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sixkeys

New front door, what color to stain it?

11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Apparently I need to decide ASAP on my door color. Here is the door with a sample of the wood floor propped up against it (and a neighborhood cat looking on). The door hardware will be oil rubbed bronze. My painter is suggesting to just to a clear coat to essentially keep it that color. How would that look with my darker hardwood floors? Or should I match the door to the floors? I'm so confused!

I'm also attaching a picture of the foyer (in progress) because I don't know if I should paint the inside of the door trim color (white), or match what I do on the outside.

FYI - the porch needs to be painted too, so ignore that reddish color.

Thank you!!!

Comments (13)

  • PRO
    11 years ago
    How about a color? Red would look great! If you want to stain it go with your floor color. Leave the inside trim white like it shows in the picture. If you have this lite wood in your furniture sealing might also work. But really I think your house needs something to make the door stand out. Take a picture that shows the door and the porch, print it and get out your markers!
    sixkeys thanked Patricia Gagnier Gagnier Construction Co Inc.
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    I would paint it a soft yellow and the inside white;)
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  • PRO
    11 years ago
    A strong yellow, a bright lime green or fire engine red (my house is gray with a fire engine red door).
    sixkeys thanked Elizabeth McGreevy
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    once your remove those shrubs.....the front door will be totally visible. what about all white for now. and then if you want to paint the outside a color later...your primed!
    sixkeys thanked User
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    I agree a yellow would look great.

    Good luck:)
    sixkeys thanked Sound Painting Solutions, LLC
  • 11 years ago
    Agree with Margo and Sound Painting Solutions. A soft creamy yellow for the exterior - always a cheery, welcoming color. And white for the interior too. Avoid too dark a color on the exterior if you're a wreath person - limits your choices. I do like just the clear coat idea too.
    sixkeys thanked almostjane
  • 11 years ago
    Thank you all! I do love the idea of yellow, but I was having trouble at the paint store finding a good one. I also am not sure if yellow would flow with the inside of the house - does that matter? I like the idea of a historical feeling so that's why I was leaning towards wood stain. Thanks so much for the input!
  • 11 years ago
    No need to match your floor -- think of it as another in a mix of tones, or you can paint the interior to match the trim there, to minimize it. I like how it looks with the unfinished space.

    The light door is very striking against your dark paint, a bit unusal, maybe a bit modern. Mostly up to you whether you like that or would prefer a coordinating or contasting color. Could go anywhere from black to a light green, easily, and many shade of wood stain would be lovely. On the plus side, it's easy to paint later, so you could always live with it a while and then decide later!
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    I like the stain you have chosen!
  • 11 years ago
    Thank you! I am excited to share the progress with the staircase. My finish carpenters are amazing! Next comes staining and painting.
  • 11 years ago
    Our exterior house color is similar to the one you have, and we had our door recently painted yellow! I love it! Adds just the right amount of color against the dark exterior, and white trim. So, I suggest a bright cheerful yellow, but red would look great too (although my opinion is that red seems very common).
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    HI -- I think it would look nice in the natural wood with a clear coat on it in a satin sheen inside and out . The door should have nothing to do with your wood floors . The trend now is going back to natural woods . Later on , if and when you want a change ,then you can paint the door . The front door should be it's own statement .