Home » The Benefits of a Red Front Door (+ painting tutorial)

The Benefits of a Red Front Door (+ painting tutorial)

Do you know red doors have a special meaning in different cultures and throughout history? I didn’t. We recently painted our front door bright red, fuschia, and orange and ever since, our guests have commented how smart we are. “Oh, thank you!” I replied…then I immediately Googled “red door meaning.” I found a lot of great info!

This was our door before, it has been teal for years and needed a serious refresh.

I chose red as the primary color because I wanted a stark contrast, something lively. I wanted to feel excited when I entered our home. And that’s exactly what a red door does best! I researched online to find a wealth of info. After reading this, you might just want to paint a red front door too!

Red door meaning in history

Red doors date back as far as Exodus 12 when it was believed God made a pact with the Israelites to protect their first-born males from the angel of death during the Jewish Passover. To date, many churches have red doors to signify protection from evil spirits. I remember this from watching The Ten Commandments every Saturday night before Easter!

During early American times, a red door served as a welcome message for horse and buggy travelers who needed a rest. And during the Civil War, red doors were used for safe houses in the Underground Railroad to show they were a place of refuge for escaped slaves to find safety.

And during the 1930s, many American families used red front doors as a way to tell door-to-door salesmen they weren’t interested. Hey, maybe that will work for us too!

Red door meaning in other cultures

When you see a red front door in India, it likely means it’s the home of newlyweds or the first home of a married couple.

A red front door represents a mortgage that is paid off, this comes from Scotland. I hope for this one soon!

A red door is also believed to bring good luck in Asian cultures. In China, the color means fortune, and many families paint a fresh coat each year to keep that energy fresh and bright.

My favorite? Feng Shui. A bold color such a red attracts abundance and opportunity.

Alright, I’m going to add a new one to the list and see if it makes the historical rounds.

Red door meaning for me!

To me, a red front door means PASSION and LOVE.

Passion that runs through our blood, pumping life and new energy each and every day. Love as the foundation of what a home should bring to our lives. You enter and you know you can relax and release yourself from the day’s pressures. The pink adds softness to take the edge off and the orange/yellow represent the sun and the warmth it brings to our lives.

OK, how did I do? Did I pull that off? Actually, I really love that meaning. I think it’s great to add intention to every decision we make, even down to choosing a paint color.

I used paints from Sherwin Willians (I painted my door as a project for their Spanish language blog, you can see it here!). I loved these paints because they already had the primer, so we didn’t even need to coat the door before we added these colors.

SUPPLIES:

Emerald Interior Acrylic Latex Paint, Real Red 6868

Emerald Interior Acrylic Latex Paint, Dynamo 6841

Emerald Interior Acrylic Latex Paint, Carnival 6892

Brush – Purdy XL Cub

Brush – Purdy Pro-Extra Glide

Shurtape Specialty Grade Outdoor Stucco Duct Tape – PC 667

Husky Plastic Drop Cloth

Oilcloth

Permanent spray adhesive

Pinking shears

DIRECTIONS:

Wash the door and door frame and let dry. Remove any nails and use spackle to fills holes.

Line your work area with the drop cloth, open the lids from the cans of paint and stir.

Tape off the edges all around where you are going to paint.

Start with applying one coat on the door frame, then the inner door frame.

Paint the door real red, one coat, then let dry and add another.

Our door has grooves on the front, so I painted those Carnival and the trim Dynamo. Let dry and remove tape.

 

Once the door is evenly covered, measure and cut pieces of oilcloth. Use spray adhesive to press into place where you want them.

I used oilcloth for now to add a pop of color, but I plan to paint my own flowers someday soon.

TIPS:

Keep damp cloths nearby for easy cleanup of edges.

For smaller areas, use craft brushes.

The process moves faster when you apply a coat, let it dry, then another.

By no means am I done with this door. I plan to next add some detailed painted designs. I just haven’t decided yet. But I put together a Pinterest board to save my ideas!

Painted front doors

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera at The Heard Museum

You’ll love this sweet & spicy mole popcorn recipe!

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6 thoughts on “The Benefits of a Red Front Door (+ painting tutorial)”

  1. Love this! Love your door, and love the interesting global history! You do a wonderful job of bringing us life and sparkle, even when we’re down in the dumps!
    I’m an artist here in Omaha Nebraska, and I read all your posts!

    Reply
  2. I love doors, they’re colors, they’re stories Also, Red is my favorite color❤️ Thank you Kathy for sharing with us, I love the info, your stories but the happiness you bring to all of us????????Blessings amiga????

    Reply
  3. I love the red on your door! I also love anything that has to do with Mexican design. But, I have also noticed that other cultures also design their doors. I have seen elderly ladies design their own art and it seems like Mexican shirt design of flowers. Check the once I have on Pinterest, nelly balderas under Mexico.

    Reply

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