Before we even moved into the house, I knew something had to be done with the front door. It needed to make a statement. And after years of renting, nothing says “we own this house” to me than a bold front door. I had been dreaming of painting my own front door since I was 3 and my mom painted our front door a nice, bright shade of red! Bold front doors run in my blood.
So we moved in, had a baby and began deciding which shade we would paint it… Actually I would have liked to replace it all together, but realized I didn’t have a money tree growing in the backyard and I didn’t have an extra $3k to shell out on a great front door. Painting it would be a much more cost-effective option. After much thought, many trips to the paint store for more swatches, and multiple opinions later, I decided I had had it. I woke up one morning, made a decision on a color, strapped my baby to my body and painted the door before my husband got home from work. (Surprise, Mr. Miller! You’re a good sport!)
As a creative person, I am really good at having ideas and REALLY bad at making decisions. I will sit for months on paint swatches before I can make a decision. MONTHS! I drive myself crazy. So for me to pull the trigger on the front door color was a big deal – and my goodness, it was a rewarding decision.
I consulted with my good friend, Google, on the best way to paint a front door before I began. I chose the easiest way possible by cleaning the door really well, skipping over the priming step (because it was already white) and painting thin, even coats with a small sponge roller, letting each coat dry completely before starting another. After 2 coats, I was pretty much done. Just some small touch-ups and the door looked pretty much perfect. (HERE is a good tutorial for ya)
After the door was looking so rich and beautiful, I decided it would be a crying shame to put that bland old door knob back on. I found that door knobs weren’t cheap, but after getting it on, so worth it! It really made a difference in how the door looked.
So now our house looks as happy on the outside as it feels on the inside. I love that!
A $15 quart of paint was all it took to give this door a totally new look. $140 for a new deadbolt and door knob and I had a completely new front door! The best part is, it was so easy that if I get sick of the blue, $15 and one morning of my time and I can have a new color of my choice. (But I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of that bright, cheery blue!) So if you are putting off painting your front door – STOP IT OUT! You will be so thrilled with yourself when you’re finished.
We have a lot of plans for the outside of this little home of ours, but the front door was a perfect first step.
(also note that this was soon after we moved in and we since have matching window treatments and a cleaned up yard. 😉 )
And because I know you’re considering painting your front door teal now (it really is the happiest color to come home to!) the color is Valspar “Retro Chic”. Have at it, sisters!
Kami
Love it! I painted ours sage/moss green! It’s the little things that truly make a house a home 🙂
Kami
Also, I found a .98 decal I added to mine, it says “welcome” enter as guests, leave as friends…it really looks good and adds a little bling!