Front Door Paint Colours
A front door colour has to work with the house around it: the brick, stone or render, the window frames, the roof and the planting. Heritage greens, inky blues and deep reds suit period homes, while soft greys and muted greens feel calm and understated. Every shade below comes in our uPVC & Composite Door Paint and as a 60ml sample.
The best front door colour starts with the house, not the door. Look at the brick, stone or render, the window frames and the roof, then choose a colour that either contrasts with them or quietly harmonises. Deep greens, inky blues, near-blacks and rich reds are the traditional choices and suit most period homes; muted greys and greens feel calmer and work well on modern houses. Our uPVC & Composite Door Paint is made for plastic and composite front doors.
At a glance
- Start here
- Look at the whole house. Hold samples against the brick, stone or render, the window frames and the roof. The door should either contrast with them or quietly harmonise.
- North light
- Deep colour holds its own. A north-facing door never gets direct sun, so pale colours can look flat. Rich greens, reds and inky blues keep their presence in shade.
- South light
- Strong sun, careful darks. Direct sun makes colours look lighter and brighter. Very dark colours also absorb more heat, so check your door maker’s guidance before painting a sunny uPVC door very dark.
- East light
- Bright mornings, shade later. The door is lit in the morning and in shade by the afternoon. Check your sample at both times, especially if you come home in the evening.
- West light
- Shade first, golden evenings. The door sits in shade for the morning, then catches warm evening sun. Warm colours glow, while cool colours soften.
- Period
- Let the house’s age guide you. Deep greens, blues, reds and black suit Georgian and Victorian houses. Muted greys and greens sit comfortably on newer homes.
- Ironmongery
- Choose metal with the colour. Letterplates, knockers and handles are part of the colour scheme. Choose a metal finish that complements the paint rather than defaulting to brass.
- Sample tip
- Test outdoors, not indoors. Exterior light is far stronger than indoor light. Hold the sample against the door at different times of day before you decide.
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Heritage greens
Classic greens that suit brick, stone and planting.
Best in north-, south-, east- and west-facing rooms
Green is the most versatile front door colour. It complements red brick, warms grey stone and links the house to the garden. These range from deep, inky greens for period homes to softer, greyed greens for a quieter welcome.
Best in north-facing porches with Nobbie™, south-facing porches with Lincolne™, Arboretum™, Caunton Green™ or Clumber™, and east- or west-facing porches with Theatre Green™, Forester™ or any of the south-facing shades.
Inky blues, charcoals and soft blacks
Timeless darks for period and modern homes.
Best in north-, south-, east- and west-facing rooms
A deep navy, charcoal or soft black looks smart on almost any house, from a Georgian terrace to a new build. These are softened with blue, green or warm undertones, so they read as colour rather than flat black.
Best in north-facing porches with Beret™ or Albion™, south-facing porches with Bobber™, and east- or west-facing porches with any of them. Colliery™, Ashfield™, Leadbelt™, Mercia™ and Outlaw™ are best kept to east- or west-facing doors.
Deep reds and warm welcomes
Rich reds for a confident, welcoming entrance.
Best in north-, east- and west-facing rooms
Deep reds and maroons are a traditional front door choice that never looks out of place on an older house. Choose a deep, earthy red against brick, or a brighter red on white or cream render.
Best in north-facing porches, where deep reds hold their richness in steady shade. Wellow™ also suits east- and west-facing doors. Sample reds directly against your brick, as they can either harmonise with it or clash.
Soft greys and quiet greens
Muted shades for a calm, understated door.
Best in north-, south-, east- and west-facing rooms
Not every door needs to make a statement. These muted greens, greiges and taupes sit quietly against brick, stone or render and suit modern houses particularly well.
Best in any direction with Erewash™, north-facing porches with Whimgin™, and south-, east- or west-facing porches with Minster™, Skerry™, Caunton Grey™ or Olympic™.
Sample it the way we would
Step 1
Paint your peel-and-sticks
Each £5.99 sample comes with three paintable peel-and-sticks. Give them two coats and let them dry fully.
Step 2
Stick them around the room
Put them on two or three walls, including the wall opposite the window, at eye level and lower down.
Step 3
Live with them for a day or two
Look in the morning, the afternoon and under your evening lamps. Move them around until you are sure.
Your questions, answered
What colour front door suits a red brick house?
Colours that contrast with the orange-red of the brick, such as deep greens, inky blues and near-blacks, are the easiest choices. A deep earthy red can also harmonise with it. Always hold your sample against the brick in daylight.
Can you paint a uPVC or composite front door?
Yes, with the right paint and preparation. Our uPVC & Composite Door Paint is made for these surfaces; clean and key the door thoroughly first, and check your door maker’s guidance before going very dark in strong sun.
How to paint uPVC and compositeShould the front door match the windows?
It doesn't have to. Many houses look best with white or neutral window frames and a coloured door. Repeating the door colour on a garage door can tie the front of the house together.
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