Should an exterior door and trim have the same color?

There are many ways to make your entrance area attractive. The most common color choice is a white trim with a black door, but is it necessary for the trim and the door to be the same color?

An exterior door and trim do not need to have the same color. It is common to paint the exterior door and trim with contrasting colors. Contrasting colors can make a home more distinctive and aesthetically appealing, highlight architectural features, and add depth and dimension to the trim.

In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of contrasting colors on an exterior door and trim. Keep reading for more information on the subject and for do’s and don’ts when painting your door.

Benefits of color contrasts on exterior doors and trim

There are several benefits to painting your exterior door and using contrasting colors, which I will discuss below.

Contrasting colors make your home more distinctive

A home with a black door and white trim is more likely to stand out in a neighborhood than a house with matching colors.

When every single house has the same trim and door in the same color, your home blends in with the other houses in the area.

However, if houses have contrasting colors, you can make yours more noticeable. If you want people to notice your home as they drive by, it is best to paint the trim and the door in different colors.

Here is a video describing some of the colors you can paint your exterior door to enhance curb appeal:

Your home will look aesthetically appealing

Contrasting colors can add more attractiveness to your home, especially if you have some interesting architectural features.

A dark door with light trim will accentuate any decorative details on your door or windows. You should choose a color that complements the color of the design on the door to make it stand out.

Different colors can help highlight architectural features

When you paint an exterior door in different colors than your trim, it will stand out better and bring architectural details into focus. A good example is painting a black front door and painting the surrounding area white (including window frames, cornices, and window sills).

This will make all these little details stand out as they contrast with the darker color on the door opening itself.

Contrasting colors give depth and dimension to the trim

Doors and trim in different colors create a great contrast and make the trim look more dramatic.

If you paint your door in a darker shade than the surrounding white trim, the door seems to recede into the façade of the house.

This can give it a unique look that matches its design features, such as bold lines or ornate carvings.

6 ways to make your door look attractive

Now that you know the benefits of painting an exterior door and using different colors on the trim, here are some ideas you can use to make your door look more attractive:

Paint your door and trim in contrasting colors

When painting your doors, there are infinite possibilities to decide what color they should be. One idea is to paint your exterior door in a contrasting color to your trim.

For example, if you have white window frames and a cream or off-white siding, your door will stand out better with a black paint. Learn more.

Make the door the main feature

One way to make your front door look appealing is to draw attention to it. If you want your door to become the centerpiece of your home, then paint it in a unique color.

It doesn’t have to be bright or loud; you can use a darker shade.

For example, if you paint your door in a dark color like navy blue, black, sage green, or chocolate brown, the other colorful furnishings in your home won’t appear as striking, and the focus will be on the door.

Install a fiberglass door

A fiberglass door can provide durability and sturdiness similar to steel doors without the added weight. Additionally, it doesn’t rust or rot quickly.

Fiberglass is also easy to clean and maintain, which is why it’s affordable for most households.

Combine your fiberglass door with crossbars

An excellent way to make your fiberglass door look attractive is to combine it with crossbars at the top and bottom of the door. The crossbar acts as a decorative accent and makes your home look more generous from the outside. If you don’t want to install crossbars, you can buy door inserts that look like crossbars.

Consider glass panels

Although glass panels are rare to find in fiberglass doors, they appeal to you so you don’t have to settle for transparent doors.

If your neighborhood allows it, you can choose stained glass or frosted glass. These panels will make your home more attractive and let natural light into your home.

Add stylish hardware

One of the easiest ways to make your door look attractive is to add hardware that matches the overall design of your home.

This includes metal accents on the door for an elegant, modern look, or antique bronze hardware to give it an old-world charm.

You can also add decorative studs to highlight your door.

Do’s and Don’ts when painting your exterior doors

Painting exterior doors can be a bit tricky. You don’t want to make the wrong mistakes that will make your home look messy and unattractive. Here are some do’s and don’ts when painting exterior doors:

Use high-quality materials

The first thing you should do is make sure you use high-quality exterior paint. It should be mold and mildew-resistant, fade-resistant, non-toxic, lead-free, and quick-drying.

You can also get special finishes that are waterproof or rust-resistant.

In this regard, I highly recommend using this Perma-White exterior paint by Rust-Oleum (available on Amazon.com). It’s easy to apply and comes with a mold-inhibiting agent. Plus, it’s easy to clean and can last up to 5 years.

Do not paint over rust and peeling paint

If you have rusty screws or peeling paint on your door, those should be repaired before painting.

You can buy galvanized steel screws and screws at hardware stores to easily remove rust.

If the paint is peeling, you will need to scrape it off until it’s a smooth surface, and then prime it before painting.

Make sure your door is clean

Before painting your exterior doors, make sure they are spotless. If you have a brick house and the bricks around your door are dirty, don’t paint it.

You should also look for cobwebs and dust in the corners of the door frame. Just like before, you can use detergent and water to clean your door.

Don’t forget the trim

Before you paint your door, clean and prime the surrounding trim – this is especially important if it’s made of wood.

You may need to scrape it occasionally to remove stubborn mold or dirt that won’t budge. Once the trim is clean, use high-quality exterior paint that is mold-resistant.

Conclusion

Aesthetic appeal is one of the main reasons for painting your home. It’s nice to have a home that looks attractive, welcoming, and interesting. One way to increase interest in your exterior is by designing the door and trim in contrasting colors.

You can also install a fiberglass door that gives you durability without compromising aesthetics. Combine it with crossbars to make your home look better from the outside. Also, consider glass panels for stained or frosted designs, add hardware with style, and make sure your door is clean before painting it.

Sources

• U.S. News: 10 House Painting Rules You Should Never Break
• Forbes: 13 Simple Yet Effective Ways to Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal
• Forbes: How to Paint a Front Door
• YouTube: 8 Front Door Colors to Instantly Boost Your Home’s Appeal