Even though no one around here color matches their garage doors to their house I decided to follow the advice of the wise designers here and do it. I love how my dark garage doors look with my dark house. When my dd and sil saw the garage doors for the first time a few days ago...they thought I was nuts. Oh well, you can’t please everyone.

When painting garage doors darker, I'll often choose a color a bit lighter than the dark on the house. On the first house above, for example, I might try the color in the gables on the garage doors, or the body color a few shades lighter.

i like the white on the 2nd one, but the house body color, since it's not so dark, might work too.

ILR which proves my point! Please yourself. Read what people say and ask for opinions but do what works for you ultimately as you are the one who lives there.

Just because you did it and are happy with it is great. However it doesn't make it good design. Most people post here because they are looking for advice and want to make it the best they can. Not everyone wants the pat on the back. That may be fine for the children you teach, but not for those looking for advice here.

However, I see many homes with dark exteriors and white garage doors.

I see lots of McMansions and other elements -- like fake shutters or faux stone trim that's pasted just on the front of the house and doesn't wrap all the way around the house -- but that doesn't mean they're attractive, pleasing, a good idea, or correctly or well-done.

I'm sure your mother probably gave you the "If all your friends were doing X, would you do it, too?" talk. It works with same with building houses, decorating rooms, etc : ) . Bad or poorly-thought out design choices become popular -- especially easy in these days of HGTV, Pinterest, blogs, etc. -- and soon they're the default option. It doesn't mean those options are the best ones, they just have the weight of popularity and lemming-like human nature behind them.

Doesn’t this design advice apply to dark homes as well???

It does. It's easy if you just remember that the garage should, generally, match the siding. That means white/light siding = white/light garage doors. Dark siding = dark garage doors.

It ultimately depends on how one views or uses the Houzz/GardenWeb forums. Some folks just want some cheerleading and "you do you!" pats on the back. Others are truly interested in principles of good design and applying them to their houses and interiors to make the most pleasing home possible, and are open to considering differing points of view. It's up to you to decide which way to go.

Doesn’t this design advice apply to dark homes as well???

Yes it absolutely does. Ideally to paint it the same color as the main body of the house or a shade lighter. The idea is the garage shouldn't be the focal point of the house. The house and the entry should be.

Here is the same house with the garage as you posted and with it painted close to the same color as the body of the house. In each photo what is the first thing you notice?

Do you want a house with a garage or a garage with a house attached?

Alison, I'm discussing principles of good design, not personal style. Big difference.

You don't have to like my house color or my windows. That's fine because that's personal style. However there are principles of good design that go beyond choosing gray or green or using a stained glass window or not.

And yes in the end you're free to choose whatever you prefer. You're even welcome to do what every other person in your neighborhood is doing so you'll fit in. But it would be remiss for those of us who care about good design to just say do as you want and being a cheerleader for bad design (not different stylistic choices) without explaining why something could be better.

Or to quote Becky above:

Some folks just want some cheerleading and "you do you!" pats on the back. Others are truly interested in principles of good design and applying them to their houses and interiors to make the most pleasing home possible, and are open to considering differing points of view. It's up to you to decide which way to go.

wow. 'baby poop green' and stained glass in the windows?

Alison, cp has a craftsman home. stained glass windows are very period detail in those types of homes. her stained glass throughout is stunning and fits the house to a tee. I'm surprised you would bag on her for that. as for the 'poopy green' color, also common in arts/crafts homes. did it occur that maybe in person it looks different? She's an artist. I'm sure if the colors were off in any way, she would repaint.

color is a personal choice. I think the difference she was alluding to, design-wise, is there is personal choice w/good design (like cpartist) and personal choice w/bad design. you may not like her poop green color, but in her house w/her other decor, it does work. it's not a design faux pas.

I like the idea of a dark door w/a dark house. The white works too, it's a matter of choice.

I might pick something like this, and also do wood for the curved gable accents, and maybe cedar shingles instead of those lighter gray ones.

I have a black garage door. I suppose I should drown myself.

The difference with Beth's choice is it also blends in with the house so it's not the most prominent feature. If you squint you can see the value is almost the same as the body of the house.

Yes, good design principles are important and the advice from people like Beth and cpartist are very valuable, but to Allison's point, we all see through very different eyes. What is lovely to one will be ugly to another... even if good design principles are followed. I think you can "do you" and still have good design most of the time and that is what Houzz is all about.... at least it is for me. I want good design, but I also have to love it. No one can convince me that something I think is ugly is not ugly just because it is good design.

For example, no matter how many people think Jackson Pollock is a genius, it will alway look like someone spilled some paint to me (https://www.jackson-pollock.org/convergence.jsp).

Btw, I had just decided a few days back to paint my garage door the same as my house for the reasons stated here. This thread helped me validate that decision. Thanks!

Just for fun, I wanted to add that here in SF, people take "you do you" to a new level when it comes to exterior colors. I personally wouldn't want a rainbow house, but I love walking around and seeing all the color experiments. Here is a small sampling:

http://www.upout.com/blog/san-francisco-3/tour-san-franciscos-whimsical-colorful-houses-will-make-smile

https://mymodernmet.com/san-francisco-colorful-houses/

"...However, I see many homes with dark exteriors and white garage doors. Doesn’t this design advice apply to dark homes as well???..."

It's really this simple: If one wants their garage door to blend in and not have a strong visual contrast, then make it a color very similar to the siding color. On the other hand, if one wants to dramatize the garage door and call attention to it, then make it a highly contrasting color.

The design challenge with garage doors is that they are always the single largest component on any residential façade. That means they tend to visually dominate the entire façade where they are located. In most situations, and in all cases with a "snout" garage that is a bad situation.

And just because "many homes" have highly contrasting garage doors doesn't make it a good design decision. In most cases, these folks aren't even aware of what happens with highly contrasting garage doors. In some cases, these folks simply don't care.

Good luck on your project.

Great discussion on taste vs. good design vs. personal preference (and I deal with that on a daily basis...LOL) but fail to see how derogatory adjectives adds to it.

The problem is the design of the front façade. Looking at the example of white garage door vs color matched garage door above, design is the problem. Color matched allows the front entrance door to be emphasized. But it then needs more. And that's the design problem. That façade was drawn for a white garage door. When you color match the entrance needs to be redesigned to exploit the fact that it's the focal point. You aren't getting the best façade yet.

Oh robinlmorris, those candy colored houses in SF hurt my eyes!

Thousands of members over several decades have been able to understand without any prompting or assistance the long-standing unwritten rule at GardenWeb -- call it the GW golden rule -- that while projects before completion, and anything for which homeowners request opinions, receive unvarnished critiques, completed projects are off-limits to critique. Not surprising, though, that a member who fails to understand the former also fails to understand the latter.

Who said it?

"Pretty sure this was mistakenly put up as a post and was intended to be a question asked of the photo poster. I’ve noticed this happening a lot lately on Houzz and is likely just an error. No need for the rudeness."

This next one was in response to a comment made by another person in the same thread about how the OP in that thread was the rudest person.

"Not disagreeing Holly. Just noticing a trend as of late."

"Get off your high horse. I would never paint my house the baby poop colour you chose or fill it with stained glass windows but you clearly love it...Your selections are far from “perfect”"

"Architects commenting on derogatory adjectives being used in a post is comical. Pot calling kettle black much..."

All are comments above are from the same person.

This is the same person who constantly lets OP's know that they should ignore the "nasty comments" from "certain people on this forum".

I'd suggest this is an it depends question.

I often choose 4 colors when painting. Body, Trim, Primary Door (accent color), and Secondary Doors (including garage doors).

Using the body color shown below, I'd choose the 2nd from left for the secondary doors and one of the reds for the primary door.

Actually, the biggest difference in the garage door Beth posted is about $6,000.

I initially wanted a wood garage door, but the price of one made that decision for me. When I made a post asking about a paint color for it on my red brick/white siding house, I got the gamut on answers from pros and non pros alike. From white, brown, green, blue to red matching the brick.

I really don't believe there is a correct answer. Even saying one color will draw attention to your garage door over another is subjective. If it IS like art, then everyone will have their own opinion. Even in the example CP gave up above, I actually think the white garage door helps the front door stand out and look crisp. But she believes the darker color looks best. Even if there was a "rule", every house is different. A lot can depend on the style, landscape, etc.

OP, the best way to decide is to do some mockups and see which one you like the best. Then make a decision and don't ask anyone their opinion ever again.

Play nice people. Maybe take a break.

My Mom always said " The problem is never the problem".

"...I really don't believe there is a correct answer. Even saying one color will draw attention to your garage door over another is subjective. If it IS like art, then everyone will have their own opinion. Even in the example CP gave up above, I actually think the white garage door helps the front door stand out and look crisp. But she believes the darker color looks best. Even if there was a "rule", every house is different. A lot can depend on the style, landscape, etc..."

Well...it's certainly true that some types of art (and architecture) appeal to one person, but not another. And that's fine, and as it should be, since we all are different individuals with different knowledge and preferences.

But...the principles of value, color harmony and contrast are just that...identifiable principles.

There's an old saying in art and architecture, "if you want to break the rules, you first have to know them!"

For example, anytime and anywhere that a light value and a dark value are juxtaposed adjacent to one another there will be a very strong visual contrast created. And that means that one's eye will be drawn to that location and held there by the strong visual contrast.

This is the reason why strongly contrasting garage doors, which are already the single largest architectural element on the façade of a single-family residence, will be a visual "eye magnet".

So...paint your garage doors any color you want...just be aware of the consequences of your choice. Every choice has a consequence. So make it the one you prefer.

Good luck!

One other thing - the garage door is like THE EASIEST surface on the whole house to paint. So do it twice! Or three times! See which is best for you.

On my old house I had a dark door. But the heat from the morning sun warped it! I didnt think thst was possible. Anyway, I ended up somewhere in the middle, probably to the consternation of the architectural review committee.

I agree Virgil. Every choice has consequences, but those aren't necessarily bad, and 'bad' or 'good' is still subjective. I think most people on here have an idea of what they want, and they are more looking for ways to make what they want look the best it can. Not necessarily make the best look of all design.

And I'm not disagreeing that there are principles of color or design. I agree that one color may highlight a different house feature than another color option. But what the person wants to emphasize can be different. I also stand by the fact that other circumstances, such as the architecture or landscape can affect the result. It's not all about the color rules. It's about what someone wants the end result to look and feel like.

I am curious though, if a house has both gray and white paint colors, and the garage is painted either gray or white, how is it really considered "contrasting"? To me, a contrasting color would be something totally different-red, yellow. Gray or white would be coordinating, and each emphasize something different.

Thank you, Virgil.

I am not suggesting either "bad" or "good".

I am simply suggesting that contrast is one inevitable consequence of a color choice for a garage door...or any other architectural feature.

What makes a garage door so critical in a residence is it's size--it's always the single largest and most visible architectural element on the façade of a house.

As for contrast...there are a wide range of definitions and possible methods for achieving contrast: value, color, intensity and temperature, just to name four. Of these, value contrast is widely considered to be the strongest method for creating contrast. Thus a light/dark combination of painted elements will always create very strong contrast wherever it may be located.

Actually, the biggest difference in the garage door Beth posted is about $6,000.

I initially wanted a wood garage door, but the price of one made that decision for me.

Unlike Bunny Mellon, many nowadays don't like "faux" finishes but we went with wood-look steel garage doors to break up the large expanse of green siding, with a similar color value to the siding; we live on a farm in rural western Canada where winters get down to -40 and hail storms are common in summer so have a three-car (okay, three-truck) garage for the five us, and the garage is between the two-story house and two-story workshop with granny suite above. The price was reasonable and the quality very good.

I really don't believe there is a correct answer.

There's rarely one correct answer, but there do tend to be better answers and many of those come with supportive reasons, which is often more useful to posters, especially those who are new, than "you do you". I agree with PPF that here, and elsewhere, it's often an "it depends" question. One thing I've found frustrating especially of late is the complete lack of supporting information from OPs when posting their queries. They either don't supply any, or give it only late in the discussion and only after it's had to be teased out of them, bit by bit. It's hard to think of any design question that isn't affected by context -- location, climate, local/vernacular styles, quality of the natural light, budget, and so much more.

Then make a decision and don't ask anyone their opinion ever again.

For anyone who's at all interested in design and has already developed a good sense of style and a good eye, as tara seems to from a quick look at her ideabooks, I'd say the thing to do is to start educating yourself, whether it's reading through the GardenWeb archives, looking at pictures on Pinterest, finding designers you like and looking at their work to figure out what makes certain elements successful, etc; many designers like Tom Scheerer and Mark Sikes have websites or books where you can get a better look at their projects. You can definitely cultivate a good eye and that's something that's very helpful going forward for someone building a house who might have interior design/decorating questions coming up when the build is finished.

Architects commenting on derogatory adjectives being used in a post is comical. Pot calling kettle black much...

Alison...you lost me here. I went back a month or so and reviewed my posts and couldn't find anything I thought derogatory. If I missed something please let me know which post you are referring to. I try to make a point of framing my advise in a helpful and constructive way.

Personal preference & lately there's a dark garage door trend (which I personally as a designer, do not like at all unless it makes sense in a rare case). 100% depends on your unique home. Renderings are everything :)

justwantapool 6K if you want the real wood doors. Or, you can get the wood look. I have two on my home. less than 2500, if I remember correctly. And there is always a faux wood-look paint treatment. a s killed artisan could do it for you for less than new faux doors.

I say po-tay-toe and you say po-tot-toe...let's call the whole thing off!

Equally important but mostly forgotten is the color on the other side(inside) of the garage door. Remember, every door has two sides, and you will see the inside of the door more than the outside.

That aside, the outside of the garage door should be the same color as the doors and windows on the rest of the house, if the doors and windows are the same color.

Elin, you will get more comments if you post a new, separate thread.

"...any ideas for garage doors color?..."

Same as above--there's no difference in the response, simply based on different colors of the front door and trim.

If you want to accentuate your garage door, create a strong contrast with the rest of your house and call every visitor's attention to your garage door, make the garage door a color and value which is highly contrasting with your siding color and value.

The siding in your two photos of your front doors shows a middle value gray colored siding. For a very high, attention grabing contrast the garage door could either be white or black. Both will create a high contrast with the siding and ensure everyone sees the garage door before anything else.

On the other hand, if your house wasn't built to create a setting for your garage door, and you would like to downplay the garage door, and call attention to other architectural features of your house, then paint the garage door a color and value similar to the siding on your house.

If you are stil indecisive, someone will be along soon to point out that it's your house and you should just do what you want to do and like best! After all...it's your house.

Good luck on your project.

Can anyone tell me which is whiter a standard white or Glacier white she it comes to garage doors. That glacier looks whiter but keep reading it has off white in it.