While you may be considering painting your front door red for a variety of reasons, including your favourite colour, a change, wanting your home to stand out on the street, or simply wanting to decorate the exterior of your home, the colour red has some connotations that you should learn about before purchasing the paint.
The History, Tradition & Symbolism Of The Red Door
To a wide range of cultures, the red door has varied meanings and origins.
A red door has long been associated with death protection, dating back to Biblical times. For the first Passover, Israelites were reported to have formed a pact with God in Exodus 12. To receive protection for their household, they should sacrifice a lamb. They should smear the lamb’s blood to prove they have performed the sacrifice.
A red door can also have different implications depending on where it is:
- A red front door has historical importance in America, indicating that visitors are welcome at homes with a painted door. Travellers were invited to stop and eat, and during the Civil War, fugitive slaves might spot a red door as an indication of a safe place on the Underground Railroad. More recently, the colour has been associated with a lack of interest in cold calls.
- Red is a colour associated with good fortune in Chinese culture.
- The colour red is connected with positive energy in Feng Shui.
- In Scotland, homeowners who have paid off their mortgage paint their doors Red. It’s a flash of crimson to indicate that they’ve paid off their debts.
- The red front door is associated with many things in Irish culture. Red doors were a gesture of defiance when Queen Victoria ordered them to paint their doors black. Folklore symbolism is also present, with some believing that a red front door wards off evil spirits and ghosts. There’s also a joke that crimson front doors make houses easy to spot when people are inebriated.
Why Paint Your Front Door Red?
A red front door has a long history of positive connotations in various cultures. The presence of a red front door denotes:
- Safety
- Refuge
- Energy
- Protection
- Pride
- Love
- Luck
- Warmth
- Welcomeness
There aren’t many colours connected with so many beneficial factors, whether you realised it at the time of painting your door or have yet to do so. What better colour to paint your front door than white? If some of the beliefs prove to be true, you may find yourself in an extremely lucky situation.
You may also choose to paint your entrance door crimson for stylistic reasons. Red is a striking contrast colour that will make your home stand out, especially if you have red brickwork.
If you’re looking for a front door colour, red is a good choice, but we’ve included some additional common front door colours below in case red isn’t your style.
You may also choose to paint your entrance door crimson for stylistic reasons. Red is a striking contrast colour that will make your home stand out, especially if you have red brickwork.
If you’re looking for a front door colour, red is a good choice, but we’ve included some additional common front door colours below in case red isn’t your style.
Front Door Colours & Their Meanings
A red front door has a long history of positive connotations in various cultures. The presence of a red front door denotes:
- Blue is associated with peace and tranquility. It’s also a popular door choice for white-washed houses and coastal retreats.
- Black denotes solemnity, as well as sophistication and money. Black is a versatile colour that complements a wide range of property kinds.
- White, like black, is a versatile color that complements a wide range of structures. It represents purity and tranquility, but it is also the most difficult to maintain clean.
- Grey is a popular front door color right now. It is connected with delicacy and refinement.
- Green is a soothing color that conveys environmental awareness. Lime green is a daring color to wear and makes quite a fashion statement.