We are always looking for front door paint color ideas, and we found them in Paris! In early September of 2018, we (Michelle & Maddie) traveled to Paris for Maison & Objet, the interior design trade show.
While we learned SO much at the show, we learned just as much while wandering around the beautiful city streets. We were amazed to find a common pattern in the doors of Paris, and have brought back the ultimate color guide to transform your front door into a Paris-inspired beauty. We have 16 bold and beautiful colors for your front doors.
These colors are classic and timeless, and just as beautiful as your front door.
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The Pattern We Saw
We learned that the doors in Paris are either blue, green, red, or occasionally neutral or stained wood doors. They are large with prominent handles and feature ornate decorative work. Sometimes the door colors tied in with their surroundings, but not always. Paint your doors with a semi-gloss sheen to make them stand out.
We matched each door to a Benjamin Moore paint color so you can paint your front door with inspiration from the streets of Paris!
Blue Front Doors
The most common color we saw was blue. Below are five options for blue doors that include crisp and clean, muted, light and dark colors to cater to your exterior style. The first front door color is crisp and clean, and the color is Benjamin Moore Blue Macaw 784 (Sample).
Photo by M. Camilli / Blue Macaw
This beautiful mid-tone blue glows with the local stone. Paint your door with Benjamin Moore Fiji AF-525 (Sample).
Photo by M. Camilli / Fiji
A dark moody blue adds a touch of drama. Check out Benjamin Moore Hudson Bay 1680 (Sample).
Photo by M. Camilli / Hudson Bay
Another mid-tone option with Benjamin Moore Mistral 842 (Sample).
Photo by M. Camilli / Mistral
This door is Benjamin Moore Niagara Falls 1657 (Sample), a lovely mid-toned muted option.
Photo by M. Camilli / Niagara Falls
Sample Colors
We always recommend that you test paint colors (article) in your home because lighting can completely change a color, both on interiors and exteriors.
In the old days, this meant we painted a large poster board with sample pots and a huge mess.
Now we have a better way to test paint, with Samplize Peel-and-Stick samples!
- Samples pre-painted with 2 coats of real paint from the manufacturer.
- Large 9” x 14” samples to see the color better in the lighting.
- Delivered overnight
- Colors are accurate
- Less expensive than painting a large poster board with sample pots
- No mess, and no toxic paint to dispose of
I use these in my color consulting practice for exact results. Discover Samplize peel-and-stick paint samples via the link below.
Green Front Doors
The next most common color we saw was green. Our lightest option was Benjamin Moore Harrisburg Green HC-132 (Sample).
Photo by M. Camilli / Harrisburg Green
The darkest option was Benjamin Moore Miramichi CC-752 (Sample), and we are in love!
Photo by M. Camilli / Miramichi
The clean and crisp option is a gorgeous arched door matched to Benjamin Moore North Sea Green 2053-30 (Sample).
Photo by M. Camilli / North Sea Green
This beautiful muted green is Benjamin Moore High Park 467 (sample).
Photo by M. Camilli / High Park
What is the easiest way to sample front door paint colors?
Let’s take a break and discuss paint samples. You should always sample and test your paint colors to see how they behave in your specific lighting. The easiest way to sample is via SAMPLIZE. Their peel-and-stick paint samples are easy to use with real paint and true to color.
There is no mess, and the cost is less expensive than purchasing a sample and a white poster board. Since you don’t need to dispose of the paint, it’s also environmentally friendly!
With Samplize you can easily see how different shades look on your front door.
Red Front Doors
We also saw lots of red front doors, especially with churches. The doors on this church look like Benjamin Moore Classic Burgundy HC-182 (Sample).
Photo by M. Camilli / Classic Burgundy
These doors were also BM Classic Burgundy. They are delicious, dark, and muted!
Photo by M. Camilli / Classic Burgundy
These doors are dark and bold. Remember Caliente AF-290 (Sample)? It was Benjamin Moore’s 2018 Color of the Year.
Photo by M. Camilli / Caliente
These next-door neighbors both have red doors. Benjamin Moore Rapture CC-66 (Sample) on the left and Ruby Red 2001-10 (Sample) on the right.
Photo by M. Camilli / Rapture, Ruby Red
Last but not least, Benjamin Moore Million Dollar Red 2003-10 (Sample) is my favorite, I’m going to paint my new front door that color!
This is one of Laurel Bern’s favorite red paint colors to brighten up a north-facing room. If you haven’t read Laurel’s blog, you should. She teaches all about paint colors, interior design (and exterior design), has a great sense of humor, and I love learning from her. She is not just an amazing interior designer, but also a master colorist!
Photo by M. Camilli / Million Dollar Red
Neutral Front Door Colors
When the doors weren’t one of these bright and beautiful colors, they were a unique and lovely neutral shade.
These ornate doors were painted Benjamin Moore Marina Gray 1599 (Sample), a shimmery cool magical color. It looks great with the stone and almost looks metallic.
Photo by M. Camilli / Marina Gray
Our last door color is Benjamin Moore Sterling Silver 1461 (Sample), a serene warm gray.
Photo by M. Camilli / Sterling Silver
What is the easiest way to sample these Paint Colors?
We always recommend that you test paint colors on your home because lighting can change a color completely, both with interiors as well as exteriors.
In the old days, this meant we painted a large poster board with sample pots and a huge mess.
Now we have a better way to test paint, with Samplize Peel-and-Stick samples!
- Samples pre-painted with 2 coats of real paint from the manufacturer.
- Large 9” x 14” samples to see the color better in the lighting.
- Delivered overnight
- Colors are accurate
- Less expensive than painting a large poster board with sample pots
- No mess, and no toxic paint to dispose of
I use these in my own color consulting practice for exact results. Discover Samplize peel-and-stick paint samples:
Buy 8 samples and get 2 free – no coupon code required. Order today and get samples tomorrow!
Key Learning Points
Paris front doors can be a great inspiration for your home. The colors are classic, timeless, rich, and bold. With all the fun that comes with choosing a front door color, the vast array of options can be a little overwhelming- BUT, our Guide to Paris Doors can aid in your decision process and inspire you straight from the beautiful streets of Paris!
As always, don’t forget to test your paint colors. Check out our paint testing blog here.
Online Color Consulting
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About the Author
Hi, I’m Michelle Marceny, founder, owner, and Principal Color Designer at The Color Concierge. I believe a fresh coat of paint can completely transform a space. The Color Concierge was born out of my drive to help clients fall back in love with their homes. My clients trust me to help them find the perfect paint color for their home – whether it’s a whole-house paint color scheme or ideas for a single room.
Since The Color Concierge was founded in 2017, we have completed over 3000 color consultations, both online and in-person. I am a Certified Color Expert with 7 years of experience creating interior and exterior color palettes throughout North America.
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We love your comments! Please note that the blog is meant as general advice, and it is not possible to give out specific answers to your paint questions. If you want more specific advice, our Online Color Consultations will help you pick your paint colours. Thank you for your understanding.
6 Responses
I need a French style green paint color for front door and shutters. I lean towards a moss or olive green color.
Annie Sloan makes a color called Olive! Good place to start?
I have medium blue shutters on a stone farmhouse and need a front door suggestion?
Front door colour suggestion.
My brick french house is painted in local rust colour. Shutters are dark petrol colour. What colour should I paint he windows and front door?
I have a yellow brick ranch home. 👀 for a front door color.