First impression, that’s what your front door does for your home. “Welcome come on in,” is a way your front door speaks. I was ready for a new look for my entry and decided to paint the front door. We have had a red front door for eight years and I was ready for a change. Here are directions on how to paint your front door. I did it one day this summer. (see sand bucket list update)

1. Select your paint. When shopping for paint color consider the look from the outside of your house. What looks good with your brick, outside paint, siding. or trim paint? Choose a durable outdoor paint, your door is exposed to the elements of weather.

2.  Remove hardware if desired. I didn’t. When I painted around the hardware, I used a small brush and took my time to be careful.

3 . Clean and sand the door to rough up the existing paint so that the new paint will adhere better. I cleaned the door with an all-purpose cleaner. Then I used a fine grit sandpaper. Make sure you sand in all the grooves. Wipe clean with a damp cloth or tacky cheese cloth.

4. Put down a drop cloth to catch any drips and drops.

5. Paint – I painted the insets first. You can start at the top and paint your way down. Your brush strokes should go with the grain of the wood.

6. I painted the door on both sides. You may only want to paint the exterior side of the door. My door was white inside the house. I wanted a pop of color to be seen from inside the home as well.

7. Let the paint dry the recommended time as stated on the paint can. Paint a second coat, possibly a third. I knew that this project would take all day to allow for the repeated paint and dry cycle. I made sure I planned not to leave the house, since I couldn’t close the front door while the paint was still wet.

I choose Sea Blue. What  color will you chose to welcome friends into your home?