Harbor View Hills Traditional Entry, Orange County

6. Paint the door an unexpected color. It sounds obvious, and yet so many of us take the easy way out and go with brown, black or white. If the task of choosing a bolder hue throws you for a loop, try this trick: Snap a photo of your house, then take it to the paint store so you can see how different colors work with your exterior. Choose a shade that contrasts strongly with the primary paint color: bright pink paired with pale gray siding, turquoise against rusty red brick, plum on khaki stucco. Lipstick red in a field of crisp white is a classic, but branch out and try other colors — perhaps kelly green or Chinese yellow.See more unexpected color schemes for home exteriors

The 20th-century painter Piet Mondrian used primary colors, such as yellow, in very geometric forms, similar to this rectangular front door. The look here is sharp and clean.

Color strategies. Balance a bright front door with exterior paint and window trim in neutral colors that will complement and enhance the door color. Flowering plants, evergreen shrubs and potted plants placed by the entryway provide another opportunity to complement a bold front door. Pull a bright paint color into the landscape with flowers and bright berries in a similar hue, or use dark green and blue-green foliage plants to balance a bold door.

What Color to UseA new front-door paint color can complement your home’s existing color scheme, or it can add a colorful accent piece. “We have seen an increase of clients who are choosing to be more adventurous and want to choose a bold color,” says Ray Orist, owner of R & J Painting in Crystal Lake, Illinois.“When picking a color for the front door, it is important to stand back and take in all of the colors on and around the house,” Murray says. The roof, siding, trim, brick and plants all play a role in determining a good color for your front door. If you’re still having a hard time choosing a color, you may consider hiring a color consultant to help with the decision. How to Choose a Front Door Color | Browse front door photos

In this traditional-style entry in Southern California, a shade of yellow close to Illuminating pairs well with the home’s neutral gray tones of cobbles and gray accents, including the house numbers on the wall and concrete-style pot by the front door.