Front Door Makeover and My Favorite Coastal Blue Paint Colors

Modern Coastal Front Door Aesthetic

Let’s talk about one of the most transformative, yet often overlooked elements of home design: the front door. Most people know that landscaping and curb appeal help to create a home’s first impression, but the front door is the gateway from the outside world to your sanctuary, so why not create a sense of calming coastal charm inspired by the blue skies and seas?

 

Think light, airy spaces infused with natural textures, subtle seaside motifs, and a color palette inspired by the ocean and sandy shores. Modern coastal style is all about creating a relaxed, breezy atmosphere that invites tranquility and serenity into your home and I think incorporating the color blue perfectly encompasses all of the above.

 

Select the Perfect Blue Color

Now, onto the fun part: choosing the perfect blue paint color for your front door. Blue is often associated with serenity and tranquility and it also has a cooling effect, both visually and psychologically. It can make a room feel cooler and more refreshing, which is why it’s frequently used in warmer climate homes.

 

Here are a few tips to help you narrow down your options:

• Consider Your Home’s Exterior: Take a look at the exterior of your home and consider the existing color palette. Opt for a blue shade that complements the surrounding elements while still making a statement.

 

• Take Inspiration from Nature: Draw inspiration from the colors you find in nature – the sky, the ocean, and coastal landscapes. Soft, muted blues evoke a sense of calmness, while deeper shades add a touch of drama and sophistication.

 

• Sample, Sample, Sample: Don’t be afraid to test out different paint samples on your front door before making a final decision. Paint colors can look different under various lighting conditions, so it’s crucial to see how they appear in natural light throughout the day. I am a huge fan of the company, Samplize, because they offer large peel & stick paint samples that are 100% color accurate and can be delivered overnight.

 

 

 

My Favorite Coastal Blues

 

I’ve curated a collection of my favorite coastal blue paint colors that I sampled for my front door.

BM Smoke, BM Santorini Blue, SW Hinting Blue

BM Blue Heather, BM Brittany Blue, BM Britannia Blue

 

• Smoke (Benjamin Moore):

  LRV: 56, A best-selling versatile medium gray softened with attractive blue-green undertones.

 

Source: Pinterest

• Santorini Blue (Benjamin Moore):

  LRV: 44, As refreshing as it is cool, this sophisticated blue features a touch of gray.

Source: Benjamin Moore

 

• Hinting Blue (Sherwin Williams):

  LRV: 68, A classic light blue. It has the feel of a pale sky and adds an airy feeling to any room.

Source: Home Edit

 

• Blue Heather (Benjamin Moore):

  LRV: 50, A pearly gray that shows glints of blue and violet.

Source: Kate Knowles Home

 

• Brittany Blue (Benjamin Moore):

  LRV: 61, This gentle sky blue with a light gray undertone is soft, airy and calming.

Source: Pinterest

 

 

• Britannia Blue (Benjamin Moore):

  LRV: 18, A moody shade of blue enriched by a dark touch of gray.

Source: Decorpad

 

Bring Your Vision to Life – How to Paint a Door 

Once you’ve selected the perfect blue paint color, it’s time to bring your vision to life. Prep your front door by cleaning and sanding it to create a smooth surface for painting. Remove any hardware or accessories, and protect surrounding areas with painter’s tape.

To reduce visible paint strokes, paint your front door in a particular order based on the recessed areas first and the raised areas last. The photo below, created by Life with Emily, shows you which area to paint, step-by-step, starting with the number 1 and ending with number 10. If you have a wood door, be sure to paint in the same direction as the wood grain.

Photo Source: Life With Emily

 

Apply thin, even coats of paint, allowing ample drying time between each layer. For best results, use a high-quality exterior paint specifically formulated for doors and trim.

 

The color I ultimately decided on for my front door was Benjamin Moore’s Smoke. It is such a beautiful color in real life.

 

 

Add A Finishing Touch

The color I ultimately decided on for my front door was Benjamin Moore’s Smoke. Don’t forget to add finishing touches like new hardware, a stylish doormat, and potted plants to complete the coastal look. I added a brass shell door knocker and to scalloped entryway mirror complete the look & I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out!

 

And to show you just how accurate Samplize paint samples are, here is the rectangle-shaped adhesive backed swatch placed inside the recessed portion of my painted door. You can hardly see it because the color is a perfect match!