5 Simple Tips for Painting Your Front Door (Pink)

Tips on Painting your front door pink or any other color. Would you paint your door pink for fall? A few summers ago, I had been thinking about painting our front door pink. But as soon as the mums started showing up at Home Depot, I knew it was time, and we started looking at paint samples. We used Behr Paint, Sunset Pink.

This post has been updated: August 30, 2023.

Finding the right color for your front door (but remember, it’s just paint)

Finding the right door color can be tricky. But don’t worry, it’s just paint and can be changed with just a little time and work! 

During a trip to Home Depot, we took a few paint chips from the display and walked out to the garden center to see how they looked with nature. Then, walking back to the paint counter, we passed the copper pipes. I think that’s where we settled on Sunset Pink. I’m not sure why we settled on Sunset Pink right then and there or what the copper pipes had to do with it. Maybe it was the warm glow of copper that caught my eye. Or maybe it was the name of the paint. I am slightly obsessed with the names of paint colors.

Why do people paint their doors different colors?

Years ago, painting your door a certain color was a form of communication. For example, during colonial times painting a door red was a symbol that travelers were welcome to stop in and spend the night. Can you imagine? Today, I think people paint their doors for very different reasons. 

Personally, I like to paint my door sometimes for the season, but other times, it might be a color that I’m particularly fond of and one that looks good with how I’m planting my pots that year. Other times, it’s a reflection of the trends I’m following or the mood I’m feeling. It’s really just personal preference and choosing colors that speak to you personally. 

Should front doors be the same color inside and out?

My typical rule of thumb is that regardless of the color of your door on the exterior, the inside of the door should always match the interior walls.

What paint finish should I use on the doors?

This one comes down to personal choice. I happen to prefer a Satin finish. But you can also use gloss or semi-gloss. It really just depends on which look you find most appealing. I do think a gloss finish is the most difficult to work with, especially if it’s hot outside or in direct sunlight. It always shows the brush strokes.

The only finish I never use on a door is a flat finish. In my experience, flat-finished doors don’t wear well. They scuff far too easily and are also difficult to clean and then still look nice. 

Does the color of my door help or hurt resale?

If I’m not in the process of selling my house, I enjoy having some fun with painting the front door in different colors. However, if I were selling my house, I’d paint the door a neutral color and one that tends to fit in nicely with the look and feel of the neighborhood. A pink door, for example, may really turn some people off.

5 Tips on Painting Your Front Door

1. Sand the door with a sanding block or a small piece of sandpaper to smooth any previous paint drips.
2. Fill in any slight imperfections in the wood. If you don’t, the paint will illuminate them. We use wood filler, let it dry, and then sand it smooth. Wipe the door down with a clean, damp cloth.
3. Painter’s tape is your best friend. The more time you take to properly tape, the less time you’ll spend scraping and touching up; we tape hinges, doorknobs, glass…anything you don’t want to be painted.
4. Always Paint in the shade, as the paint will dry much smoother. The paint will dry too quickly in the sun, and the finish will be streaky.
5. Allow the paint to dry for a day before applying a second coat. Remove the tape and use a new razor blade to remove any paint left behind. Be very careful around the door hardware to prevent any damage. Removing the hardware before painting is also an option.

Emtek Door Hardware 

If you haven’t replaced your door hardware in a while, there is no better time to do it than after applying a few coats of new paint. 

We have used Emtek Hardware for the exterior and interior doors on our last five houses! They always have exactly the style I want, and you get great quality for a really good price! 

We recently installed new Emtek electronic locks and wrote about it in this post. We also wrote about new hardware in a post as well as in this one. 

Entryway rug

I needed a new entryway rug, and I changed it out when we painted the door. The rug is from Serena & Lily. The Metallic Suede and Hemp Rug is one that I know they have carried for years. When I worked at the Westport store, we had one in the office/kitchen/break room, so I knew it wore extremely well. This was a very high-traffic area, and it always looked great. And it works with any style.

Making the porch cozy for fall

We added cozy blush pink throws from Target and our ceramic lanterns from Crate and Barrel. We removed the rug in preparation for winter and to make it look a little different than summer. Really all we did was add the throws! We use the Montecito pillows from Serena & Lily year-round! The Cayman pitcher and glassware are also from Serena & Lily.

More inspiration for your outdoor fall doors and decor from these bloggers!

Make sure to check out these amazing posts!

How to Decorate your home With Outdoor Fall Decor | My 100 Year Old Home

Minimalist Fall Porch | Modern Glam

Simple Outdoor Fall Table Decor Ideas | Twelve on Main

Fall Mum Display Ideas for the Front Porch | Happy Happy Nester

 

Decorating Steps with Pumpkins | Finding Lovely

Fall Porch Decor in Subtle Autumn Colors | Maison de Cinq

Fall Decorating on the Front Porch | Inspiration for Moms

How to Make Pumpkins Last Longer (for decoration or eating!) | The DIY Mommy

 

Would You Paint Your Door Pink for Fall? | Most Lovely Things

Fall Front Door With Pumpkins and Mums | Life is Better at Home

Are you following me on Pinterest?

Homes and Outdoor Spaces 

Fall Decor

Entryways

Choosing paint colors