10 Bold Paint Colors to Perk Up an Entryway
Greet guests with gusto by painting an entry watery blue, herbal green, sunny yellow or another vibrant hue
If you’re a fan of fun color but struggle with how to incorporate it into your home, I’ve got three words for you: as you enter. I adore vibrant colors, but even I don’t want to spend hours lounging in a living room painted neon yellow. However, a fun splash of yellow greeting me when I enter and sending me off when I exit would brighten my mood every time I pass through. Here, I show 10 bold colors that can achieve a similar remarkable experience.
1. Watery Blue
Watery blues are saturated colors, but because they remind us of the sea and the sky and of being outdoors, they don’t come on quite as strong as hot hues like warm and bright shades of red, orange or yellow.
Watery blues are saturated colors, but because they remind us of the sea and the sky and of being outdoors, they don’t come on quite as strong as hot hues like warm and bright shades of red, orange or yellow.
One of my favorite ways to use a pretty blue is on the ceiling, as shown in this Atlanta entry by Elle Du Monde. It brings an outside vibe inside and visually raises the ceiling.
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For a similar look: Layer a couple of different shades of a watery blue with a warm gray or sandy tan neutral for a pleasing palette that calls to mind beach getaways and fun under the sun.
It’s important to note that for all the paint colors shown in this story, due to differences in how screens display color, the paint colors you see on your device or monitor may not be true to the actual color. Paint colors also tend to appear brighter in large swaths on the wall or ceiling versus what you view from a small swatch.
For these reasons, it’s important to always view and evaluate large samples of the actual paint color you are considering before you commit. Working with a professional interior designer or color consultant is always a good idea.
11 Reasons to Work With an Interior Designer
It’s important to note that for all the paint colors shown in this story, due to differences in how screens display color, the paint colors you see on your device or monitor may not be true to the actual color. Paint colors also tend to appear brighter in large swaths on the wall or ceiling versus what you view from a small swatch.
For these reasons, it’s important to always view and evaluate large samples of the actual paint color you are considering before you commit. Working with a professional interior designer or color consultant is always a good idea.
11 Reasons to Work With an Interior Designer
2. Herbal Green
Here’s an easy green color to consider. Green is particularly popular right now in home design and decor, and I think it’s because it calls to mind nature, growth and rebirth. It’s a hopeful color, and when used inside your entry, it brings an organic vibe that’s pleasing to the eye.
Green Is the Top Paint Color for 2022
Here’s an easy green color to consider. Green is particularly popular right now in home design and decor, and I think it’s because it calls to mind nature, growth and rebirth. It’s a hopeful color, and when used inside your entry, it brings an organic vibe that’s pleasing to the eye.
Green Is the Top Paint Color for 2022
For a similar look: The beautiful green-hued entryway above is clad in Calke Green by Farrow & Ball. Here are two additional herbal hues that would bring a botanical boost as well.
3. Sunny Yellow-Orange
My go-to color for brightening up a room is a cheery, sunny yellow-orange on the ceiling or walls, as in this entry. The trick here is to pick a color that is neither too soft nor too intense. A mid-bright color will bring a sunny vibe without feeling too “hot.”
The 10 Most Popular Entryways of Summer 2021
My go-to color for brightening up a room is a cheery, sunny yellow-orange on the ceiling or walls, as in this entry. The trick here is to pick a color that is neither too soft nor too intense. A mid-bright color will bring a sunny vibe without feeling too “hot.”
The 10 Most Popular Entryways of Summer 2021
For a similar look: These paint colors are softer than the yellow and orange colors shown in the previous photo, but they will still bring a fun splash of warm color to an entry.
4. Deep Sea Blue
Though not particularly bright colors, sea blue hues still pack a dramatic punch. They are similar to navy, but they’re a bit lighter and have slight green undertones. This is a great color choice for anyone who lives in a sunny, hot climate, as it offers a cooling respite as you venture inside. But it can work anywhere, as seen in this Chicago entry by Amy Storm & Company.
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Though not particularly bright colors, sea blue hues still pack a dramatic punch. They are similar to navy, but they’re a bit lighter and have slight green undertones. This is a great color choice for anyone who lives in a sunny, hot climate, as it offers a cooling respite as you venture inside. But it can work anywhere, as seen in this Chicago entry by Amy Storm & Company.
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For a similar look: These beautiful blues pair best with other cool hues such as crisp whites and shades of gray. When combined with black accents, they have an elegant vibe that works well with any architectural or interior design style.
5. Peacock Blue
If you take a watery blue and go bolder and greener, you’ll get peacock blue, named for the vibrantly hued feathers found on the namesake bird. This bold, exotic color calls to mind tropical destinations, perfect for those who don’t get to travel as much as they’d like. This Philadelphia entry by Mel McDaniel Design is a good example of how peacock blue can set a pleasing tone.
If you take a watery blue and go bolder and greener, you’ll get peacock blue, named for the vibrantly hued feathers found on the namesake bird. This bold, exotic color calls to mind tropical destinations, perfect for those who don’t get to travel as much as they’d like. This Philadelphia entry by Mel McDaniel Design is a good example of how peacock blue can set a pleasing tone.
For a similar look: Pretty peacock blue colors work well with other exotic hues such as tropical yellow-greens and vibrant citrus hues. Or, for a less busy look, work in cool whites and light grays.
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6. Cool Navy
If hot colors aren’t your thing, maybe navy is more your style. Cooler and darker than the previous blues discussed here, navy brings a sophisticated feel to a home’s entry, as shown in this Boston entry by Kate Mogul Interior Design. One of navy’s best features is that it works as a neutral, so it plays well with other colors and won’t feel dated as quickly as trendy non-neutral colors will.
If hot colors aren’t your thing, maybe navy is more your style. Cooler and darker than the previous blues discussed here, navy brings a sophisticated feel to a home’s entry, as shown in this Boston entry by Kate Mogul Interior Design. One of navy’s best features is that it works as a neutral, so it plays well with other colors and won’t feel dated as quickly as trendy non-neutral colors will.
For a similar look: The blue used in the Boston entryway shown previously is Kensington Blue by Benjamin Moore. Included here are two additional navy paint colors to consider for your entryway.
7. Zesty Orange
Now on to some colors that are a bit out there. If you’re looking for something bold and interesting, these last few colors are for you.
You can tell by the use of color alone that a fun-loving family lives in this Little Rock, Arkansas, home by MSiegel Design. They have created a great spot to arrive at or depart from.
This is a vibrant orange, but because it’s used in a small amount within the room and gets plenty of natural light to support it, the color doesn’t come on too strong or too intense.
Now on to some colors that are a bit out there. If you’re looking for something bold and interesting, these last few colors are for you.
You can tell by the use of color alone that a fun-loving family lives in this Little Rock, Arkansas, home by MSiegel Design. They have created a great spot to arrive at or depart from.
This is a vibrant orange, but because it’s used in a small amount within the room and gets plenty of natural light to support it, the color doesn’t come on too strong or too intense.
For a similar look: The paint swatches shown here are quite vibrant, which makes them extremely eye-catching. For that reason, it’s best to limit their use to items or architectural elements that you want to stand out.
8. Spicy Red
A saturated orange-red is a bold color choice, especially on the ceiling, as designer Burkhard Heß did in this modern German entryway. Keep in mind that it will visually lower the ceiling, but it can also create a cozy vibe with a hug of warm color. I think this would look fantastic in a home that has a similar hue for the front door. Continuing such a lively, welcoming color into the entry signals to guests that this is a fun place to visit.
7-Day Plan: Get a Spotless, Beautifully Organized Entry Hall
A saturated orange-red is a bold color choice, especially on the ceiling, as designer Burkhard Heß did in this modern German entryway. Keep in mind that it will visually lower the ceiling, but it can also create a cozy vibe with a hug of warm color. I think this would look fantastic in a home that has a similar hue for the front door. Continuing such a lively, welcoming color into the entry signals to guests that this is a fun place to visit.
7-Day Plan: Get a Spotless, Beautifully Organized Entry Hall
For a similar look: Colors that bring to mind savory foods such as tomatoes, chili peppers and hot and zesty spices stimulate our appetites and are also thought to stimulate conversation. It’s a great color choice, then, for the space your houseguests first encounter in your home.
9. Berry Pink
I would argue that anything goes when selecting color to be used in a small amount in a space that you don’t inhabit for long periods of time. If you love hot pink, think about using it in the entryway or mudroom of your home, as the designer did in this Michigan mudroom by Meadowlark Design+Build. It’s a quick and easy way to make the space unique to your style and personality. And if you outgrow the color down the road, it’s an easy thing to change.
I would argue that anything goes when selecting color to be used in a small amount in a space that you don’t inhabit for long periods of time. If you love hot pink, think about using it in the entryway or mudroom of your home, as the designer did in this Michigan mudroom by Meadowlark Design+Build. It’s a quick and easy way to make the space unique to your style and personality. And if you outgrow the color down the road, it’s an easy thing to change.
For a similar look: Look closely at the undertones of pink paint colors. Some veer warmer (more red) and others cooler (more purple). Warmer pinks pair well with warm whites, as well as warm hues such as reds, yellows, yellow-greens and oranges. Cooler pinks are a natural fit with cool whites and cool shades of blue and purple.
10. Bold Yellow
And lastly, nothing heralds guests into your home like a warm and lively color, and this yellow very loudly declares itself and draws you into the home.
Earlier in this article, I advised against using large amounts of a bright color inside your home. For some reason, though, it works for me in this London entry by InSpace Design. Maybe because it’s a tiny space with no furniture — a room used for only brief amounts of time. The color is joyful and lively when experienced in small snippets throughout the day.
And lastly, nothing heralds guests into your home like a warm and lively color, and this yellow very loudly declares itself and draws you into the home.
Earlier in this article, I advised against using large amounts of a bright color inside your home. For some reason, though, it works for me in this London entry by InSpace Design. Maybe because it’s a tiny space with no furniture — a room used for only brief amounts of time. The color is joyful and lively when experienced in small snippets throughout the day.
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For a similar look: These paint colors will bring the zing to your space. Pair them with white or soft neutrals to keep the vibe light and playful.
Your turn: How have you used color to uplift the entry to your home?
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Your turn: How have you used color to uplift the entry to your home?
More on Houzz
Read more entryway stories on Houzz
Browse entryway photos
Find a professional
Shop for products
So let’s take a look at some tantalizing colors I often recommend homeowners consider for an entry.