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.
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.
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. Project by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.
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 Black 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 newbuild. 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.
This door in Resene Hyperactive gives a very welcoming feel and pops against the white weatherboards and frame in Resene 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.
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. Project by Emily Somerville-Ryan, image by Bryce Carleton.
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.
For help getting started with your decorating project, ask a Resene expert at your local Resene ColorShop or on the Resene website with the free Resene Ask a Colour Expert service, www.resene.co.nz/colourexpert. View hundreds of decorating ideas from other homeowners online, www.habitatbyresene.co.nz.
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