to clean. If you have a natural color to your home, like adobe or brick, a warm neutral color like taupe or ocher adds a little color while keeping things toned down.

Look for a complementary color for a stronger choice. For example, a bright yellow or butter cream color for siding would make violet or mauve -- the complement of yellow -- a dynamic but harmonious choice. If the house is neutral in color, you can choose just about any color to go with it. Bright ultramarine and turquoise are excellent matches for earth tones. If you have a trim color already that is vibrant, you could match that, or pick a more intense version of it. For instance, warm pink trim could be highlighted with a crimson front door.