This is a question we received from Judy B., and it’s a good one! Many homeowners in San Diego are looking to have the exterior of their homes painted right now and are wondering about color combinations for walls/doors/trim. It can be tricky to pick the perfect combination of colors that will go together and also complement the architecture of your home.
Tips for San Diego Homeowners Wanting to Paint Their Front Door Black
Without seeing Judy’s particular home, I can say that most dark gray homes can look great with a black front door! However, as a professional painter in San Diego, I would suggest leaving the trim around the front door white. This will add some architectural interest to the home and keep it from looking too dark. If the home has shutters, I would suggest painting those black as well, while leaving the window trim white. Another way to keep the front of your home from looking too stark is to add some greenery to the front of the house. A nice potted tree or some hanging ferns can do wonders for the front of a home!
Using a good glossy black paint will make a front door easy to keep clean. Since black shows dust more easily than lighter paint colors, those who paint their doors black will probably find themselves wiping down their doors more often. But that shouldn’t deter a homeowner from painting their doors black if that’s what they want. Wiping down a door only takes a few seconds.
When painting a front door, it’s also a great time to invest in some new door hardware. Upgrade from the builder grade hardware that came with the house, or pick something that is more your style. Trust me, if you have outdated or ratty-looking hardware, you won’t want to put it back on your freshly painted door when you’re done with the painting process!
Proper Prep is Key!
If you’re planning on painting your front door yourself, rather than hiring a professional San Diego house painter, make sure you take the time to do it right! When you paint something black, it’s going to show every little flaw!
Take the door off its hinges and remove all of the hardware. Don’t just try to tape off the hardware or paint around it—I promise you’ll regret it. Sand the door and then wipe it down really well. Lay the door flat to paint it to avoid drips. If you have a paint sprayer and know how to use it, that’s the best option. A paint brush or low-nap roller will work as well, but won’t give you as smooth of a finish—especially if you’re using a gloss paint. Use a primer before applying the finish coat for a longer-lasting paint job. Make sure the door is completely dry before putting the hardware back on and rehanging it.
For the best results, hire a professional painter. They’ll have the right equipment and know the best techniques for getting a flawless finish on your door. But if your budget only allows for a DIY job, just make sure you take your time and follow the steps above carefully.
Painting Interior Doors Black
Another trend that’s been popular in recent years is painting the interior doors in a home black. This creates a stunning look that’s great for homes that are more traditional in style. You can paint the trim around the doors black as well, or keep it white. Both options look great, so it really just depends on your preference. There’s no right or wrong here. I suggest looking at images online to see what you like best. A Google image search for “black interior doors” will give you a ton of options to look at. Pinterest is a great place to look as well.
If you’re having trouble visualizing how your particular house will look with different paint colors, and want some help deciding, you can always hire a San Diego house painting company that offers color consultations. A color consultant can help you narrow down your options and choose the paint colors that will give you the exact look and feel you’re going for.
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