Removing the glass door really helps us see the front door color, but it’s probably not practical if you live in a cold climate. But using your flower for inspiration (it really shows up well), how about something like Ben Moore’s Dorset Gold (HC-8) for the front door? (Of course, the flower won’t show up against it, but the door will look great!)

See what you think.

-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach

The front door and garage door do not have to match, but with a brick house that already has a lot of color (red usually), the doors are often neutral (black/brown/white/green). In your case, since you have bronze windows, it does make sense to keep bronze as your garage door color (trim around it white??). But your front door, being the real focal point of the house, does need to attract attention. Certainly a mahogany door will do that. And bronze paint will be the conservative second. But feel free to branch out a little at the entryway. Consider a brick red door (if your trim is white). Other colors? Dark teal, dark purple, “Richmond Gold” (ben moore), or something else that is inspired by the color in your house or yard. The front door can be different.

Good luck.

-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach

Thanks in advance,
Shantell

Great site, wondering if you could help me. I am trying to finish a project off that is already over budget (surprise). We have a 2-story red brick colonial. Our windows have the architectural bronze trim (three standard windows across the second story). The first floor from left to right is our front door, a bay window in bronze trim with a copper roof (we just added this as a focal point to the standard flat front colonial) and a single garage door to the right of the bay window.

Our dilemma is now picking a front door, shutters and a new garage door. Our thought on the shutters is to keep them in bronze consistent with the window trim. For the front door, we prefer a solid door in mahogony color (the budget conscious alternative is painted bronze door). Our feeling on the garage door is that it should match the front door. Should this always be the case? Do you have any thoughts on alternative color options for front door, shutters and garage door? We have thought about a lighter sandtone color, but feel like it may draw attention from the rest of the house.

Any thoughts you could provide would be much appreciated. Thanks!

The white trim is fine since you have white windows. But I suggest painting the shutters black to dress up the house a bit and changing the front door color to a little softer green, something like Ben Moore’s Webster Green (HC-130). That will go with the roof color and add a little sophistication to the palette. You might consider ripping out the raised beds in front and replacing with a variety of foundation plantings (shrubs and bushes in various colors, including reds and pine greens). Then add your mums and other annuals for a splash of seasonal color. If your railing is not ink black, you can spray paint it so that metals and shutters coordinate.

Hope that gets you started.

-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach

I’ve really enjoyed reading all of your advise. I’ve got a new color conundrum for you if you’ve got the time. We have a 1960s one story brick rancher in the southeast. It isn’t exactly a looker, but it fit the budget. The previous owners put a brand new roof on it! In green! We have managed to fix up the inside after hours of ripping down paneling and putting up drywall and now we want to make the outside beautiful to match, but picking exterior colors is beyond the ability of this do it yourselfer. Any suggestions for trim, shutter, or door colors would be so much appreciated. Thanks so much!

Angela

http://picasaweb.google.com/tomatolater/UntitledAlbum?authkey=Gv1sRgCKj_huqi6JK0iwE#5357366840350456114

You have great ideas. I love the cream trim (not too yellow) to warm up the brick. Then the eggplant for the front door is perfect. I love the purple and red combination yet it’s still a bit edgy (which is a good thing). The other options are nice, but I think you’ll really like the eggplant best.

You’re set to start painting!

-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach

Great site! I too have a reddish brick house, about a hundred year old two-storey. No shutters, but the roof is black and the window boxes, trim etc. are white. The front door is also white. To me this color scheme looks boring. I would like to punch it up with a dramatic front door colour and move the trim from a stark white to a cream to modernize the look.

The front door I would like to paint a colour called “Black Tulip” which is almost eggplant. But I also thought maybe a warm gold (not too 1970’s) would look interesting, or perhaps a navy blue. What do you think of these choices? My favorite color red which is out because I think it will blend in too much, and hubby hates green so that is also out. I have considered taupe but it also seems a bit too traditional for us.

Thanks!

Jodi