Should Your Front And Back Doors Match?

The front and back doors of your home play an important role in your home. But when it comes to appearance, do the front and back doors need to match? Let's take a look to see if there's a compelling reason to make your home's front and back doors match.

If you're looking for a way to add visual interest to your home, contrasting the colors of your front and back doors is a great way to do it. Picking two colors that complement each other will give your home a stylish look that's sure to turn heads. At the end of the day, it's a matter of personal preference, so go with whatever looks best to you!

There's no right or wrong answer when it comes to whether your front and back doors should match. Nonetheless, in this article, we will give you some ideas to help you make a decision that's right for you and your home. In addition, we will answer other frequently asked questions about front and back doors in your home, so read on!

Stylish black front door of modern house with black walls, door mat, trees in pots, stairs and lamps, Should Your Front And Back Doors Match?

Do You Paint The Front And Back Door The Same Color?

There are several benefits to having a strong front door. It can help your home make a good first impression, it can be a deterrent to would-be burglars, and it can help you save on energy costs in the winter.

The back door serves the same purposes but doesn't get as many lookers as the front door. So it may seem like there's no need to put as much effort into making the back door look good.

But that doesn't mean you should skimp on painting your back door! A fresh coat of paint (or a new color altogether) can do wonders for making your home look more inviting.

It can also help to make a strong visual statement. After all, the back door is often visible from the street, so you want it to look its best.

However, does that mean that they have to match? Again, it's a matter of personal preference. You may want your doors to match for the sake of symmetry. Or you may want to paint them different colors to add a touch of personality to your home.

There aren't door police that will come and give you a ticket if your doors don't match. So ultimately, it's up to you!

If you do decide to paint your doors different colors, there are a few things to keep in mind. Let's take a look at a few tips for painting your front and back doors.

Beautiful exterior of newly built luxury home. Yard with green grass and walkway lead to ornately designed covered porch and front

Complementary Colors

First off, you'll want to pick colors that complement each other. This will give your home a stylish look that's sure to turn heads.

There are a few ways to go about picking complementary colors. One is to use a color wheel. This can help you see which colors are opposite of each other on the wheel and are therefore complementary.

For example, you won't have a bright red back door and a pale yellow front door. The colors are too close to the color wheel and will clash. Instead, you could pair a red door with a grey or a pine green door.

Make The Front Door The Focal Point

Another idea when painting the doors in different colors is to make the front door the focal point. This will help your home make a good first impression.

To do this, you'll want to pick a color for the front door that's bold and eye-catching. This could be a bright color like red or yellow. Or it could be a deep color like navy blue or forest green.

Once you've chosen a color for the front door, you can then pick a more subdued color for the back door. Some homeowners choose to have the back and side doors similar to the trim and exterior paint color. This helps the doors blend in with the rest of the house.

Fit The Style To Your Home

The color and texture of your doors should also fit the style of your home. If you have a modern home, you'll want to avoid anything too ornate or old-fashioned looking.

For colonial-style homes, a classic look is often best. This could be a white door with black hardware. Or it could be a rich wood-toned door with brass hardware.

Then you have a cabin or ranch-style home. These homes often benefit from a more rustic look. This could be a weathered wood door or a bright red door. This way, when guests first walk up to your home, they'll get a sense of your style just by looking at the doors.

The nice thing about today's age is that there are many sources of inspiration for your home. You can look to Pinterest, Instagram, and even magazines to get ideas for what would look best on your home.

house facade with entrance portal, balcony, pillars and front door

Contrast To Home Exterior Color

Another idea is to make the color you choose for your doors contrast well with the exterior paint color of your home. This will help your doors to really stand out and make a statement. 

For example, if you have a white house, you may want to avoid painting your doors white as well. Instead, consider a bright color, like red, yellow, or teal.

Or if your home is a dark color like grey or black, you may want to choose a light-colored door to add some contrast. This could be a pale yellow, light grey, or even white.

This is just a general rule of thumb, though. The reason most homeowners do this is so the door pops and doesn't get lost against the exterior of the house. But if you have a different vision for your home, don't be afraid to go against this rule!

Can I Paint My Front Door Black?

Like other colors, there is nothing that says you can't paint your front door black. In fact, black can be a very stylish color for a front door.

Just make sure that the rest of your home's exterior can complement a black door. This usually means having lighter-colored siding and trim. Otherwise, your home may look too dark and dreary.

If you do decide to paint your front door black, consider using high-gloss or semi-gloss paint. This will give the door a shiny look that's sure to turn heads.

You may also want to consider adding some color to the door with a wreath or a colorful welcome mat. This can help to add some contrast and make your home more inviting.

Black front door of classic style home in Oregon

Does A New Front Door Add Home Value?

While it won't make you rich overnight, a new front door can add some value to your home. This is especially true if the door is an upgrade from your old one.

However, on average, you will get 75% back on what you spend on a new front door when you sell your home. So if you spent $1,000 on the door, you could expect to see an increase of about $750 in your home's value.

Of course, this is just a general rule of thumb. In addition, there are other benefits to adding new exterior doors to your home.

First, it can help to improve the curb appeal of your home. This is the first impression that potential buyers will have of your home.

Second, it can also help to improve the energy efficiency of your home. This is because newer doors are often better insulated than older ones.

Lastly, it gives the homeowner peace of mind knowing that their home is more secure. This is especially true if the old door is beginning to show signs of wear and tear.

Plus, it tells the potential buyer that they don't need to buy a new door right away. So, in the end, adding a new front door is a win-win for both the homeowner and the potential buyer.

Can You Buy Exterior Doors Already Painted?

If you're short on time or simply don't want to deal with painting your new door, you can always buy an exterior door that's already painted.

Doors that come pre-painted are usually a solid color. However, you may be able to find some that have a two-tone finish or even a design.

Pre-painted doors are a great option for those who want a new door but don't want to deal with the hassle of painting it themselves. Plus, it's one less thing you have to worry about when you're trying to sell your home.

Worker painted wooden front door with paintbrush the renovation home

You can also buy exterior doors pre-primed. This means that the door has been primed but not painted. Doors that are pre-primed are a good option for those who want to paint the door themselves but don't want to deal with the priming process.

Pre-painted and pre-primed doors can be found at most home improvement stores.

Final Thoughts

Stylish black front door of modern house with black walls, door mat, trees in pots, stairs and lamps

These are just a few tips to consider when painting your doors in different colors. With a little bit of planning, you can easily create a look that's both stylish and unique. So don't be afraid to experiment with color! Your home will thank you for it.

Made it to the end? Here are other articles you might find helpful:

How To Open A Jammed Door From The Outside?

What House Colors Go With Brown Garage Doors?

How Big Of A Gap At The Bottom Of A Door?

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