The Meaning of a Red Front Door
Sam Lutz • August 2, 2016
Red doors have meant different things throughout history. For some cultures, red doors signified wealth. For others, red was a sign of protection. Today, red is a color we associate with passion, drive, intensity and expression. Red doors beautify properties and draw the eye toward the home’s entrance, welcoming visitors. In this post, we’ll discuss the significance of red doors and how to choose a shade of red for your door.
Significance of Red Doors
A few common meanings
of red doors include:
- Welcome: In early American times, front doors were painted red to signify that travelers were welcome to stop and rest their horses. In the years before the Civil war, some homeowners painted their front doors red to welcome passengers on the underground railroad.
- Luck: The Chinese consider red doors to be lucky. Many homeowners refresh the red paint on their front doors at the Chinese new year.
- Debt-free: By tradition, homeowners in Scotland pay their doors red when they’ve paid off their mortgage.
- Good energy: Those who follow Feng Shui believe that red brings positive energy to a home, and will paint their front doors red because of this belief.
Does Your Home Have to Be Red for the Door to be Red?
Many homeowners who choose to paint their front door red do not actually have a red home. Red can be used in many color schemes. Below are some suggested color combinations:
- Cornwallis red and light gray: Cornwallis Red by Benjamin Moore is a crisp, fresh, natural red that stands out perfectly against cool, light blue-gray siding. We recommend pairing these two colors with white trim.
- Rosy Apple and straw yellow: Benjamin Moore’s rosy apple is a softer, gentler red with hints of dusty pink. This lighter red shade can be paired with shades of straw yellow and cream. Rosy apple also works well on homes made of blond or white brick.
- Million Dollar Red and deep brown: The bold, fire-engine-like shade of Million Dollar Red is so bright and vibrant that it looks best when paired with homes that are a darker color. We recommend using Million Dollar Red on homes that are dark brown, dark blue or dark gray.
Picking the Right Red for Your Home
When it comes time to pick the right shade of red for your home, we recommend painting some samples on your door before picking a final color. Choose two or three different shades of red that appeal to you, then purchase small sample containers of each.
Paint a sample of each red on your front door. Paint the sample colors side by side, then take time to view the door at different times of day, in different lights. You’ll notice that each shade of red seems to change depending on the time of day and the type of light that’s shining on it.
Once you’ve seen your front door during the morning, afternoon and evening, you should have a good idea of which color works best for you.
Stop in at Ace Paint and Unfinished Furniture
At Ace Paint and Unfinished Furniture, we help our customers pick the right shades of paint for their paint projects at home. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have about paint colors, different types of paint and the differences between each brand. We can also sell you painting supplies for your paint projects! Stop in today at one of our two convenient locations.
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