Give Your Front Door a Statement Paint-Over
Let your front door make a real entrance with a bold and bright hue that helps your home stand out from the crowd
Temperatures are dropping and days are growing shorter, but that doesn’t mean your outdoor projects have to come to a halt – yet. From plantings to quick and easy home updates, the cooler months are the perfect time to tackle those final exterior projects before the last leaves fall and the doldrums of winter set in.
One of the most impactful and budget-friendly changes you can make to your home is to create an inviting entrance with a few coats of paint. Take inspiration from this colourful Ideabook and give your home a fresh new look by painting your door.
One of the most impactful and budget-friendly changes you can make to your home is to create an inviting entrance with a few coats of paint. Take inspiration from this colourful Ideabook and give your home a fresh new look by painting your door.
Whether you lean traditional, modern, eclectic or somewhere in between, there's a hue that'll help brighten up your home.
Our basic white door lacked personality and was one of the last things on our summer to-do list we needed to tackle. With several sunny days in the forecast and a few coats of paint, I gave our front porch some much needed kerb appeal.
Before you start painting, give your door a good cleaning – whether that’s a pressure wash or just a good old-fashioned scrub-down. Scrape or sand off any chipping paint and fill any dents or dings with putty, then sand the surface to a smooth finish.
Open the door and place a drop cloth underneath. Use a high-quality brush; my go-to is a 5cm angled high-quality paintbrush. Although I prefer the finish of a brush, you can also use a smooth-finish roller.
It’s also worth investing in a good-quality exterior paint. I used an exterior paint in a semi-gloss finish. The shade of red I chose gives a fun twist to our house’s grey exterior.
It’s also worth investing in a good-quality exterior paint. I used an exterior paint in a semi-gloss finish. The shade of red I chose gives a fun twist to our house’s grey exterior.
If your door has a window pane, apply painter’s tape around the edges of the mullions. Remove or tape off the door hardware for easy painting.
I always start with the door panels – painting the mouldings first and then the centre – and then work my way around the door.
BONUS TIP: Don’t oversaturate your brush. Multiple thin, even coats are the key to a flawless finish.
BONUS TIP: Don’t oversaturate your brush. Multiple thin, even coats are the key to a flawless finish.
Leave your door open while the paint dries. Get started early in the day so your door can fully dry before you have to lock up at night. Apply additional coats the following day(s) to give your door a durable finish.
Notice any running paint? Don’t touch mistakes until the paint has dried. Then sand drips smooth with a fine-grit sandpaper. Give the door another coat of paint after sanding. Let it dry and cure before accessorising your door.
Having trouble deciding on a colour? Gather inspiration from these guides to front door colours: purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, red.
YOUR TURN
Show us your colourful front door in the comments section below.
MORE
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YOUR TURN
Show us your colourful front door in the comments section below.
MORE
20 Ways to Inject Personality With Paint…Inside and Out
How to Stop Procrastinating on Paint Colours
The Best Paints and Colours Under the Australian Sun
25 Awe-Inspiring Projects Using Just 1 Can of Paint