It can be intimidating to paint. It’s messy and can take a long time, especially if you need to use ladders or paint multiple rooms. But it can be really rewarding too! You can show off your personality through colors and I love having the little memory of, “Remember when we painted this….” Recently I painted my front door—and I love it! It was the perfect little weekend project. Here are my top 5 painting tips.
1. Take your time choosing the perfect color. If you can, take a few paint swatches home and tape them up to the door or wall you plan to paint. See how the colors look with the surrounding area. Think about how this color will look through the seasons. I choose a bold yellow for my front door because I wanted a bright accent to my otherwise neutral/wooden home.
2. Choose the perfect finish. Most paints come in flat (sometimes called matte), satin, semi gloss and high-gloss. For my door I choose semi gloss. I usually prefer flat because I like how it doesn’t reflect light. But for a front door semi gloss or high-gloss is a better option because it can be cleaned more easily. 
3. Prep the area you plan to paint. For me this included giving my front door a good wipe down. You don’t want to paint over dust or debris because it will leave bumps in your paint. When painting a dark surface to a lighter color (like a dark brown to yellow) it is a good idea to first paint on a layer of primer. I forgot to buy primer. Oops. No biggie, an extra coat of paint did the trick for me.
4. Tape everything and watch your floors! Tape around edges and hardware. I choose to leave my door on its hinges as I painted. You could choose to take your door off, but be sure to hang up a thick cloth to keep flies out as much as you can as you paint. This is also why it’s a good idea to complete a front door paint job in the spring or autumn months; you don’t want your door open or off it’s hinges during months of super hot or cold weather. And be sure to cover your floors with newspaper or drop cloths as you work, especially if you have carpet. Painting can be messy but if you prepare then you can easily keep the mess under control and keep clean up time to a minimum.
5. Order pizza. This is essential for DIY painting projects, no matter how large or small. And you are absolutely required to order pizza if you have friends who are kind enough to help. Pizza + painting = a good time!
Side note: To paint the frame or not? I choose to paint the frame/trim around my front door because I loved the idea of making the color pop and I felt committed to my color choice. But you can totally choose to not paint the frame, making the door color a little bit subtler and it will feel a little more a part of the house. Just a preference choice—don’t be afraid to do what you want! xo. Emma
Hi Emma and Elsie,
I've been reading your blog for over a year now in Ireland. Congratulations on the new design, it looks great and I'm looking forward to reading your everyday blogs too. Amy
Posted by: Amy | June 30, 2012 at 02:34 PM
Once I own a place where I can actually paint the door I'm definitely going to paint it a bright color like this. It reminds me of the doors in Ireland. Love it!
Posted by: Jamie Rose | June 30, 2012 at 02:43 PM
I love your yellow door. How fun is that? I have found that using Behr Paint and Primer cuts down on time by covering former paint well.
Posted by: Laura | June 30, 2012 at 02:49 PM
Ooh, such a lovely, bright colour!
Pip x
Posted by: Pip | June 30, 2012 at 02:49 PM
I have always wanted an apple green front door..! Love this yellow one too though. :-)
Posted by: tinajo | June 30, 2012 at 02:57 PM
i love how you included to order pizza for the friends that help. i think that too is important when you have friends help you with anything. show them, thank you and that you do appreciate their time & kindess :) :)
i love this yellow and love the idea that you painted the frame :)
Posted by: jeanyous | June 30, 2012 at 02:59 PM
You did it?! you're really brave. I'd never paint my front door, I'd think it's too difficult
Posted by: Julia | June 30, 2012 at 03:00 PM
I just wanted to say that I love this blog even more now with the new changes that have been made. You guys rock.
Posted by: Emily | June 30, 2012 at 03:07 PM
Great tutorial — and love the yellow! I painted our front door the week we moved in, it completely changed the look of our home.
Posted by: Christie @ EyesOnSparrow | June 30, 2012 at 03:28 PM
looks awesome, great tips too! #5 is my favorite..essential to any home project really haha i'll be tackling this soon!
Posted by: Krystle | June 30, 2012 at 03:31 PM
LOVE the yellow. http://rachyracheshobbycorner.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Rachel Nicole | June 30, 2012 at 03:37 PM
It looks so much better that way! Nice color choice.
Posted by: Naomi A | June 30, 2012 at 03:48 PM
This looks SO GOOD! I love a bright colorful door and yellow is a great choice!
xo, Michelle
http://neonrattail.blogspot.com
Posted by: Michelle | June 30, 2012 at 04:08 PM
Nice tips and what a great result!
Posted by: Eva | June 30, 2012 at 04:23 PM
Painting my front door red is on my to-do list! :)
Posted by: Elizabeth | June 30, 2012 at 04:28 PM
That yellow door looks amazing! Love it!
Posted by: Lauren | June 30, 2012 at 04:31 PM
Great color choice with your dark wood! I painted mine a nice pistachio color, and I love it. Painting is definitely a pain, but so worth the hassle!
Posted by: candace | June 30, 2012 at 05:02 PM
It looks amazing in yellow!
http://stainsofpaint.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Viveca Johansen | June 30, 2012 at 05:13 PM
One of our favorites has to pepperoni and pineapple. So good! The only thing about painting a door I have found, you will have to go back in about a year or so and touch up spots especially around the door handle. Wear and Tear!
Posted by: Leigh Ann | June 30, 2012 at 05:20 PM
Looks wonderful! Yellow is such a cheerful color. :)
http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com/
Posted by: shannon | June 30, 2012 at 05:29 PM