The Best And Worst Front Door Color Choices For Red Brick Houses

When it comes to curb appeal, a home's front door color can make or break that coveted first impression. This is especially true for red brick houses, where the bold, rich color of the brickwork means the front door needs to pop to attract attention.

But not all colors complement the striking look of red brick. While some shades create an inviting entryway that enhances your home's style, others can clash, fade into the background, or look downright gaudy.

If you're looking to paint your red brick house's front door, consider both the best and worst color options. An informed choice can take your home's exterior from drab to fab!

Factors To Consider When Choosing a Front Door Color

Selecting the perfect front door color involves evaluating how it fits in with the rest of your home's exterior. Here are some of the most important factors to keep in mind:

Complementing the Existing Brick

You want your front door to stand out, but not at the expense of clashing with the red brick walls. The color should look cohesive and avoid creating a jarring, mismatched aesthetic.

Colors on the cooler end of the spectrum like blues, greens, grays, and purples tend to complement red brick nicely. Warm neutrals like browns, tans, and beiges can also blend well.

On the other hand, bright, warm colors like orange, yellow, or pink often conflict with red brick instead of complementing it.

Contrast and Visibility

For maximum curb appeal, you want the front door to immediately catch the eye. Colors that contrast strongly with the red brick help the entrance pop.

White or other very light colors create striking contrast against dark brick. Black or very dark colors also boldly stand out. Bright, vivid shades naturally draw the eye as well.

Avoid colors too similar to the brick, as they will fade into the background instead of defining the entryway.

House Style and Overall Aesthetic

Consider your home's architecture and design elements when selecting a front door color. Is your house traditional, modern, farmhouse, Victorian? The door color should align with the overall style.

For example, a navy blue door suits traditional homes well. Gray or teal may complement more contemporary houses. Farmhouses often feature red, green, or black doors.

You want a cohesive look, so choose a color that enhances (rather than fights against) your home's existing aesthetic.

Personal Style and Taste

While coordinating with the rest of the exterior is important, your front door also lets you express your personal taste through color.

Think about your favorite hues and color combinations that reflect your style. Just be sure they pair attractively with red brick. Your front door makes a statement!

The Best Front Door Colors for Red Brick Houses

When paired thoughtfully, these front door colors do wonders for a red brick exterior. They attract attention, add character, and boost your home's curb appeal.

Classic and Timeless: Navy Blue

Few colors complement red brick as flawlessly as navy blue. This dark, cool tone provides the perfect crisp contrast against warm, red walls. It packs visual impact without overwhelming the brickwork.

Navy has an elegance that enhances traditional architecture. But it also pairs well with more modern brick houses, giving them a stylish boost. This versatility makes navy a top choice.

The only downside is that navy shows dirt easily. And depending on your location, the color may fade in the sun over time. Overall though, it remains a classic front door color that rarely goes out of style.

Tried-and-True: Red

You can't go wrong matching your front door to the existing red brick. This cohesive look has stood the test of time. Red makes for a classic, foolproof choice.

For a more unique twist, go for different red hues like burgundy or terracotta. These deeper, richer shades complement the brick while adding extra visual interest.

An all-red exterior does limit your possibilities for contrast. But red doors are also low maintenance and always in fashion. It's one of the most popular front door colors for good reason.

Crisp and Bright: White

For maximum contrast against dark red brick, a white front door can't be beat. This clean, bright color makes your entryway pop and proves an eye-catching focal point.

White creates a light, welcoming look. Against more traditional homes, it provides an appealing contemporary contrast. It pairs well with any landscaping colors too.

The one big downside of white is upkeep. Dirt and staining show easily, so expect to touch up the paint frequently. But for optimal visibility, white doors shine.

Soft and Inviting: Gray

For a more subtle yet stylish contrast, shades of gray beautifully complement red brick walls. The mix of cool and warm tones is naturally pleasing.

Gray creates an upscale, sophisticated look on traditional homes. But painted in lighter hues like greige or taupe, it also suits more contemporary brick houses.

Since gray blends nicely with other colors, it pairs attractively with all sorts of landscaping too. And its neutrality allows you to experiment with brighter accents.

Vintage Character: Black

Looking for serious drama and elegance? A black front door against red brick delivers in spades. This moody, eye-catching combo evokes vintage charm.

Black doors work especially well on historical homes with traditional architecture. The classic look never goes out of style.

As an intense, darker color, black stands out beautifully but doesn't fight the brickwork. For homeowners seeking something bold yet refined, black is an ideal choice.

Additional Top Colors

Beyond the most popular shades above, other front door colors can also complement red brick beautifully when done right. Some top options include:

• Rich greens like forest, emerald, or sage
• Earthy browns like chocolate, espresso, or chestnut
• Crisp shades of blue and purple like cobalt or eggplant
• Pops of brightness like yellow, teal, or orange for an accent door

Darker, deeper tones tend to pair best with traditional red brick. But vibrant shades can add an energizing splash of color to more modern homes.

Colors to Avoid with Red Brick Exteriors

On the other side of the color wheel, these front door shades tend to clash or underwhelm against rich red brick.

Clashing Shades: Orange, Pink

Vibrant warm colors like orange and pink clash with red brick more often than complementing it. Together, these hot tones compete for attention instead of blending attractively.

Orange can look especially dated or tacky when paired with traditional red brick. And pink often gives off a childish, sugary sweet vibe. Proceed with caution using these colors.

Dull and Bland: Beige

On the opposite end of the spectrum, beige front doors fade into red brick walls instead of contrasting stylishly. The house's entrance gets washed out instead of being defined.

Light beiges can work on very light colored brick homes. But against rich, dark red, they fail to attract the eye or make an impression. Your home's curb appeal suffers as a result.

Too Harsh: Neon and Bright Hues

Speaking of making impressions, ultra-bright neon or fluorescent front door colors often overwhelm red brick instead of complementing it.

These loud shades sometimes fight against (instead of working with) traditional architecture. And on subdued modern brick homes, such intense colors can stick out like a sore thumb.

Vibrant hues have their place, but restraint is advised when paired with red brick. They can create an imbalanced, jarring look.

When choosing a front door color for your red brick home, aim for an attractive, cohesive look. The door should catch the eye without clashing. Colors with inherent versatility or vintage appeal are always solid choices.

Trust the enduring popularity of timeless hues like navy, black, red, gray, and white - you really can't go wrong. More vivid colors can work, but tread carefully and test them out first.

Most importantly, select a shade that reflects your personal taste and the overall style of your home. With the right door color choice, your curb appeal and first impression will take a notable turn for the better!