I love front doors. I love colorful doors. I love what doors say about the home in which they welcome you. Maybe you’ve never given that much thought to your front door. I have. Call it the curse of the stager, but I think your exterior door is a great canvas.
Your front door is a chance to show off your personality, make a statement, and send a big hello to those who pass by. Front doors are a thing. There’s even a whole Pinterest board called fun front doors.
Front doors can be expensive. While some cost as few as a few hundred dollars… others are upwards of 10,000 dollars! Not in your price range? Then consider giving your exterior front door a facelift with a new coat of paint.
As with any design or do it yourself home project there are a few guidelines to keep in mind if you are going to try it.
- First, you have to remove the door… don’t even think about painting it while it’s hanging up! That will be a mess you will most certainly regret.
- Next, remove all the hardware. If there is hardware that won’t come off, like a peephole, make sure to cover it with painter’s tape.
- Prepare the surface. I’m sure you’ve heard this step before if you’ve ever done any painting. Wooden doors need sanding and priming so the new coat of paint goes on smooth. Now if you are painting a metal door that can be a little trickier. Here’s some help.
- The fun part is next. PAINT! Apply the paint and primer in a dust-free area (or you’ll be stuck with a bumpy surface where the tiny particles hit the paint) You can get an exterior-grade paint-and-primer-in-one to make it easier for you. Paint the door from the top down. A wide brush works best on the corners and a small roller is good if you have flat panels.
Once you paint the door and let it dry, you can hang it back up.. but don’t be surprised if the trim around the door looks especially drab with the great new color.
WARNING: Painting the exterior door may lead to painting the surrounding trim as well
You’ll have a million choices for colors. If you live in a neighborhood with a home owner’s association you may need to get the color approved first. Whatever color you choose, semigloss will give you the best finish. If you want more detailed steps, Lowe’s can help you out.
Your exterior front door should not be an afterthought! Have some fun with it. I bet the next time you drive through a neighborhood you’ll notice some great doors.
