I would paint the garage door the wall color, no one needs to focus on that. The closet and entry could be different, but I think I would make them match the Java you mentioned.

Thanks!  I've considered that.  Do you think I should also do the same with the closet door to make it "go away" and have the main focus on the front door?  I'm so OVER oak.  I'm a little afraid to go really dark as the main purpose of the glass in the door was to bring in more light to the small, dark entry.

It's hard to tell from the photos but it looks like the dark java undertones are too cool for the walls and the floors. If you really are over the oak, the entry might be a good place to paint all of it - doors, trim, baseboards, etc. a white trim color that looks good with your floors. What is the wall color?

I'd also put a big colorful indoor outdoor rug in the space.

Unfortunately, the DH is a hard no on changing trim to white.  (Although I did get away with it in a guest bath so far.) 🙂  Wall color is Hirshfields Museum Piece.  Also added a picture of the Java.

Front doors · More Info

Front doors · More Info

A hard yes on white.

I would paint the two doors and leave the closet oak... until you are ready to make a real change. For just that foyer area I would paint the doors and walls the same color.

Leave the oak trim and oak closet doors as is.

I have a DH that was pro-stained wood no matter how it looked but he's come around. I would paint as much as you can one color - doors, door trim, baseboards, whatever. Having three doors in a small space with different colors/trims would be too much.

You could use a paint color viewer like the one in Sherwin Williams to show DH how the different options might look.

Thanks for all the advice.  Anyone's thoughts on possibly doing the front door in Java and painting garage and closet the wall color?  

One thing I forgot to mention is DH is a woodworker (he built the entire fireplace surround and cabinet) so painting over wood is normally a big no-no.

Painting generic oak wood trim from the 1980s onward is totally different than painting original wood trim in an antique Victorian/Tudor or painting antique furniture!

@BeverlyFLADeziner  Thank you for the mockups!  And I totally agree on the light swap.  Is bringing in white when we already have two wood colors a deal breaker?  We are not willing to redo all the oak trim on trim and windows/doors throughout to white.  (The Java appears in fireplace, bar, bathroom cabinet and center kitchen island.)

Then stain it all to Java. Design choices need to relate to each other, and sometimes, to the overall style of the house.

Just an idea but if money is no object I would replace the garage door with a paneled door like the others but paint the garage door to match the wall color, and I would also replace the locking mechnanism with something less visibile, and most especially I would replace the lock if you need to use a key to unlock it from the inside.

Is the little shelf and mirror near that garage door going to stay there? Might just be my device, but from the photo the door appears to open into the house -- and bangs into that shelf? I think the ornateness of the item calls attention to that corner, and the utility door.

I'd remove the shelf and put an umbrella holder by the door. And I would not leave keys hanging out in the open, where anyone coming in or out can swipe them and perhaps you not even noticing.

You don't think adding Java was really a wood selection that doesn't work with anything in your home?

You have hit that fork in the road where you have to make a decision about stain and paint. If you won't paint the wood then stain the wood with a product like this. You can go over the existing finish to darken it

@mytwocents. Thanks for the comments.  The garage door does have panels that match the closet (mistype in OP), and I can definitely change the hardware.  

I'm leaning towards painting it the wall color and will definitely consider replacing the mirror/shelf.  It doesn't interfere with the door; there's just enough clearance but could use something less visible.