Your Entry: Mad About Red
A Red Front Door Bids You Welcome, Good Luck and Happiness
A few years ago, shortly after the addition of a front porch, I had to make the tough decision regarding what color to paint my front door. I drove around through neighborhoods with houses similar to my own before settling on the color, red. It was a bold step but I loved how it looked.
Have you considered painting your front door red? If so, you're in good company. Red doors have been a popular choice through the ages. They are rich in meaning and long on history. Here are some tips to guide in your decision to go for the red.
Have you considered painting your front door red? If so, you're in good company. Red doors have been a popular choice through the ages. They are rich in meaning and long on history. Here are some tips to guide in your decision to go for the red.
Red is a natural for the front door because in almost every culture, red means "welcome."
Dutch doors are already whimsical in nature, so a bright cheerful red fits perfectly with the style of this split door.
There's been a renewed interest in recent years for the Dutch door. You can see more wonderful examples of this style door in the Ideabook,
If you love the idea of a red door but want something even more original, consider adding pattern atop your red door. The designer of this door gave it satin coat of coral and then applied the design with gloss white.
In Ireland, a red door is thought to ward off ghosts or evil spirits.
Through history red doors have held great meaning in some religions. The red door symbolized that the ground beyond the door was holy and sacred, a sanctuary from any evil...both spiritual and physical.
Through history red doors have held great meaning in some religions. The red door symbolized that the ground beyond the door was holy and sacred, a sanctuary from any evil...both spiritual and physical.
In Feng Shui, a red door symbolizes the mouth of the home. By painting your door a bright color, "chi" or positive energy, will be drawn into your home.
In early America, a red door was always a sign of welcome to the passing horse and buggy traveler. Some say a red door was a sign of a safe house on the Underground Railroad.
In Scotland, a red door often proclaimed the happy news that the mortgage was paid off.
Red doors look great on all kinds of homes, from traditional to more contemporary, from brick homes to those clad in siding or stucco. The color red works well with many colors, like yellow, green, blue, black or white.
In China, it is a tradition to paint the front door red just before the New Year. It is believed to invite good luck and happiness into your home. With a new year waiting in the wings, maybe now is the perfect time to go for that red door you've been contemplating.
A few great reds to consider when painting a front door: Benjamin Moore's "Cottage Red" or Ralph Lauren's "Dressage Red." For a more subdued red, take a look at Benjamin Moore's "Bricktone Red" or Ralph Lauren's "Hunting Coat Red."
In case you're wondering, the red I finally decided on for my own front door was a vibrant red by Benjamin Moore called "Heritage Red."
In case you're wondering, the red I finally decided on for my own front door was a vibrant red by Benjamin Moore called "Heritage Red."