Let’s Talk Brick

The Best Door Colours To Complement Brick Houses

 

When it comes to a British home’s exterior, the typical style is usually composed of brick, and it’s one of those looks that enhances deep-rooted character and a sense of history – especially in old houses. That’s why it’s so important, and difficult, to pick the perfect door colour to complement the aesthetic. We’ve put together our top tips to help you choose the right one for your home’s exterior.

With so many colours to choose from, deciding on a single shade for your front door can be a challenge. Follow these simple steps for choosing a bespoke front door colour that brings out the beauty in your brick house.

 

Top Tips

1. Stay True To Classic Neutrals

While a bold and vivid paint colour is a great opportunity for artistic expression, and a chance to get creative, it’s often simpler to stick to a classic neutral palette that will stand the test of time. Opt for greys, browns and taupes to pair nicely with brick tones, and complement your home’s natural beauty and brickwork, rather than distracting from it. and enhance some serious curb appeal.

2. Work With Nature

Even though you may be opting for a neutral door colour, you can use natural greenery to your advantage in order to create hues of colour. Deep greens, blues, and earthy browns all work a treat when it comes to door paint, and works well with the natural tones of the brick to tie it all together.

3. Test Your Theories

If a few different colour variations have caught your eye, and you’re having a hard time deciding on a shade – take a walk. Make mental notes about the similar style and colour combinations used by neighbours and other streets in your area. And, once inspired, try out a few different colours before settling for one. We all know too well that a shade of paint on a mobile phone or computer screen doesn’t quite honour the way dry paint looks in natural sunlight. Experiment and test your theories against the brick before deciding on your next colour.

 

Our Recommendations

1. Colours for Red Brick

The good thing about red brick is that nearly every neutral door colour you could choose would compliment it beautifully. Typically though, dark and contrasting hues make a stunning choice. Whether it’s a deep hunter green, navy blue or black, when coupled with a lighter colour trim, it really pops from the red brick without overwhelming that classic British style. For more subtle tones, rich taupes and chocolate browns also work really well alongside the natural red tones of the brick.

2. Colours for Grey Brick

For both traditional and more modern builds across London, you’ll notice that grey brick can be a common variable. So, when it comes to door colour, it can be tricky to choose the right tone. Sure, darker or lighter greys will complement the brick well, but how much grey is too much grey? To avoid creating a wash-out of grey tones, aim for a subtle touch of colour to work alongside it, allowing the colour of the door to contrast with the natural tones of the brick. We recommend black, navy blues, olive greens, or for lovers of the more bold and vibrant, why not try turquoise or pastel pinks?

3. Colours for White Brick

Although less common than your red and grey brick tones, white brick also creeps up every now and again. And even though you could say ‘white works with anything’, it’s easy to create a washed-out look with the wrong shades. A jet black could be too much of a contrast, while bright vivid colours could be blinding to the eye. Having said that, white-washed brick facades have a multitude of attractive London front door options, but you should opt for muted colours. Think warm greys, pastel blues/greens, natural earthy browns etc.

 

Selecting a pleasing colour palette for brick homes can be tricky, but warm neutral colours, when coupled with the right trim options, can make for a calming entrance with character.

5 Stunning Dark Front Door Colours to Inspire You to Go Bold

You don’t need to go bright and colourful to be bold. In fact, if brighter tones aren’t your style, why not consider a more sophisticated statement with classic blacks, navy blues, greys, or rich and natural wood tones? It’s the perfect solution if you’re looking to create a look that offers a little more moodiness and charm, and not to mention, a richly toned dark hue painted on your home’s front door makes for a very polished and classy look.

To help you modernise your facade with a stylish new bespoke front door colour, we thought we’d compile 5 of our favourite colours for creating a striking and timeless design for your home. It’s proof that you don’t need to go bright to go bold, or to give your home an entirely new look.

Black

Think about that little black dress, but instead, flaunt it on your home’s exterior. There is not a single colour combination more versatile than a classic polished black. This beautiful high-impact basic of a colour works great with almost any exterior materials, whether it’s coupled with white brick, red brick, wood tones, panels and more. We just love how it creates a dramatic curb appeal, drawing eyes in as they pass by.

Dark Grey

You can’t go wrong with grey, and especially a darker and deeper grey tone, because it creates such a sophisticated and timeless look. It’s also a versatile choice as it suits more traditional and period properties as well as modern designs – and it’s also an all-year-round favourite, creating wonderful winter vibes later in the year, while beautifully complemented with lights and greenery throughout the summer.

Olive Green

A darker green tone like olive green is a saviour of style and class when it comes to a home’s exterior, preventing it from fading away into the background. Allow it to pop with white trims and other elements to complement to complete the aesthetic – and use these tricks to your advantage throughout both summer and winter months.

Maroon

An all-round win-win, a beautiful maroon paint makes for a flashy colour without the overwhelming brightness of other red tones. When surrounded by a light trim colour and complementing window frames and accents, a maroon door will create a distinguishing look to the exterior of your home, and drum up some serious curb appeal.

Navy

A crowd-favourite, navy blue always makes a striking addition to the front exterior of your home. A lovely muted navy immediately draws eyes to that delicate hue of colour, without creating too much of a ‘serious’ look. Not to mention, it works well with endless exterior designs and materials.

Choosing the right door colour can make all the difference, transforming a basic home exterior to a striking entranceway and focal point. Play around with deep and rich dark-coloured tones, and add a pop of colour with the symmetrical placement of planters, lighting, and hardware to give your home a balanced, eye-catching appeal.

Bespoke In: Green

In the spring, green is a top favourite amongst the designers and craftsmen at Bespoke Front Door. We just love how a green door can boast a warm welcome, as well as calm and collected vibes. In fact, green is often recommended to homeowners who are trying to enhance curb appeal in order to sell their home, resulting in an increased demand for green.

 

Having been a popular choice since the Victorian period, if you’re planning to do just one thing to enhance your home’s attractiveness, investing in a bespoke front door finished in a shade of green could be an inspired move.

 

First of all, consider the shade of green and have a think about what tone would complement the age and style of your home’s architecture and surroundings. If you’re not sure which shade of green to paint your bespoke wooden doors, our designers will be happy to help.

 

We love…

Natural Sage

Softer shades like a natural sage or mint green are great choices for the exterior of Georgia and Victorian homes, contrasting beautifully with classic brickwork or white plasterwork. You can enhance the colour even further by incorporating some natural greenery to the surroundings of your door. Think potted plants, foliage or hanging baskets.

Dark Racing Greens

This was a classic choice back in the 18th and 19th century, making it a traditional and iconic design that is still commonly used in and around London today. It makes a lush and powerful statement to any period home, especially when complemented with timeless polished brass door furniture, or even chrome fittings if you’re looking for a more contemporary edge.

Muted and Pastel Greens

One of our favourite shades would have to be pastel shades of green. It’s subtle, elegant and also enhances positive vibes for your home. The gentle shades of muted greens work beautifully against traditional red brickwork and also makes a smart companion for stained glass door panels.

Olive Greens

Rich, grounded and glamorous. Olive tones are a superb choice for London townhouses in need of a more substantial and sophisticated look – especially when contrasted against iconic black and white porch tiles. Again, polished brass door furniture is a timeless choice, but chrome fittings also provide a clean and more modern appearance.

Handpainted

All of our Bespoke front doors are handcrafted and manufactured from strong and durable, hard-wearing timber that is guaranteed for at least ten years. We use Accoya® for these properties, renowned for its longevity and durability.

 

After the design concept,  but before each project leaves our workshop, our designers professionally and flawlessly apply your chosen paint colour by hand, ensuring no brush strokes or drip marks. The combination of the timber we use and paint we apply makes for a finished door that will withstand wear, tear and the elements. When the paintwork is of such good quality, a quick wipe with a damp cloth is all the care needed to ensure your door remains ‘evergreen’.

The Parts of Your House You Definitely Want to Check After Winter

The winters and snow are not fans of your house. Both of them can do some serious damage to your house. Harsh winters can affect all kinds of buildings apart from humans and animals. The cold wind is a source of precipitation which can cause water sources to freeze, and put a strain on your house. As unforgiving as winters are, they can bring a world of trouble for you when they finally end.

There are several problems caused by winters, mainly to the foundation of the house, roofs, etc.

Here are some parts of your house that may be potentially damaged by the cold and should definitely be checked out.

The Foundation

The foundation of the house is the most important part of the house because it is what your house rests on. A strong foundation means a strong house. However, the cold breeze of winter can cause some serious damage to foundations which could ultimately turn your house into a hazard.

Winters can freeze the soil under your house, making it extremely hard instead of soft and supportive. This freezing of soil can cause irreparable damage to the foundation of your house if left unattended. Hairline fractures in the concrete can develop into cracks, causing structural issues which could next affect the walls of the house

Therefore, it is best to hire a professional to check for frost heave, and if found, attend to it timely.

The Pipes

The piping of your house is also an integral part that needs to be regularly checked, especially during and after winters.

Low temperatures can cause water to freeze quickly, especially drainage systems. When this happens, the incoming flow of water increases in pressure and puts a strain on the pipes. This additional pressure and force significantly increase the chances of the bursting of pipes. What’s more, the pipes themselves can freeze up or break due to the cold. Hence, it is a must to check the whole discharge system for any damage at the hands of winter.

Front doors

All kinds of doors, be it interior or exterior, are damaged by winter. However, the front doors bear the brunt of the harsh winters, especially in London.

London front doors bear the brunt of nature’s harshest breeze and cold. If not protected, the cold winds or moisture-laden fog can cause period front doors to contract as well as crack. What’s more, Victorian front doors can absorb rain and precipitation and be damaged internally which is why your front doors need the proper protection to handle everything nature throws at you.

The Roof

Roofs face a greater threat than front doors during the winter season. They face the harshest challenges in the form of wind, rain and the cold. The harsh winters can do a lot of damage, cause cracks as well as weaken the structure of the house as well as absorb drizzle and precipitation. Hence, it is important to protect your ceilings to the utmost.

Bespoke In: Pink

With an endless spectrum of colours to choose from, it’s one of the hardest decisions to make throughout your bespoke front door project.

We believe that every home is completely unique, and so each door should represent your home’s true character and personality. The best way to do this is with a paint job.

This year, more customers than ever before are making statements of style with pastel shades – especially pink – and we love it! Our pink Victorian front doors have seen unprecedented levels of demand and the colour – in all of its hues – is perfect for adding instant curb appeal.

Pretty In Pink

With pink having a major moment in interior design, it seems to have ventured to the exterior of our homes too. And why not? Pink is a versatile and fresh choice compared to neutral colours and does wonders to bringing a tired-looking home to life again.

There are, however, many shades of pink to choose from. It’s especially important to get the right shade of pink to perfectly capture the overall mood and style of your home. Popular choices are dusty, pastel and baby pinks as opposed to hot pinks or bubblegum pinks, but each one can beautifully complement features such as white pilasters, the greenery that frames an entrance and original monochrome tiling – a popular feature on pathways and doorsteps of Victorian homes.

Of course, pink in all its forms has many positive associations, signifying creativity, love, and passion. By using this playful colour on your front door, it adds personality and panache, boosting your homes curb appeal and makes stepping inside all the more inviting.

Shades We Love

1. Powder Pink

This beautiful pastel shade brings serious curb appeal to many stylish Victorian properties across London. The blush shade has a soothing finish and is the perfect accompaniment to warmer whites and polished chrome fittings.

2. Raspberry Seriously Ripples

A deeper shade with more rich undertones, raspberry pink offers a bold and moody vibe to any front door. If you’re looking for a sophisticated and luxurious finish to offer timeless style that will be envied by all guests and neighbours, consider letting raspberry ripple.

3. Candy Pink

This deep dusky pink is playful and creative, beautifully complementing vivid greenery and brickwork perfectly. We especially love this shade on classic Victorian properties, especially when contrasting with tiled porches and entrance walkways.

4. Coral Pink

The latest trend in… pretty much everything. Coral Pink is a fresh and eye-catching shade that complements any property style beautifully. It’s also a great choice for springtime which will soon be upon us, as it contrasts perfectly with natural greenery and foliage. It’s time to get those hanging baskets up and out.

Like what you see? Pink is a relatively easy colour to work with, but before you take the plunge, imagine your home in all seasons and consider the overall look in the area you live. It’s great to stand out, but worse to look amiss.

 

Feng Shui

Feng Shui translates to ‘Wind and Water’, and it is the art of studying both flow and energy within an environment – particularly home spaces. This historical Chinese art adheres to a system of laws or rules that enables you to harness spiritual energy known as ‘Chi’. The idea of Feng Shui brings about a balance and harmony between individuals and their surroundings, injecting happiness, peace and success into our lives.

 

Successful Feng Shui depends on the consideration of the placement of different objects, colours and light. Therefore, the right front door and layout of a doorway can be insanely impactful to set the tone and mood for your entire home.

Is there front door ‘energy’?

Being the first thing and the last thing you and your visitors experience at your home means first impressions are made here. This is where the majority of how energy flows and enters. Your front door must feel welcoming, full of personality, but also be practical for everyday use.

 

Step outside your door, analyse what feels inviting and what doesn’t. Make the necessary changes to make your entrance a warm and welcoming greeting for guests. Maybe it’s time for a repaint, or a spruce up with some potted plants or foliage?

 

Create good chi with some simple Feng Shui principles…

 

1. Clear the Clutter

 

Both your front porch and hallway should be much more than just an in-between space. It’s the first and last area you and your guests see when visiting your home. Unclutter by removing items that don’t belong there. Are there shoes scattered around the door? Coats slung over stair railings? Combat the clutter by creating a balance between style and practicality, utilise unused space and add simple built-in cupboards to place coats and shoes inside, clearing areas like this stops energy stagnating. It’s important to have a clear path through to your door to allow an unobstructed flow into your home.

 

2. Connect with Nature

 

Beautifully potted shrubs and zen planting instantly draw in natural energy, allowing your home to feel integrated with nature. Opt for money plants, palms, bamboo or vibrant blooms that will create a sense of peace and bliss.

3. The Door

 

Consider the way your door opens. Doors that open inwards promote good chi as opposed to doors that open outwards. It invites positive energy in rather than pushing it out. It also makes guests feel more welcomed into your home.

 

As well as the look of the door itself, consider a door that fits with the period of your property – taking into consideration the dimensions, strength and usability. The colour and quality of your bespoke front door also attracts positive energy and should work in harmony with its surroundings. Browns and greens are typically the colour of nature and money while red is the colour of prosperity.

4. Light

 

Light is a major player when it comes to the manifestation of energy. If you’re limited with light in your hallway, you should seriously consider including glass panelling like fanlights or sidelights with your bespoke front door design.

 

When it comes to design, make use of mirrors by allowing them to bounce the natural light and create the feeling of more open enlarged areas.

Security is Everything

Your home is your safe place, and so security is everything. Therefore, while you want your front door to look good, it’s also vital to ensure your home is secure enough to keep intruders out.

 

As the nights darken, burglaries are undoubtedly at their highest, and so it’s the perfect time to invest in more door security. Whether it’s new state-of-the-art locks or some porch lighting, we can provide our best advice for peace of mind for all year round.

 

Consider…

 

1. What is your door made of?

You can have a locking system as tough as Fort Knox, but if your door isn’t made of quality hardwood, or is old and rotting in places, it will still be relatively easy for intruders to break in.

Our front doors are made from Accoya® – a natural and sustainable timber that is known for its impeccable strength and durability. It’s the perfect choice for a front door. Also, if your bespoke front door consists of glazing or fanlights, you should consider the strength. You can opt for internal kick plates to be built in to ensure potential burglars have a hard time kicking in the panels.

2. Are your windows secure?

Ensure all of your windows are locked at night, or if you leave the house. This seems like common sense, but it’s incredibly common to leave a window open at night during hot summer months when cooler air is much to be desired. This creates an easy opportunity for intruders. Also, ensure you leave keys in a place they aren’t on show through windows or doors. By making them easily accessible, you are providing potential burglars with an easy task.

3. Are you easily alarmed?

The sight of a burglar alarm or CCTV will deter intruders before they even try to enter your home. In fact, opportunist crime can be significantly reduced if good security systems are in place, with the majority of intruders looking for an easy target. Don’t be that easy target! Install a quality alarm system that would alert yourself, or neighbours if you should not be at home.

 

4. Let there be light

Not only can great lighting be a stylish quality to your front door, illuminating your front walkway on darker evenings, it’s also super practical for helping you find your keys in the dark – and also deterring criminals! If you’re looking for a cheaper option to high-quality CCTV or alarms, motion-detector lighting is a great way of alerting you of even the slightest movement outside and scaring away unwanted visitors.

 

5. State of the Art Locks

Last, but certainly not least, you’ll want a decent locking system for your London front door. When it comes to something as basic and must-have as this, there is little point in cutting corners. Top of the range locks from manufacturers of the UK’s most cutting-edge systems incorporates many additional security options such as spy holes, door chains and bars.

 

At Bespoke Front Door, our expert designers will always advise you on the best one for you.

Complementing Traditional Period Door Features Part 2 – Our Services

If you live in a period home, it’s likely that you flaunt a traditional period front door to match – and there’s no better way to maintain and respect the elegance of your home’s architectural charm. If your period front door is an original, chances are it isn’t as secure as doors you see around the block today.

In part two, we’ll look at how you can upgrade your existing door with some modern-day features and still keep the authentic character within your home.

Choosing the Perfect Door Colour

There’s no limit to the colour possibilities available to us today, so when it comes to painting your new period door, you might find yourself overwhelmed by choice. However, it’s always a good idea to revert to tradition. Historically, black and red were popular choices for Georgian front doors, while grey is more common for more contemporary front doors.

It’s important to decide on a paint colour that perfectly suits both your home and your own personal taste. Consider the exterior of your home and the colours you want to highlight and enhance. Is it the tiling on the porch, or the colourful stained glass panels? Maybe you want to turn the focus to some of the greenery around your Edwardian home, in which case, elegant matt shades could be appropriate such as blacks, navy blues or greys.

Our team of designers can aid in choosing the right colour for your door, showcasing our range of shades and palettes. Then, during the construction of your door, our professional craftsmen will paint the perfect seamless coating, making for long-lasting protection from the elements as well as a true enhancement of style.

Deciding on Door Furniture

If you’ve figured out the style and the colour of your new front-door-to-be, you’ll also want to consider new door furniture, including handles, letterboxes, knockers, door numbers and more. Our expert designers are available to help and advise as to what style would best suit your new period front door. Modern doors look great with polished chrome or nickel accessories, whereas Georgian properties look an absolute masterpiece with burnished or polished brass, especially with more intricate detailing.

Considering Glazing

From Georgian homes to the 1930s, to even contemporary doors produced today, bespoke doors often boast some form of glazing, whether it’s in the door itself or from a fanlight/sidelight. Thinking back over a hundred years, we must remember that electric lighting wasn’t prevalent in homes until the 20th century, so natural daylight was an absolute must for dark hallways and corridors.

With our bespoke services, you can choose from a range of beautifully stained glass designs, whether you’re looking for simple and elegant, or something more authentic and intricate. When it comes to incorporating modern features, our team can advise on options for strengthened and frosted glass that enhances both security and privacy for your home, as well as enhancing existing characteristics like surrounding windows, shapes and other detailing.

Get in touch to discuss a free no-obligation visit at a time that’s convenient for you. You’ll be able to see first-hand the many design options available, providing you with plenty of design possibilities to inspire your front door project.

 

Bespoke In: Blue

Your front door is an opportunity to show off your personality, and if you’re looking to enhance curb appeal as well as your own personal creative tastes, it could be something as simple as a new coat of paint. And, when it comes to picking out a new colour for your bespoke front door, blue is a timeless shade and a classic that works in harmony with any property type – the perfect style for all year round.

With blue comes a huge variety of shades to choose from navy blue, pastel blues, duck egg blue and more classic blues like this year’s Pantone Colour of the Year. Finding the perfect shade is just a matter of deciding on the kind of mood you want to create.

And, when it comes to creating a mood, different shades have a knack for enhancing different vibes. Did you know that the colour blue is often associated with calmness, intelligence and peace? Of course, different shades have different qualities. If you mean to create a serene and friendly feel, then light earthy powdered blues are a popular choice. If it’s a grounded, prosperous and strong look you want to achieve, then navy and classic blues are the ones for you.

Navy Blue

Navy is a strong choice for Georgian and Victorian properties, being a shade of colour that never goes out of style. It has a way of producing a striking and powerful mood, especially when combined with stylish chrome door furniture and elegant glazing. With a navy blue, you can really create a sophisticated look to be envied by your neighbours.

Cornflower Blue

Lively and creative, cornflower blue is a refreshing choice for your front door and works beautifully of classic four-panel and six-panel doors, adding an unexpected but stylish burst of colour. Powder blues have a way of making a home feel inviting and welcoming, and looks amazing alongside pristine white stone façades and black and white tiling, giving them an instant lift. Enhance the character even further with warm polished brass door furniture.

Calm and Collected

Contemporary homes with a linear flat frontage or classic Victorian terraces look superb with pastel shades for a front door colour. It’s a perfect choice for those who are colour shy or prefer a more subtle look. More serene shades of blue like duck egg or baby blue can really lift the characteristics of your home with a fresh and friendly look. These colours look amazing combined with chrome door furniture alongside some opaque glazing or sidelights.

Painted by Hand

Once you have decided on your colour, all of our bespoke front doors are hand-painted by professionals to help you make the perfect first impression for your home. We truly believe that the perfectly finished door makes a home, offering timeless style for years to come.

Get in touch for a free no-obligation visit at a time that’s convenient for you. We can talk you through your options and provide you with plenty of case studies and past projects to inspire.

Complementing Traditional Period Door Features Part 1 – The History

If you live in a period home, it’s likely that you flaunt a traditional period front door to match – and there’s no better way to maintain and respect the elegance of your home’s architectural charm. If your period front door is an original, chances are it isn’t as secure as doors you see around the block today. But did you know, you can upgrade your existing door with some modern-day features and still keep the authentic character within your home?

Let’s look at the history at some of these doors, starting with the Georgian era, all the way to the 1930s. In part two, we’ll look at how our services can help preserve the history and style of your home.

Georgian Homes

Built during the 18th century, Georgian homes are super easy to identify as they often boast a classic symmetrical look with flat-fronted facades. You’ll also notice that the front door is usually positioned centrally with a window on both sides.

Georgian doors themselves were large, durable and often quite stately-looking. Often you’ll see them painted in a rich glossy coat of darker but bold colours. Think blacks, reds and greens – complemented with classy brass door furniture.

At Bespoke Front Door, we are skilled in handcrafting and recreating Georgian door designs to recreate the original character of your home.

Victorian Homes

Built during the 19th century, most Victorian properties boast large bay windows on the ground floors, reflecting a gothic architectural style.

Traditionally, a Victorian front door would showcase a homeowners wealth and stature in the community via elaborate front door designs. These would often be enhanced with eye-catching stained glass panels and sidelights, as well as colourful porches, doorsteps and tiling. The Victorian period created curb appeal, it seems. It’s easy to see why so many homes in and around London aim to recreate Victorian builds, touching on their classic poise and timeless style.

Edwardian Homes

Built within the decade of 1900-1910, Edwardian homes often portrayed a square-fronted villa style, beautifully decorated with small front gardens and foliage around the door. As well as this, stained glass panels were also a main feature because glass was now cheaper to manufacture than previous years, opening up a whole new style of front door to be used for years and years to follow.

1930s Homes

Built during the 1930s, of course, there was an overall rise in homeownership during the war, and therefore the building of new homes. Typically, these houses are semi-detached with a single large window on one side of the door. Again, glasswork was on the rise but took a more artistic turn with art deco designs e.g. classic sunburst glass panels. Throughout years after, the art deco designs flourished and we can still see some more modern details in period front doors from this era that are making a serious revival in bespoke doors today.

Read part two to see how our services at Bespoke Front Door can help you preserve your home’s overall character and history.