What does the colour of your front door signify about you? I thought I would look at the importance of your door – it’s the first thing visitors see and should create a feeling of welcome. If you are trying to sell your property, the colour of your door adds to ‘curb appeal’ and gives a good first impression. Whether you live in a cottage, a townhouse or modern villa, a beautifully painted front door can go a long way in creating a home that’s the envy of passers-by.

I took a look at colour choices for doors and came up with some surprising backgrounds.

Red

Red is a colour of significance in Chinese culture as it symbolises luck, and in Feng Shui, the colour red is associated with positive energy. In America a red front door means people are welcome and was a symbolic sign to travellers that they would be welcome to rest and have a meal. During the Civil War, runaway slaves would also see a red door as a sign of a safe house.

In Scotland, homeowners paint their doors red to show they have paid off their mortgage – a beacon of red to show they are out of the red with their loans! Irish culture has many known associations with the red front door - when Queen Victoria ordered them to paint their doors black, red doors were a sign of rebellion. There is also folklore symbolism with belief that a red front door warns off evil spirits and ghosts. It could mean you are a born entertainer who loves to open your door to surprise visitors and partygoers. There is also a joke that red front doors make homes easily identifiable for people when drunk!

Dating back to Biblical times a red door was symbolic of protection against death, and many churches have red doors to signify this. Some churches also have red doors as symbolism for Christ’s blood and the sacrifice he made, and a red front door is associated with safety and sanctuary.

Yellow

This colour conjures up positivity and happiness, and there are many shades that allow you to add a bold contemporary twist to any authentic door design. Choosing a yellow door says you're an optimist, and your bubbly personality might be reflected in fun pops of colour throughout the interior of your home.

Blue

Some Amish homes have blue doors, with rumours claiming that it means a daughter is available to be wed, but the Amish representatives unanimously deny this and say instead that it merely relates to tradition and customs.

Blue represented water, and apparently spirits can't traverse water and people would paint the ceilings, the window trim and the doors blue to keep spirits away. A blue front door may also symbolise prosperity and abundance, and the darker you go the more a blue door can project a sense of tranquillity, peace and elegance.

Black

A black front door tells the world that you are quite serious in your outlook on life, it says sophistication and wealth.

Black absorbs, attracts, and brings in positive energy, which makes it one of the best feng shui front door colours. Black is connected to the water element, which symbolises depth and wisdom. (I wonder where No 10 fits in here).

Green

Traditionally, a green front door reflects wealth, health, and safety, and not surprisingly, a green door works well on traditional-style homes. If you’re the solid-citizen type with a confident nature, a deep, dark green may appeal to you. And if you prefer adventure and the great outdoors, a brighter, bolder green could be the perfect choice.

White

Universally, white is associated with cleanliness. A white entry could mean a simple but organised interior design. If you like things neat, this neutral could send the right message about you.

Wood

The neutrality of wood conveys warmth and stability. However, a dark stain supposedly expresses a hint of privacy or a desire for seclusion.

There are no doubt many other colours that could be added to the list, and fashions will influence choices too. At the end of the day, your personal preference will be the one that works.

Author

Marilyn writes regularly for The Portugal News, and has lived in the Algarve for some years. A dog-lover, she has lived in Ireland, UK, Bermuda and the Isle of Man. 

Marilyn Sheridan