The Top Five Best Shades Of Yellow For Your Front Door

In our last two articles, we looked at the top five best shades of both blue and red paint for your bespoke front door, so you could choose the perfect tone for your house to make it as aesthetically pleasing and welcoming as possible. But what if blue or red aren’t exactly the colours for you, regardless of what shade you use? Well, maybe yellow will suit your London front door and make your house look beautiful. In this blog, let’s take a look at our top five favourite shades of yellow that are just absolutely stunning for front doors, and we’ll give you a few ideas of when each shade is ideal for use. We hope this blog can help you pick the perfect paint colour for your front door so you can make your neighbours jealous!

1. Yellowcake

The yellowcake shade of yellow is extremely bright and positive, and really suits your house on sunny days when there is a little shade but mostly bright light. It reflects light incredibly and adds a really upbeat and welcoming appearance to the outside of your house. Although it has an old timey feel and would suit a forties house, it still looks stunning today and you can absolutely get away with coating your bespoke front door in it!

2. Classic Yellow

Just because it has classic in the name doesn’t mean you can definitely get away with this shade of yellow, but depending on the appearance and exterior of your house, it can compliment your architecture and design features very well. It’s quite a strong shade of yellow and in its purest form it’s likely to create a ghastly appearance if paired with some more dull colours – however, if your house has a lot of vibrant classic colours, then the classic yellow shade might just be perfect for it!

3. Lemon

The lemon door shade of yellow is not so common, but it is really gorgeous and when paired with some attractive exterior house colours it can look very fabulous and add a welcoming, friendly feel to the outside of your house. It’s been used in a lot of Mediterranean style homes and can look pretty decent in the sunlight. You might want to be careful pairing it with some stronger colour tones, such as classic red, because depending on where your colours are distributed on the exterior of your house they can clash pretty badly. We recommend searching up some great examples of houses with lemon yellow front doors to see if your house’s design is suited for this shade.

4. Pineapple

If you are going for a darker shade of orange, then pineapple might be a good choice for your bespoke front door. In fact, the pineapple shade of yellow actually looks fruity, so if you have a house with playful or positive looking architecture, then it might be a good paint choice for your front door. It is quite out there but it has been pulled off very well for so many different kinds of houses and depending on your architecture and the outside colours of your house, it can look really nice all year round.

5. Canary

Canary is a brighter, less vibrant tone of yellow which can go really well with white colours and some simple house architecture. It doesn’t stand out too much or get in your face, but it’s pleasant, relaxed and very appealing!

Best Shades of Red for your Front Door

The colour red is symbolic of royalty and majesty, and also love and friendliness. If you’re painting your bespoke front door, you should seriously consider choosing a shade of red as your colour. Painting your day red can make your house seem bold and respectable, and depending on the shade you pick, welcoming and friendly. In this blog article, we’ll look at our top five favourite shades of red to paint your period front door in! We hope this article will help you pick a great colour for your front door.

1. Umbria Red

If you’re looking for a shade of red that is bold but not overwhelming or ghastly, and adds a positive, homely aspect to the exterior side of your house, then umbria red might be the perfect paint choice for you. If you have a wooden exterior house or white outside, then the pleasant red shade will contrast nicely and add a great aesthetic to your house! Umbria red is a wine colour and reflects royalty, but it won’t overwhelm visitors to your house and isn’t too in your face, like some other shades of red can be. It’s a readily available red paint, but it can get a little costly, so pick wisely.

2. Tile Red

Instead of Umbria Red, you might want a stronger, richer and more vintage shade of red to paint your front door in. If this sounds like you, Tile Red is a great candidate for your front door. Its benefits are that it has a pleasant appearance and goes very well along with a beautiful garden or natural house exterior, and because it doesn’t contrast so strongly with the outside of your house, it won’t be quite as bold as Umbria Red. We recommend it for any house with a lot of greenery!

3. Terracotta Red

For front door painters aiming to achieve a more Mediterranean feel for their house, or a shade of red that can compliment an offwhite, slightly orange house exterior, then the Terracotta Red is a fantastic choice. It has a classic and vintage feel, while also being a timeless choice for a front door. It looks especially fabulous in the sunshine and any visitor to your house will feel very welcome upon their arrival!

4. Heritage Red

If the dimmer colours of red aren’t really for you but you still want that classic feel with a strong, bold aspect, then heritage red is likely to be the perfect shade of red for you. Heritage Red is designed to be a patriotic American colour and as a result it is very popular in the United States as a front door paint. It’s great in the summer months, but also has an appealing aesthetic when autumn and winter roll around.

5. Chinese Red

Perhaps you want a shade of red that feels very welcoming and dense in culture, a colour that can nicely compliment a vibrant household that incorporates a range of other tones. If so, a bold red like Chinese Red might be a good choice for you. It stands out and is very glossy, and if you’ve ever been to China or really any Asian country, you’ll see how commonly used this shade is over there. It’s a fabulous choice if your home is daring and flashy. We hope this article has helped you pick out a nice shade of red for your front door. Maybe after reading through our favourite tones of red, you have decided that it isn’t the colour for you. Then, you may be interested in our other articles, like this one we wrote about the best blue front door colours.

Five Beautiful and Trendy Front Door Types

So you’re looking for a way to spruce up your house. And what’s the centrepiece, the most eye-catching part of the outside of your house? We’re willing to bet it’s the front door. Sadly, many people don’t care about their front doors and don’t bother to give them the attention and maintenance they need. In this blog post, we’re going to look at five of our favourite beautiful and trendy door types you should consider if you’re looking to outcompete your neighbours – or if you’re just looking for inspiration.

Solid Wood Door

An absolute classic. The solid wood door is humble but aesthetically appealing, and will provide your house with almost guaranteed security. An added bonus is that wooden doors are fantastic at holding in heat, as wood is an outstanding insulator – so, if your house needs a little extra warmth during those chilly months, a wooden door might be a good choice for you. It looks fresh and natural, and can be crafted from a variety of types of wood. The downsides of a solid wooden door is that it requires quite a bit of maintenance and upkeep.

Steel Door

Another basic but brilliant choice, the simple steel door is ultra-secure and very strong, protecting your house effectively. Steel doors don’t require so much maintenance as wooden doors as they are damaged less easily, and they’ll be even more insulating as they usually come with an inner insulating layer to keep the warmth inside. However, the disadvantage is that you don’t get that lovely wooden door feel.

Glass Door

If you want your house to have a brighter aesthetic, or if glass matches the colour scheme of your house’s outside, then a glass door is probably a good choice for you! Glass doors let in a fantastic amount of light, keeping your hallway lit up and welcoming to visitors. With a glass door you can customize it in a huge variety of ways, from changing the colour to the tone to the frames, and much more. You can find out more about glass doors here.

Glass Panelled Doors

Want a little bit more privacy than a completely glass front door, but still want to let the sun’s rays into your house? If that sounds like you, maybe a glass panelled door is right for your house. Glass paneled doors have the advantage of better privacy while letting light and warmth in, but insulate the house at night. They have decent security and a nice midpoint in the amount of maintenance and care you’ll have to put in to keep your door in good fashion and looking amazing.

Double Door

Ah, the spacey feel! If you want to show off the size of your house and welcome lots of visitors into your home, then a double door is likely the best pick for you. Double doors are an umbrella term for a wide range of doors, from wide to steel to glass. Of course, they’re a bit more on the pricey side, but you’ll get fantastic insulation, good lighting if you go for glass, and overall just an outstanding feel to your door. Depending on what you choose, the maintenance for your new London front door might be little or lots. Double doors are usually designed to be not so demanding, but most people like caring for their doors so they stay looking amazing. Your neighbours will be jealous!

How to repaint a worn wooden door

The Basics

A quick and easy way to revive a worn-down exterior door is by repainting it, and often this can be done with minimal preparation and without breaking the bank. Repainting your door can spruce it up and make the exterior of your house feel like home again. Improving and repainting your house’s front door can be finished in one day, with the bulk of the work completed in a single afternoon. In this blog article, we’ll show you the simple steps you should follow to get the perfect possible coating for your door, and how to do it quickly and efficiently.

Colour

Depending on your house’s location and style, the ideal colour for your bespoke front door can vary greatly, and it’s important to take some time to decide upon the perfect colour for you. While a bright, clean white can work with nearly every home and makes your house look beautiful and well-maintained, you might like a different tone or colour which matches the architecture and period of your house. Doing some basic research on door colours online can give you a good idea of a few great colour options for you!

Equipment and Preparing the Door

You’ll need some very basic and highly accessible equipment to get started with repainting your Victorian front door, and you might already have some of it at home if you’ve done something similar before. As well as wood paint for exterior surfaces in your chosen colour, and the crucial paint brush, you’ll need masking tape to protect areas you don’t want paint to touch, medium-grade sandpaper to prep the door, a roller and a tray, a cloth, and a flat-bladed scraper. To make removing the original coat easier, you can invest in chemical paint stripper.

Safety! Make sure to wear protective gloves, goggles and a mask if you’re dealing with dangerous paint.

When you’re preparing your door for repainting, you don’t have to remove all of the original coat right down to the timber. Instead, use medium grit sandpaper to scrape away a light amount of paint from the door. Be sure to rub in the direction of the wood grains. This will help the new layers of paint easily stick to the door and last longer. If you have chemical paint stripper, carefully but thoroughly cover the whole surface of the door with the stripper and ensure it seeps into any nooks and crannies. Again, this will ensure the old coat is removed effectively. When the stripper starts to bubble up, you know it is doing its job properly!

After leaving the door to rest for the recommended time on the package of the paint stripper, clean your flat-bladed scraper and cautiously scrape away layers of the original coat. Once the old paint has been removed fairly and equally across the door, neutralise the stripper by watering the door or using white spirit (this depends on the chemical stripper you used).

Use sandpaper held around a sanding block to erode away any thick areas of old paint and leave your door looking almost unpainted.

Applying the Paint

Painting your front door with your chosen colour is very simple, but getting the colour spread perfect across the entire surface can take just a little bit of time, so you should follow the steps closely to ensure you get the best coating.

Before applying any paint, give it a strong, thorough stir in order to mix up and fairly distribute the pigments in the paint, so that you won’t have any darker or lighter, or thicker or thinner, patches of coating on your door.

Once the paint has been all stirred up, don’t stall long before beginning the actual painting process. It’s recommended that you envision several imaginary “boundaries” on the surface of your door. Six or eight rectangular areas work best, and you should work on one at a top. Start from the top so that any tiny droplets of paint that run down don’t ruin any painting work you’ve already finished.

To get the blend right, paint carefully and lightly in the same direction as the wood grains and try to use an even coating on your brush each time. Go for equally lengthed strokes and try to blend each strip of paint into the one before it. Blend the patches into each other while the paint is wet so they have time to combine and cancel out any differences in pigmentation.

In simple terms, apply the paint cautiously and fairly across the door. You may need to do several coatings and we generally recommend this so that the paint is clearer, more resilient to weather and longer-lasting, so that you won’t have to apply a new coating any time soon. Depending on your type of paint, it could take anywhere from two to six hours for the paint to dry, but it’s usually okay to apply the next coating while the paint is only partially dry. Once you have applied enough coatings, leave the door to dry fully in a well ventilated space, and give it 24 hours just to be safe!

Conclusion

Well, there you go! Once the paint has dried, you can remove the masking tape, re-hinge the door and pack away your equipment. Grab a cup of tea and appreciate your handiwork! Ideally you should have a bold, clear and even coating of paint across your door’s surface with no blotches or scratches and none of the original coating of paint shaping through from behind. If anything looks off, it’s often fine just to take it off the hinges and give it another go over until it’s looking the way you envisioned.

Painting your front door can be a process but if done effectively with the right tools and the correct instructions, you can have it done within a day or two without facing any issues, and be left with a pristine, beautiful and good-as-new front door for your home sweet home!

How to inspect your old door frame.

If you are planning to buy a new Bespoke front door and think your old frame is still in good condition you can check this in 3 easy steps:

a. Check the frame for rot. Use a house key (not a screw driver or chisel, these are too sharp) to poke the cill and the bottom of the frame verticals. You are looking for soft timber. If you find soft timber then the frame is rotten and needs to be replaced.

b. Use a spirit level and tape measure to find out if the frame is square. Most frames are not square. If the verticals are more than 20mm off the vertical line then a new frame is required. If the head or the cill are more than 25mm off the horizontal line then a new frame is required. If the head or the cill are not level then you must tell the customer that the door will not look straight at the top or the bottom, but there is nothing you can do to change this unless you change the frame.

c. Check the frame for cracks/ splits. These can be caused by a break-in in the past. If there are splits around the hinges then the new hinges won’t carry the door and the door might drop. This means the frame must be replaced. If there are splits around the locks then the door may not be as secure and the frame might need to be replaced. If the splits around a lock keep are small, then a London bar might help to re-inforce the frame and the old frame could be kept.

When your frame pass all tests you can buy your dream period front door I our online shop at https://www.bespokefrontdoor.com/doors

In Or Out?

Open in or open out? Hinges on the left, latch on the right? The direction your door opens/swings raise more questions than you’d think. We take our doors for granted but when it comes to replacing them, we are forced to consider all sorts of questions and answers that can make us even more confused.

 

Take front doors. Traditionally, Australian doors follow the British model, and open inwards. But why is this?

For a front door, the convention is that they open into the building simply because it’s not very welcoming to push the door into your visitor’s face – forcing them to retreat – before you’ve even said “Hello!”. Back doors and garden doors, on the other hand, generally open outwards. However, when you look at it from a security point of view, an outward-opening door is more secure than the conventional, making it very difficult for intruders to prize open or force their weight to get the door open.

 

So which is the correct way?

 

At Bespoke Front Door, we favour the conventional in welcoming guests into your home with an outward-opening door, but with top-quality locks for extra security.

 

When you think about it, living in London, in our climate, it’s unlikely that our garden doors and windows are open every day – especially throughout winter months. So, if they were designed to open inwards, we might find ourselves having to rearrange our living space furniture each time we wish to open up.

 

Another argument for having front doors opening inward is that in extreme weather events a build-up of snow outside could trap residents inside their house.

Double Doors

 

With pairs of doors, there is an additional question: which door should have the handle on it and therefore open first? The majority of humans are right-handed and therefore most pairs have the right-hander opening first and away from you – but, remember, that’s the ‘left-hander’ opening towards you when you’re approaching from the other side.

 

After that, you’d think that deciding the door swing for internal room doors would be easy. Doors off a hallway generally open inwards for the simple practical reason of avoiding blocking the gangway. The only exceptions are doors to walk-in storage cupboards. These generally open out into the hallway and this is seldom a problem since they are kept shut most of the time.

Public vs Private

 

Add to the confusion the different standards for public buildings, where you’ll find most doors open outwards, which is a safety measure in case a busy building needs to be evacuated quickly. Crowd pressure on an inward-facing door can prevent it from opening at all, so a simple push-out door is the easiest emergency exit.

 

So, with good points on both sides, the debate on inside or outside-opening front doors doesn’t look like being resolved any time soon. However, style and technology have moved on and today these are not your only options. Consider other styles of doors, such as sliding glass doors or extra security when it comes to locks and latches.

How to Maintain Your Front Door Over the Years

In many ways, the Victorian front door of your house ends up defining it. It’s the first impression for both guests and passers-by, and it’s the lasting image that is most frequently associated with your home after leaving.

Being the first image that comes to someone’s mind when they think of your home gives your front door a fair bit of importance. By maintaining it, you are upholding the view of your house and the way it looks. This means that you need to keep your front door looking healthy and well-cared-for, in order to maintain that curb appeal and the overall value of your house in high spirits.

 

Why Do Front Doors Lose Their Touch?

 

Whether your period front door is made from metal or wood, it’s only natural to witness natural wear and tear over the years, through its age and also poor weather conditions. You may notice that paint has started to fade or crack, coming off with the lightest of touches. You may also notice that wooden doors can begin to rot, as well as metal doors beginning to rust. Not only this, but doors also get damaged through natural use such as slamming and banging, weakening the paint and finish, or causing damage to the material underneath.

How To Maintain Your Door

 

1. The first thing to consider when maintaining your front door involves routinely checking it for faults. Inspect it often to see if the paint is coming off, or if you can see any rot. Similarly, if there’s some piece of the door that’s broken off or if there’s a hole in it, you will know that you need to seal it. Check-ups are the key to providing your front door with the care it needs.

 

1. Secondly, painting and sealing your door efficiently is essential. Your door is subject to damage from water, UV rays, poor weather, and a number of other external factors. Invest in UV-blocking varnish and paint, and also quality oil to treat the wood.

 

1. Thirdly, clean regularly. A simple solution of mild dish soap and warm water, used with a smooth cloth or sponge, is the best way to clean an exterior door. Wipe until no more dirt or dust is evident when you swipe across the surface and allow the door to dry.

 

1. Take a closer look, if needed. For example, for older wood doors that require restoration, it’s best to take the door off the hinges, remove all the hardware, lay it across two sawhorses, and sand it down to the wood. This clears away any old paint, finish, or varnish, and allows you to see if the door has any cracks or other repair needs.

 

 

Maintaining your door and upholding the overall quality helps to preserve the image of your home in the eyes of other people and your own as well. Make time for regularly inspecting the quality of your door, and prevent damage by fixing issues as soon as you notice them.

Bespoke In: Yellow

You can add instant curb appeal by painting your front door, but yellow may not be your first consideration for a paint colour. However, it’s a fun and happy colour that radiates warmth, cheer, and is inviting to all who visit. Enjoy our favourite picks of yellow door colours to inspire creativity over the upcoming summer months.

Why Yellow?

Yellow is one of the primary colours that is considered to be a warm and cheery colour, associated with happiness and well-being, as well as peace and strength. It’s easy to see why yellow has become the colour of choice while homeowners have spruced up their home’s entrance over lockdown!

 

“Yellow offers the warmest of welcomes for any front door” – Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director at Dulux.

 

Yellow is linked to optimism and extraversion. Guests will expect sunny rooms and cheerful decor inside. But be cautious not to splash it everywhere – yellow works great against neutral trims, panelling and brickwork, and even more alluring when couple with some natural greenery and outdoor hanging baskets.

 

Shades We Love

 

1. Gold Yellow

This shade of yellow is the most luxurious of the bunch, adding a touch of glam to your Bespoke front door facade. We just love how it adds a pop of colour but also keeps your home’s entrance an elegant walkway, to be admired by all guests and passers-by.

2. Pastel Yellow

If you’re a fan of the subtle and tasteful shades of yellow, why not opt for a pastel shade? Still being sunny and vibrant, a pastel yellow shade adds a burst of colour to your front facade, without overwhelming your existing style and design.

3. Lemon Yellow

For the zesty, fun and creative bunch who plan to brighten up their home’s first impression. Lemon yellow is one of our favourite shades, with the ability to set your house apart from rows of similar properties with an original and eye-catching look.

4. Canary Yellow

Subtle and subdued it is not, but a canary yellow front door can give your home a zesty new personality. The zing of this beautiful yellow shade can liven up any tired looking home with a burst of creativity and energy. It’s the perfect choice for coupling with white trims and darker panelling/brickwork.

5. Sunshine Yellow

This alluring shade contrasts beautifully with the darker trims and grey walls, adding a pop of character and personality to your home. Everyone loves some sunshine, and when it’s a part of your home, it’s perfect for adding some fun factor and creating a warm welcome for guests and visitors.

Yellow front doors pair beautifully with houses of various style, shape and period, from quaint small country cottages to contemporary new city builds. So, if you’re considering a refresh on your tired front door, go ahead and try some sunshine.

Bespoke In: Purple

Whether it’s the sophisticated shade of plum or a light heather or periwinkle shade, purple is one of the most popular growing colour choices for London front doors, especially over warm summer months, representing wealth, honour, royalty and creativity. So, if you’re thinking of brightening up your home’s entrance, here are some of our favourite shades of purple for exterior doors.

Why Purple?

When it comes to purple, there are hundreds of shades and hues to choose from, especially with so many tone variations. It’s easy to see why it’s such a common and attractive choice to use as a front door colour, making even the most tired-looking exteriors pop with character and style. Not to mention, it makes a quick, easy and cheap update to add a big boost of curb appeal to your home.

 

If you’ve decided to refresh your facade with a purple bespoke front door, you’ll want to pick out a shade that works well with your current exterior style. Follow these tips to choose the shade for your home.

 

Shades We Love

 

1. Plum

No other colour is quite as striking as a bold and vivid plum, and it captures the eyes of passers-by as they are instantly drawn to your vibrant facade. Not to mention, it looks stunning against any style of home, whether it’s an old traditional build or a more modern design.

2. Lilac

A lighter shade of purple with calming undertones, lilac offers a peaceful and tranquil feel to any home exterior. If you’re looking for a sophisticated and luxurious finish to offer timeless style that will be envied by all guests and neighbours, consider the light and delicate tones of lilac.

3. Grape

Be the envy of your block or neighbourhood with a bursting pop of colour to your home exterior. Grape is the new obsession, offering a chic and stylish look to any outdoor design. Being a brighter shade of purple, it’s important to consider the existing style of your home, as too many bright colours can instantly clash with a dramatic shade like grape. We recommend classic white trims and neutral brickwork and panels.

4. Lavender

The softest shade of purple there is, lavender creates a soothing feeling of peace, tranquillity and bliss. It’s also a great choice for spring and summer, especially coupled with gorgeous natural greenery, potted plants and hanging baskets.

5. Orchid

A purple orchid represents royalty, respect, admiration, and dignity. And it’s easy to see why. This bold shade makes a luxurious addition to the main entrance of your home, especially contrasted with white trims, natural greenery and neutral panel work.

Like what you see? Purple is a luxurious and dramatic 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.

Installing Front Door Hardware

Whether it’s time for a brand new Bespoke front door, or just an update by replacing some worn-out hardware, we’ve put together a few handy tips for when it comes to installing a new handle and lock for your door.

As well as looking fresh and clean, adding a new handle and lock system is a great way to boost curb appeal to your home, showcasing the fact it is up-to-date, well-looked after, and also safe and secure.

To begin, it’s vital to ensure your new handles will be the perfect fit. Firstly, consider the dimensions of the backplates to ensure they’ll cover old existing holes and fixtures. Secondly, check the backset. This is the distance from the edge of the door to the centre of the borehole for the doorknob assembly. Most handles you can purchase are compatible with the two standardized backset dimensions of 2 3/8 or 2 3/4 inches.

1. Installing the Latch

Insert the new latch assembly into the existing borehole in the edge of the front door. Make sure the latch bolt is facing in the correct direction. By this we mean, the curved side of the latch bolt should be facing the strike plate on the jamb as the door is closed. Secure the latch assembly’s faceplate to the door with the screws.

2. Joining the Handles

Align the exterior handle on the door by inserting the spindle or axle on the handle through the latch cylinder at a 90-degree angle. Then, carefully place the corresponding doorknob or lever on the interior side of the door, fitting the two parts together. It should feel slightly snug when the two parts join.

3. Deadbolts

Fit the latch bolt into the upper cross borehole, making sure the top is facing up. Then, screw the faceplate in to secure. Install the deadbolt mechanisms on the inside and outside, making sure the keyed cylinder part is on the outside of the door. The inside thumb turn should point up when unlocked, and point towards the door jamb when locked.

4. Installing Strike Plates

Align the strike plate for the handle against the door jamb and attach using a couple of screws. Ensure that the lip of the strike plate is facing the direction in which the door opens out. Next, align the plate for the deadbolt, drill your holes, and install the strike plate to the door jamb with two screws for extra reinforcement.

5. Test

It’s vital to test your new handle and locks work correctly, or there could be danger of your house not being securely locked up if you should go out or lock-up for the night. Do some quick tests by shutting the door and checking to see if the handle sticks or binds. If it does, make sure the latch faceplate is flush with the door edge and doesn’t rub against the strike plate on the jamb. If the latch bolt isn’t properly aligned with the hole in the strike plate, remove the strike plate and use a chisel to extend the mortise in the direction needed to realign the bolt with the hole. Again, screw the plate back on and test the fit.