I have this awesome new All Seasons Wreath, but my door looks a bit rough compared to my new wreath. We had an incident a few years ago with a pressure washer and accidentally removed the stain in spots from the door. We’ve talked about fixing it but never got around to doing it. When I hung my new wreath, I said, “today is the day. This door is getting a facelift!” If you’re interested in some tips and tricks (or just want to see how bad my door looked), keep reading!.

Selecting the Right Paint for Your Door

There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to painting. If you live in a strict HOA like I do, you’ll want to check out the rules first. You don’t want to go through all the trouble of painting your door Kelly Green only to get a nasty gram, possibly a fine, and have to paint it all over again.

Second, find out what material the door is made of. My front door is made of wood, so I chose a wood-compatible one. Select a paint specifically designed for the material of your door to ensure long-lasting results.

The next thing to keep in mind is the finish. Finishes with a gloss hold up better against the elements. I love a matte finish, but I want this to last as long as possible!

When considering a new paint color, it’s important to consider your home’s overall look and feel. My home is a more traditional style home, with white trim and (faded) black accents. So I opted for a classic, glossy black. If your home is more modern (and your HOA allows it), you can get away with a brighter hue like red or yellow.

I chose the Sherwin Williams High-Gloss Black Water Base Interior/Exterior Door and Trim Paint from Lowes. I also picked up this inexpensive foam roller for Cabinets and Doors to make sure it would be applied properly. I’m not an affiliate, I don’t get paid for this; I’m just letting you know what I used.

Preparing and Painting

Removing the door is optional, but it will at least need to be open while painting and drying if you leave it in place. I only painted the front, not the entire door, so I left it in place. I don’t have an additional screen door or storm door, so I had to wait until the weather was mild. Most paints recommend 50-70 degree temps for optimal drying. To get a professional finish, the door must be prepared appropriately.

• Start by protecting the surrounding area. Use tape, drop cloths, cardboard boxes, and/or plastic to ensure any drips or overzealous brush strokes don’t ruin the wall, floor, window, trim, etc. Even if you’re removing your door, make sure to protect the floor/ground underneath from drips.
• Remove hardware from the door, such as the doorknob, knocker, and/or hinges. This will make painting easier and will also prevent the hardware from getting paint on it.
• Tape off any areas that can’t be removed, such as windows, hinges, and trim around the door.
• Use a wire brush or sandpaper to rough up the door’s surface. This will help the paint adhere better. Wipe down the door after sanding with a damp rag to remove dust and debris. Allow to dry completely before painting.
• Once the door is prepped, it’s finally time to start painting! Follow the directions for the paint you’ve selected. My paint is dry to the touch in 2 hours, but I couldn’t apply my second coat for 4 hours. At least 2 coats are recommended.
• When the paint has dried according to the directions, rehang your door (if removed), reattach any hardware, clean up your work area, and step back to admire your handiwork!

Helpful Tips for Painting

Any Surface, Not Just Your Front Door

Put the tools and any hardware you take off in a box or bowl that you can keep near where you’re working. This way, they’re readily available when the paint is dry, and you don’t have to try and track down the screws!

Wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting paint on. You might think, “I’m just painting the door; it’s not that big of a deal.” I always end up with paint on me, whether it’s splatter from having too much paint on the roller, dripping paint on myself, or getting sprayed when I hammer the lid back on the paint can. I always end up with paint on my person somewhere.

Wear shoes you can easily slip off. Drips happen when painting; sometimes, we step in them. If you wear shoes that you can just kick off, they can be left on the drop cloth when you need a bathroom break, taking brushes/rollers to the sink for cleaning, or refilling the paint (if you’ve left it in the garage…*sigh).

Put your brushes/rollers in plastic baggies and cover your paint tray with plastic wrap. I hate cleaning brushes, rollers, and the paint tray, so I wait until I’m done with even the touch-ups before I clean anything. Keeping them sealed in plastic between coats will prevent everything from drying out and can pick up where you left off.

Do the edge/trim work first. I like to get the little details knocked out first, like the tight corners, trim, and edges, so I can whip out the rest of the painting with my roller. I don’t have to be as careful with the roller because I’ve created a nicer buffer between the corner/edge and the rest of the painting area.

Remove the tape before the paint has fully dried to avoid ripping the paint. If you missed that window, don’t worry, gently run a razor blade along the edge of the tape to cut away the paint.

Adding Character and Making it Pop

In addition to paint, there are a few other ways to spruce up your front door. If you have a window in your front door, paint the trim a contrasting color for a little more spice. Consider adding new hardware, such as a knocker or an interesting doorknob. Just be sure to check that your new door knob fits in the holes of the previous one!

My super fancy All Seasons Wreath will really make your front door pop with its bold colors, especially if you have a boring HOA.

Check back next month for more how-tos on decorating your entryway!