Door stoppers
TIPS ON SPRUCING UP YOUR FRONT ENTRANCE
I CONSIDER CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLOUR FOR YOUR FRONT DOOR TO BE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT WHEN CONSIDERING THE DESIGN OF A HOME. TH E PERFECT DOOR COLOUR CAN CREATE A WARM, ‘ WELCOME HOME’ FEELING THAT SETS THE TONE. — KRISTEN CHUBER, COLOUR CONSULTANT
If you’re looking for a quick uplift to the exterior of your house, one you can accomplish yourself or hire someone to do in a day, adding a coat of paint to your front door provides big impact at a small cost.
Whether you’re painting your front door for your own pleasure or to appeal to buyers for a sale, choosing the right colour to match your goals and to complement the rest of the house is essential.
We consulted with Kristen Chuber, a certified colour consultant at Paintzen, a service that connects homeowners and painting contractors.
“I consider choosing the right colour for your front door to be particularly important when considering the design of a home,” Chuber wrote in an email. “The perfect door colour can create a warm, ‘ welcome home’ feeling that sets the tone for the overall experience the house provides.”
Some of Chuber’s tips for choosing front door colours include:
❚ When in need of a spirit- boost, use yellow: I love yellow for a front door when the homeowner’s goal is to boost the mood of anyone who sees the home, let alone enters it. Yellow adds a feeling of life to the house’s exterior. A yellow door works particularly well with facade colours like grey, light green, beige or white.
❚ When elegance is a priority, use purple: Purple may not be the first colour you think of when it comes to front doors, but a soft purple can add whimsy and polish to the exterior of a home. I think there’s something soothing and graceful about the colour when paired with white or cream.
❚ When wanting a cosy feeling, use orange: I love burnt orange hues for an entrance, especially when it’s paired with cream and beige. I think it feels familiar and warm — and of course, it’s incredibly welcoming.
❚ When wanting to make a subtle statement, use blue: I think rich blue is perfect for bungalows, craftsman- style homes and cottages. While these homes are historically associated with earth tones like brown and green, a cobalt blue works perfectly for the houses’ strong lines and deep porches.
❚ When going for a modern approach, use green: I once heard a saying that goes, “You can’t please everyone; you’re not an avocado.” I take this to mean that the colour avocado, which is particularly popular in modern design right now, will please everyone on a front door.
❚ When looking for an unexpected neutral, use grey: When you think deep, elegant grey, you probably think of offices, dining rooms or shutters, but I love a classic grey for the front door. It adds a tasteful, sophisticated appeal.
❚ When wanting to stick to the classics, use black: I love a black front door, especially when paired with a traditional brick home. It gives off a classic vibe and a refined tone. Your home will have instant curb appeal.
❚ When in need of a feminine flair, use blush: I think a blush pink front door makes an unexpected playful statement without overdoing it. The colour is perfect for sweet summer homes, farmhouses and cottages. A soft pink also pairs nicely with white, pale yellow or green.