How to Paint Your Front Door

Painting your front door is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to boost your home’s curb appeal. Whether you’re going bold with a pop of colour or refreshing it with a clean, classic shade, a freshly painted door sets the tone for your entire home.

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through how to paint your front door the right way, how to choose the perfect colour, and how to get professional-looking results—even if it’s your first time doing it.

Why Paint Your Front Door?

Your front door is the focal point of your home’s exterior. A new coat of paint can make your entry feel more welcoming, highlight your personal style, and even increase your home’s value. It’s a quick weekend project with a big visual impact.

Step 1: Choose the Right Colour

Before you start painting, you’ll need to pick the right shade—and that depends on your home’s style, your personality, and the look you want to achieve.

Tips for choosing the right colour:

Consider your home’s exterior: Look at your siding, brick, stone, trim, and roof colour. Pick a shade that complements or contrasts tastefully.
Think about the vibe you want:
- Red, yellow, or turquoise = cheerful and bold
- Navy, charcoal, or forest green = classic and elegant
- Black, grey, or white = modern and clean
Test first: Buy a sample pot or use a peel-and-stick paint sample to test the colour on your actual door. See how it looks at different times of day in natural light.

Step 2: Gather Your Supplies

Here’s what you’ll need before you begin:

Exterior-grade paint (latex or alkyd, depending on your existing door)
Primer (if needed, especially if going from dark to light or painting bare wood or metal)
Sandpaper (120–220 grit)
Painter’s tape
Drop cloth or old sheet
Screwdriver (to remove hardware)
Cleaning supplies (mild soap or TSP)
Paintbrush and/or foam roller
Stir sticks
Optional: new door hardware for a full refresh

Step 3: Prep Your Door

Proper prep is what makes the paint job last—and look great.

Remove hardware
Take off the handle, lock, knocker, mail slot, and any other fixtures you can. If you can’t remove them, tape around them carefully.
Clean the door
Use warm soapy water or TSP to remove dirt, grease, and grime. Rinse and let it dry fully.
Sand the surface
Lightly sand the door to remove gloss and create a surface the new paint can adhere to. Wipe off dust with a clean, damp cloth.
Tape and protect
Use painter’s tape to mask off any areas you don’t want painted, including glass panels, trim, and hinges. Lay a drop cloth underneath the door.

Step 5: Paint Your Door

Prime (if needed). If you’re painting over a dark colour, bare wood, or metal, apply a coat of primer first. Let it dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This will give your topcoat better adhesion and a more even finish.

Paint:

Start with panels and edges
If your door has panels, paint those first with a brush. Then move to the edges and flat sections using a foam roller for a smoother finish.
Use thin, even coats
Apply the paint in thin layers to avoid drips. It’s better to do 2–3 thin coats than one thick one. Let each coat dry completely before applying the next.
Watch the weather
Avoid painting on rainy, humid, or extremely hot days. Ideal painting conditions are mild temperatures and dry weather.

Step 6: Let It Cure and Reattach Hardware

Once the final coat is dry to the touch, give it several hours (or overnight) to cure before reattaching your hardware. Be careful not to close the door too early—it can stick and damage the finish.

Optional: Add Extra Touches

While you’re updating your front door, consider upgrading the hardware, installing a new door knocker, or adding a fresh welcome mat or seasonal wreath to finish the look.

Final Thoughts

Painting your front door is a weekend project that packs a punch. With the right prep, tools, and colour choice, you can completely transform the look of your home’s entrance. It’s an easy way to express your style, embrace the season, and boost curb appeal in just a few steps.

Thinking of painting your front door this spring? What colour would you choose? Let us know in the comments!

How to Paint Your Front Door