You could paint the door black or use a vibrant color like red, blue, yellow, or green! You could use a semi-gloss paint for whatever color you choose.

Grey is black with white. Try something new! Side lights would be painted the same color as door. Pick a color tone from brick or surrounding landscape.

thanks for the feedback. what's the best external outdoor paint and is semi-gloss the finish i want?

@Mia Repainting over black or another dark colour is a pain.

@ Coe. If you aren't sure what a black door will look like, why not try simulating it with poster board from the dollar store? Get a couple pieces to fit and attach it with removable double-sided tape. Live with it for a week or (?) until you have made your decision. Your cost is about 3 dollars and 15 minutes versus x dollars and 3 hours+ for painting.

How about some brightly coloured flowers in nice pots on either side of the door? Or 2 urns? Another option would be to get a small Emerald Cedar tree about 4' high in a black, heavy ceramic pot. One for either side of the door. They would help add height. At Christmas, they would look great with clear mini lights.

You could get a nice, large front mat (the same length as the trim to trim length, and as wide as the sidewalk area. That would help define your space as well.

Red for a door would suit, but again, trial it with poster board to give you some idea. I'd pick a darker, classic red with a blue undertone. Avoid an orange red.

Add a cool brass door knocker and matching mail-slot for a classic touch. For the sidelights? If you own the place and/or are staying for awhile (and you're allowed), consider taking the current ones out and replacing with frosted, clear, etched or sand-blasted glass with a simple design added in. You could have a simple swirl design, a galloping horse with its mane flowing, a nice vine pattern, a rose, use your imagination. The key is to keep it simple. It will look most effective (and be cheaper) if it's easy to reproduce and you have a matching mirror-image to match on the other side. The frosted glass would allow privacy without blocking light, and would be totally unique. It would set your place apart!

Sketch out a simple design, look at colouring pages online, or ask a friend /the glass person to draw a simple design. Get 3 estimates that include the same thickness and style of glass, plus installation if you don't know a competent handy person. It's not a hard job, but not a first-timer's project. There is a trick to installing windows and glass.

Looking forward to your finished photos. :-) Have fun!

P.S. For whatever reason, I could also see the front door being purple. Not kid's Barney purple, but a darker and richer shade. Same with navy blue. Or a nice shade of teal green, or periwinkle blue. I wish I could photoshop the colours onto your door!

I just took another look at the picture. Assuming the expanse of brick wall is also part of your place, 3 suggested cedars evenly spaced in black pots would help to break up the wall and add life. If you go that route, then don't add one on either side of the door-it would be over-kill. Instead, choose the urn route with colourful flowers and something taller for height and movement (Dracena, ornamental grass, etc.)

You could also make a living wall out of pallets and plant with succulents and attach to brick (if allowed!!). Again, it needs to be secured properly for wind and safety.

A lattice with a climbing rose or clematis or purple passion flower would also work. Check what will or will not grow or over-winter where you live.

Even a curved top piece of narrow lattice would be neat. Or a climbing rose around the front door. It depends on the feel and mood you are after. (And your budget.) Classic and sophisticated, fun and playful, modern and hip, earthy and grounded, etc.

It would only take a few simple touches to have your place say, "Wow."

Sherwin Williams Exterior paint holds up like a charm and is forgiving with application. Check web for coupons. I have used Behr, it was less $$ and has held up on Southern Exposure, a bit harder to work with.

@Coe--any paint store should have a sample board of paint finishes you can see and feel. Each finish has pros and cons in its ease and forgiveness factor in application, scrub-factor, "hide" factor, and finished look.

Don't go egg-shell or matte!

I can't tell if that's a transom window above the door or something else. If it's a window, I'd include that in the side-lights suggestion. If it's not a window, I'm not sure what to suggest.

And I'm not familiar with that type of screen or security door. If you end up painting the front door black, paint that black also. But I'm not sure how to paint it if you choose another colour for the door. Black may look good with a colour, but then again it may end up looking like prison bars. That's the only thing that would make me go hmm and take pause with that project. If it were my place and budget allowed, replacing that particular door to a non-bar style might help.

All the best with your adventure! :-)