7 Front Door Colors That Could Help You Sell Your Home for a Higher Price

Before a potential buyer even steps out of their car, they are already evaluating the property. They're inspecting the lawn, assessing the walkway, noticing the architectural features, and wondering if the entryway evokes that "I'm home" feeling. Interestingly, a 2022 survey by Zillow revealed that prospective buyers are especially attentive to the color of the front door. While it may seem like a small factor, it becomes more understandable once you consider the impact it has.

"The front door serves as an invitation and enhances curb appeal," explains Lance Thomas, lead designer at Thomas Guy Interiors. "The color of the front door can set a tone before anyone even enters the house. Plus, many buyers are looking for a move-in-ready home, and that journey typically begins right at the front door."

Top Front Door Colors to Consider for Painting

We reached out to the experts at Zillow, Opendoor, and Houzz to gather their real estate advice on the top front door paint colors. Whether you're getting ready to sell your home or just looking to enhance curb appeal, keep reading to discover their recommendations.

1. Black

According to Zillow's survey, a black front door commanded the highest offer price. On average, prospective buyers stated they'd pay $6,449 more for a home featuring this striking, bold color. Amanda Pendleton, Zillow's home trends expert, explains, "A fresh coat of black paint feels timeless on the right home. It's a high-contrast color, so it really stands out and grabs attention at the front door." Thomas concurs, pointing out that a black door is a timeless selection that remains stylish and gives the home a polished, sophisticated appearance.

2. Slate Blue

While a black front door was the overwhelming favorite in Zillow's survey, slate blue also caught the eye of many prospective homebuyers. Most participants said they'd buy a home with a slate blue front door and would be willing to pay around $1,537 more for it. "Slate blue is a soothing hue inspired by nature, mirroring the broader color trends currently popular in design," Pendleton notes. "This muted blue with gray undertones is both modern and inviting."

3. Forest Green

In a 2023 survey, Opendoor discovered that darker shades are the top choice, with 20 percent of homeowners selecting colors like forest green for their front doors. Additionally, Houzz provided data supporting the growing popularity of green, showing a 20 percent increase in searches for green front doors this year, following last year's rise from 2021. This signals a clear trend toward green within the Houzz community.

4. Navy Blue

Another deep, rich color that stood out in Opendoor's survey, alongside forest green, was striking navy blue. "While a more neutral entryway can serve as a blank slate, allowing buyers to better imagine themselves in the home, we often see homes with neutral exterior paint paired with more vibrant, attention-grabbing front door colors," explains Opendoor agent Bryson Taggart.

5. Mid-tone Brown

Zillow’s 2023 paint color analysis revealed that a mid-tone brown front door can increase a home's offers by $300. "It's worth noting that many recent and prospective buyers might be seeing this color as a natural wood front door, rather than just brown paint," explains Pendleton.

6. White

Similar to black, white is another color (or lack of color!) that all our experts agreed upon as an ideal choice for a front door. Yes, it does get dirty easily, but as Taggart pointed out, it's a neutral hue that allows others to easily imagine themselves in the space.

7. Mid-tone Gray

Zillow's survey revealed that both recent and prospective buyers favored homes with black front doors, followed closely by those with mid-toned gray doors. Think of this as the Goldilocks zone for gray: too light and it resembles unattractive cement (more on that shortly), while a shade too dark quickly veers into nearly black, which may feel heavy or off-putting.

How a Front Door Affects Home Sale Price

Although the color of a front door is ultimately a matter of personal taste, it can influence a home's selling price. The 2022 Zillow survey we mentioned earlier found that potential buyers would pay roughly $6,500 more for a home with a desirable front door color. On the flip side, they stated they'd pay about $6,500 less for a home if the front door color was deemed undesirable.

The Zillow survey involved 1,549 participants from across the U.S. who had either bought a home in the past two years or planned to purchase one in the next two years. The participants viewed an image of a front door along with four interior images of the home. They were shown one of 11 different front door colors, but all the interior images remained unchanged. They were then asked how much they would be willing to pay for the house. The conclusion is that while paint is a relatively minor factor overall, it's still something buyers consider—whether consciously or not—when determining the value of a potential home.

"Our behavioral scientists believe this happens because buyers are navigating a complex environment filled with uncertainty," says Pendleton. "We don't buy homes every day, so our brains are processing a lot of unfamiliar information, which is why certain signals like color can have a stronger influence on our decision-making."

Front Door Paint Colors You Should Avoid

Certain front door colors can turn home buyers off, potentially affecting the sale price or causing a buyer to walk away entirely. Avoid these hues to ensure you don't miss out on a possible sale.

• Pale Pink: A millennial pink door is only appealing to a small audience, making it a risky choice if you're selling. In Zillow's study, some participants described pale pink front doors as "somewhat shabby." Moreover, buyers indicated they'd offer $6,516 less than expected for a home with a pale pink door.
• Cement Gray: This lighter version of mid-tone gray received the lowest rating in Zillow's survey. Homes with cement gray doors saw the lowest offer prices, with buyers willing to pay $3,365 less. While it's a neutral shade, it can come across as outdated and lacking character or appeal.
• Teal: Bright, bold colors like teal are often unappealing to buyers. According to Opendoor's survey, 48% of respondents said teal was one of the least preferred front door colors.
• Red: Bright red doors were another turn-off for survey participants. Zillow's research confirmed this, showing that while buyers might like the color, they were less likely to be interested in touring homes with bright red front doors.
• Olive Green: Olive green and bright blue front doors consistently ranked poorly in all aspects. Buyers expressed dislike for homes with these colors and were less inclined to tour the property. They would offer $1,375 less for homes with olive green doors and $1,308 less for those with bright blue doors.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the most popular front door color?

  According to Zillow, the front door color that buyers prefer most is black.

• What is the best paint for doors in direct sunlight?

  Opt for fade-resistant outdoor paint to preserve color. Additionally, consider the light reflectance value (LRV), which measures how much light a paint color reflects. A higher LRV, closer to 100, means better fade resistance. Black paint scores low on the LRV scale, so it may fade quicker under the sun, which is an important consideration when choosing paint for resale purposes.

• What type of paint should you use for a front door?

  For a door exposed to the elements, use a high-quality exterior paint designed to withstand moisture and temperature fluctuations. Interior paints will crack and chip on an exterior door. "A high-quality satin exterior paint is recommended," says Colin Nellis, owner of Five Star Painting in Cincinnati. "It resists fading better and is easier to clean. If you prefer a glossier finish, you could choose semi-gloss or high-gloss, though these require more maintenance over time."