Published on November 24, 2020 | Last Updated on December 16, 2021

Thank you HGTV HOME® by Sherwin-Williams for partnering with me on this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

When we moved into our house last summer the whole thing was painted brown. It didn’t match our style so we painted it a very light grey with light trim, you can see both phases below! The only thing we didn’t paint was the front door. I wanted to be 100% sure of the color before we moved forward with the project so we ended up leaving it stained. It looked nice but you guys know how much I love color! Painting the front door adds so much personality and curb appeal to a home.

The weather in Texas is cooling off, making it the perfect time for exterior paint projects! If you’ve visited the paint department at Lowe’s before, I’m sure you’ve seen the nicely curated wall of brochures next to all the paint color options. These are the HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams designer-curated Color Collections! Each collection takes the guesswork out of choosing paint colors and helps determine what colors complement each other nicely. 

I knew I wanted some shade of blue for the front door but I can be easily overwhelmed by color options. I chose a couple of my favorite options within the American Heritage Color Collection because the color palette of the entire collection is similar to the tones on the exterior of our house between the siding, trim, light fixtures, and porch furniture.

I’m sharing a few of my tips and tricks below to make painting your front door a less overwhelming project!

Always test out colors before committing

Instead of painting the sample directly on the door, I like to paint on a thick piece of white paper. This allows you to move the sample around so you can see how the colors look differently from lighting. Plus when you move forward with painting, this will ensure you’re beginning with an even surface.

Start with a clean surface

We had our door stained last year so it was a good shape. If you have scratches or peeling paint you’ll want to sand it down so you start with a fresh, smooth surface. Then wipe down the surface with a damp cloth to remove any dust or dirt.

Cover the windows and hardware

If you have press and seal plastic wrap in your kitchen, it comes in handy to easily cover windows! You’ll still use painters’ tape around the edges to get a clean line but the plastic wrap helps cover a larger area at once.

Use a paint and primer combination 

I chose Resolute Blue (HGSW2365) from the American Heritage Color Collection. For this project I used HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams new Everlast™ Exterior Paint in a Satin Finish. The Everlast Paint holds up in extreme weather including crazy humidity like Houston! The paint went on smooth and the primer combo created full coverage strokes with one coat.

How To Accessorize Your Entry Door 

1. Hinge straps – A great way to add some personality to your front door is to use hinge straps. These are decorative pieces that slip over the hinges of your door and can be found in a variety of materials, including leather, metal, and wood.
2. Knob and handle sets – Another easy way to add personality to your front door is by changing out the knob and handle set. This is a quick and easy way to give your door a new look, and there are many different styles to choose from.
3. Window treatments – Adding window treatments to your front door is a great way to add some color and style. There are many different types of window treatments to choose from, so you can find one that fits your style.
4. Wrought iron – If you’re looking for a way to add some extra curb appeal to your home, wrought iron is a great option. Wrought iron is a decorative metal that can be used to embellish your front door or porch railings.
5. Speakeasy – This is a must for any Victorian-style home, but you can use it on any style of the house. A speakeasy adds an element of mystery to your front door that people will love.
6. Garland – Adding garland, wreaths, or another festive decor around your front door is a great way to welcome guests into your home during the holidays.
7. Porchlight – A porch light is a great way to add some extra curb appeal to your home. There are many different styles and colors of porch lights to choose from, so you can find one that matches your style.

What do you think about the finished front door? Once it was painted I decided to swap out the light fixture as well as painting the porch ceiling the same color as the door. I love how much the pop of blue brightens up our front porch!