We’re not sure how many of you are knee-deep in turkey preparations (yikes), but we love a good group brainstorming session — and Wendy could use your help. She’s ready to tackle an exterior update and is eager for ideas (and then the after photos!). Here’s her letter:
I’ve been a YHL reader since house #1 and I’m so excited that you’ve started this group advice feature! I have a problem I hope you and your readers can help with. We’ve lived in our home for about four years, and the front needs a major paint job. It’s a two-story brick house, and the trim is peeling and in desperate need of repainting, but we keep putting it off because we can’t figure out the color! I’m not a fan of the off-white color, and our style is not particularly traditional, though that is the style of the house. We have an HOA so we can’t go too crazy, but I’d like to inject some fun color somehow to give it more appeal and personality. Maybe a bright front door?
The thing that has me tripped up is that our brick is more orange than red. I’d love to hear what colors might work with that for our door, shutters, and trim. I have great fantasies of one day painting the brick, but for now I would love some advice for working with it as-is. Thanks! – Wendy (and Mike, Lucas, and Jackson)
After studying Wendy’s photo, I took it into Photoshop and explored a few directions. Below are the concepts I tried and the reasoning behind each one.
Option 1: Crisp white trim and glossy red door
- Paint the existing off-white trim a true white to give the house a crisper, cleaner look without upsetting the overall character of the home.
- Add a glossy red front door. Even though the brick leans orange, a saturated red door can create contrast that actually downplays the brick’s orangey tone. A high-gloss finish in a classic red works as a bold, friendly focal point.
- Plant seasonal red bulbs or tulips to echo the door color and add curb appeal without changing permanent features.
- Install substantial porch lanterns on either side of the door for visual weight and balance.
- Use potted plants and topiaries to frame the entrance and bring soft texture and height.
- Add a script house number above the portico for a charming, custom feel.
- Paint the porch steps a neutral mocha tone to neutralize the reddish hue on the top step and create a grounded entry.
Option 2: Deep navy door and charcoal shutters
- Choose a rich navy for the door (colors like Regatta or Hale Navy) for a refined, modern look that contrasts nicely with orange-toned brick.
- Paint shutters a deep charcoal-navy a few shades darker than the door so they read as deep and moody without appearing purely black.
- Keep the trim white for crisp contrast.
- Add simple, classic house numbers centered above the portico and matching lanterns for cohesion.
- Use matching planters and hanging baskets to soften the stacked brick facade with greenery and flowers.
Option 3: Fresh spring green door and white shutters
- Try white shutters paired with white trim for a bright, airy frame.
- Pick a lively spring green for the door (a tone like Lemon Grass can be surprisingly versatile). Because the neighborhood has so much surrounding greenery, a green door often feels natural rather than out of place.
- Bring back the lanterns and add topiaries and climbing greenery to the porch columns to create vertical interest and soften the brick.
- Hang the address above the door in a script style for a personalized touch.
- Again, keep porch steps a neutral mocha to balance the overall palette.
Additional ideas and details
- Consider a glossy plum door with dark charcoal shutters for a rich, sophisticated statement.
- A robin’s egg blue door with navy shutters and white trim can feel fresh and coastal without being literal.
- Add window boxes beneath the front windows to introduce seasonal color and texture.
- Look for an interesting vintage doorknocker and a quality doorknob to add character and tactile appeal.
For a lighter moment, Clara suggested purple bushes and blue bricks — definitely playful, if not quite HOA-approved. Her imagination is delightful, and it shows how many creative directions the front could take.
Which direction do you prefer? Team Red, Team Navy, Team Green — or something else entirely? Wendy would love your votes and suggestions. If you want to try ideas in Photoshop or with swatches in person, hold them up to the brick to see how they play together in real light.
Psst — If you’ve got a tricky spot in your home that needs advice, send at least three photos of the space, a quick sketch of the floor plan, and a short description of the dilemma to [email protected].