Which Green should I pick for my Front Door?

12 years ago

This is my fixer-upper house. I'd like to add a splash of color to the (currently) black door. I'm thinking a vibrant shade of green, but I'm not sure which to pick.

When I moved in, the door was hunter green. In fact, everything in the house was hunter green. I think it's a sort-of traditional color chosen for Cedar sided houses, but I loath it. (Hunter green counter tops, hunter green linoleum flooring, hunter green painted pavers in the yard.) It was out of control, and has all been replaced. I'm not a huge fan of the cedar, but I just don't have the budget to paint the entire house or replace it at this time.

I've replaced my roof with nearly-black shingles since the first picture was taken. The second was taken at Christmas with the new roof, so please excuse my very sad Christmas decor. I do plan to pressure wash the exterior and also replace the front steps this spring. The windows and the trim around them and the door are all painted black.

So, which Green should it be? Grass-green, Lime-Green, Sage-Green....or any other suggestions? Thanks everyone!!

Grass Green

Lime Green

Sage Green

Featured Answer

pcmom1

12 years ago

last modified: 12 years ago

I like this shade of blue:

Rockaway Beach Remodel · More Info

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Comments (41)

Sarah
Original Author
12 years ago
I was also thinking of adding shutters to the front windows. Possibly in the same green. Not sure if that's be just a bit too much though. Also, in the summer, that front bed will be filled with yellow flowers.
Denita
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
You have a lovely home and a nice 'to do' list for the spring. I agree with you, it is a good idea to change the color of the door from black to a brighter color. I'm not sure that any of those greens work. Have you considered doing the pressure cleaning first and then painting the door once you see what it looks like then?

What do you think of a red door? (hover to expand photo)
Rustic Exterior · More Info

Poplar Cottage · More Info

I am not sure that shutters should be added to your home. If you decide to go in that direction, then do only the two windows on the left as the shutters on the right won't fit property because of the palladian window.
Here is an excellent, short article on how shutters should be sized and functional or appear functional. Take a few minutes to read this, you will see how many homes have ill fitting shutters and it does make a difference in curb appeal.

http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/residential-architecture-101-shutters/
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Sarah
Original Author
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Denita, thanks for the input! I pressure washed it a couple years ago (seriously, wood siding is the worst when it comes to maintenance). The color under the porch (on the left side of the door near the top) is mostly what the rest will look like after a bit of cleaning. I do like the red...but just like hunter green, it seems to be the other color that's always paired with cedar houses. I think I'd have to really sample some reds since there is so much red in the cedar already, which I guess isn't easy to see from my bed cell pics. :-) Fire Engine red might really pop, though! Maybe something close in color to those poinsettias? Thanks!!
Denita
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Yes, those poinsettias is why I thought red would work :) Then went I went looking for cedar homes and you are right, all I saw was either natural doors or red doors. I can understand wanting to go to another color. And green might be right for you. I just don't see one of those 3 greens. Remember I'm seeing it on a monitor and the colors look different here than they do in real life for you. That's why we say look at it in your lighting. You might have to do several samples on poster type board laid up next to the door to actually see what shows the best. Sometimes it takes a couple of days to actually come up with the right color.

Love your home by the way. It looks so charming and welcoming. It actually looks like a "vacation" to me :)
Sarah thanked Denita
Sarah
Original Author
12 years ago
pcmom1, I LOVE LOVE LOVE that! I can't believe I haven't seen this pic yet. I search cedar homes all the time to get exterior ideas. I'm a blue/green/gray person - all the rooms inside are one of those colors :-) I think you've found a winner!!! Thank you!!
Mike Link
12 years ago
here's some of them:
Sarah thanked Mike Link
Mike Link
12 years ago
red:
Sarah thanked Mike Link
rocketjcat
12 years ago
I agree with Denita that its probably best to pressure wash first. Here's a video on pressure washing cedar shingles... Look at the drastic change in color. Yikes! If yours turn out as orangey as this video, maybe something in a teal or brighter blue would work better? Just a thought. Hopefully pros who have power washed cedar can chime in with their experiences if this drastic change typical.
Sarah thanked rocketjcat
Mike Link
12 years ago
Here's a dark emerald:
Sarah thanked Mike Link
Sarah
Original Author
12 years ago
Mike, thank you so much! I guess those bright greens do look a little funny! If the darn cedar wouldn't get so dirty, the grass green is kinda fun.
Sarah
Original Author
12 years ago
rocketjcat, I did pressure wash a couple years ago (you have to use a lower pressure to avoid scarring the wood). The porch actually looks quite nice where rainwater doesn't hit it, but my bad cell phone pics aren't showing it). The red really comes out when it's clean. I love turquoise, but I'm afraid it be a bit too bright. Maybe a dusty blue like in pcmom1's pic?

Mike, I do love the emerald green, too!!

It may be a long weekend at the paint counter! Just ordered a paint sprayer this morning, and this project is first on my list.
Mike Link
12 years ago
turquoise might look cool if this is what it would look like powerwashed:
Mike Link
12 years ago
or a dark unsaturated blue:
Sarah
Original Author
12 years ago
Mike, you are awesome! That's pretty much what it looked like 2 years ago. I love the turquoise, too. (Those steps are pretty awful aren't they :-P )
Mike Link
12 years ago
I actually love the look of your house, even the worn wood. Just looks so relaxing :)

I'm wondering if you southerned it up with some white porch paint though?? Not sure I like it haha...
PRO
DC Interiors & Renovations
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Here is a few other option for you. They are both Benjamin Moore
Sarah thanked DC Interiors & Renovations
hanna1984
12 years ago
Neither of these colors exactly say "pop", but they do look nice. Sage and slate blue: https://www.houzz.com/photos/2001-showcase-rustic-exterior-new-york-phvw-vp~66625
Sarah thanked hanna1984
Sarah
Original Author
12 years ago
Mike, thank you. I sort of love it. It's been a labor of love over the past 3 years. I've pretty much redone the entire inside, on a very tight DIY budget. We just rebuilt the deck on the back a couple months ago (it looked like those front steps before) which will get a good coat of sealing stain in a month or so.

I do love the look of cedar and white trim. I think it gives it a more beachy vibe. I'd just have to get over my fear of heights to paint under the eaves. Thank you so much for PS pics! It really does help, and now I think I'll be picking way more than green paint samples this weekend.
Sarah
Original Author
12 years ago
DC Interiors, I'd definitely picking up a red paint sample - that one looks like it would give a welcoming pop of color! Thank you!!
Sarah
Original Author
12 years ago
hanna1984, love the grayish blue! The inside of that door is currently white, but it's going gray when the outside is painted.
Mike Link
12 years ago
haha well that's good these helped you :) I like Denita's suggestion of poster board painted and laid next to the door to see the color for real. PS can give you a basic idea, but it never looks the same in real life.

And I know what it's like to have a work in progress! I've been remodeling a small cape cod house. It'll be a year in April, and we've been busy busy busy since we bought it. It smelled like pee and was a trip into the 70's with harvest gold appliances and all. and multiple layers of carpet. and everything else weird. we basically ripped it out down to the studs and started over. Here's what we started with:

http://edgeview.wordpress.com/what-we-started-with/

We finished the downstairs and we are living in the house now, and just started the remodel on the second floor.

Here's some of the "now" photos:

http://edgeview.wordpress.com/

Still lots of decorating to do, but gotta have the cash! Those major remodels sure suck the money out of the bank account :)
Denita
12 years ago
Nice work Mike Link!
Sarah
Original Author
12 years ago
Mike, your house is lovely! And what a transformation!! You guys are really doing some great updates! I'm totally following your blog now to see the progress :-)
Sarah
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you everyone for your great ideas!! It's 5pm on the east coast, and I'm headed home to daydream about paint colors!!
Mike Link
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Hey thanks Denita and super thanks Sarah for following!! We do love our house, and it's been so much fun turning that smelly-kid into something a little more refined :) I'll be posting a little bit more frequently now that we've started the upstairs.
Mike Link
12 years ago
oooo, just saw this in one of my ideabooks:

Katie Rosenfeld Interiors · More Info
hanna1984
12 years ago
Sarah, I love that slate gray, too. I didn't think either blue or gray would look good with cedar, but when I saw that photo it made me a believer, lol.
Christine W
12 years ago
I wonder if there is a way to power was again and then seal the shakes so the red stays "red". Also I think the lime green would be best because if you live in a changeable climate when winter hits and the grass dies out that pale green would add to the washed out feel of the front lawn. I love your idea of adding shutters too. She is quite a looker. Good luck with her.
pcmom1
12 years ago
Bring home sample blue/gray colors to find just the right one. I think planting some blue junipers and rosemary (has small blue flowers) would look nice with the door's blue/gray.
des1gnchick
12 years ago
You have a lot of greenery around the house so I would go with a nice bright red or grey blue - these colors will stand out more
Sarah thanked des1gnchick
giniaginia
12 years ago
White trim would do wonders for your home. Very classic and charming. A lime or turquoise door would be refreshing.
giniaginia
12 years ago
I would move the tall tree in front of the arched window out 30 feet. It will open up that area and add dimension to the space.
bubbasgma
12 years ago
Denita....GREAT advice! As always. And pcmom...Love that blue! Great find.
Sarah
Original Author
12 years ago
giniaginia, that cottage is just charming! I do love the white trim. I notice that one even has the black framed windows like mine. I actually planted the tree there on purpose. The large window is not energy efficient, and the tree provides shade in the summer and allows sunlight to stream in during the winter. It also provides a bit of privacy. I'm definitely going to test out some vibrant greens and turquoise. I think it will really give a welcoming pop of color!! Thank you!!
pcmom1
12 years ago
You could have a pro install some clear window film. That helps with energy efficiency.
Janie Burton
12 years ago
I like the idea of the Sage green. I definitely would not do a dark forrest green. Personally, I would choose a blue with green undertones. The deep brown of your home would look beautiful with a pop of blue!
Momof5x
12 years ago
I would go with a blue door, some other examples below from Houzz pages:

Denver Manor Home · More Info

Barrington Residence · More Info

Traditional Entry · More Info

Richmond, 1930's refurbishment · More Info

Green doors:

My Houzz: Cheery and Breezy Pittsburgh Home · More Info

Indian Hills · More Info
User
12 years ago
Wow, what a lot of interesting comments so I had to add my own. Mike, amazing work on the rendering!

I think what Mikes,rendering showed was that you need to go for a slightly lighter tone and my thoughts were - white, yellow or a bright orange.

Good luck!
Mike Link
12 years ago
Sarah, any updates on your project?
Sarah
Original Author
12 years ago
Hi guys! *Hangs head in shame* I have not repainted my door, yet. Does life just get in the way for everyone else? Hopefully when it cools down a bit (seriously, it's been nearly 100 for the past month and the humidity...ugh), I can rebuild the front steps and freshen the door with a new coat of paint. I love all these suggestions, and considering my favorite colors are blues, I'll probably go in that direction. I love momof5x's suggestions!