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Front Door Refresh

A few weeks ago we noticed our door needed a fresh coat of paint. Between the dogs and all the traffic in and out, the paint was getting a little beat up. For the past year or so, we had been entertaining the idea of softening the front door color. Now that our paint colors are starting to flow better and we have a more clear direction for the overall color scheme of our home, the black just seemed a little harsh. (You can see the black door here.)

Front Door Refresh

I love black doors, but since I had been questioning whether or not it felt too harsh in my house for so long, I decided it wouldn’t hurt to try a softer tone! Since we had plenty of our kitchen cabinet paint (Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal, see all of my paint colors here) and we knew it worked great in our overall color scheme, we thought we might as well start there! It was worth a try.

Front Door Refresh

Turns out, we love it! See the difference? I only wish I hadn’t waited so long to try it!

Front Door Refresh

Update: See details about my new indoor/outdoor entry rug here!

By the way, the trim color is Dove White by Benjamin Moore and the walls are Studio Taupe by Behr All-In-One.

Take a tour of this house (and my new Seattle house!) here.

Front Door Refresh

Click here to shop my house and latest furniture & decor finds!

70 Comments

  1. Nat

    Yes definitely looks like it blends better. Glad you love it.

    Reply
  2. Kay

    So pretty!
    I like your unusual birch branch propped in the corner — it’s unexpected + interesting!

    Reply
  3. Linda@Creekside

    Soft, distinctive. A stand-out, especially against the white!

    Reply
  4. Chloe Crabtree

    Lovely, just lovely. The grey must be such a welcome change from the stark black. I am so in love with so many shades of grey right now, and this one is just perfect for your door. I love the door style, too! The birch branch, the basket, the wainscoting, it all comes together just perfectly!

    Reply
  5. Faith

    Love it! In my book, charcoal gray is always a classic.

    Reply
  6. Sallie

    Looks GREAT!

    Reply
  7. Ginger

    Beautiful! Can you tell me the other colors you used such as wall & trim. Also interested in your floors. Every thing so refreshing.

    Reply
  8. Warehouse Studio Chicago

    Love the change in color to Gray – you are right the black color looked harsh. Touch of the basket and birch branch along with a little potted plant and family frame to the right softens the whole entryway and is very welcoming.
    Are you planning on adding a rug ???

    Reply
    • Kateri

      Beautiful! We are in the process of choosing a front door and side windows. Where did you purchase your windows by the front door? Also, what are the measurements? We are looking for something thinner like yours and the idea of them opening for fresh air is a huge plus! Thank you.

      Reply
  9. Patty Day

    Genius! It looks perfect!

    Reply
  10. Alice

    Can you please let me know where you got your wooden floors from? I have been looking for floors like that for literally a year! Thank you x

    Reply
  11. Anne

    Do you paint the door with it hanging there or do you take it down and lay it flat? My front door is looking for a new color but I always get overwhelmed with the process! LOL!

    Reply
  12. debra

    How did you paint the door without actually replacing it? The paint stays tacky for so long!

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Ours seemed to dry pretty fast, it’s a water based paint. It was a nice warm day so that helped!

      Reply
  13. Sandy

    Love it! Looks so much softer and seems to flow better.

    Reply
  14. Shannon

    That is very pretty! I love the idea of tying your entry colors with the kitchen. We’ll be doing something similar once we get around to redoing the kitchen. Flow is so important!

    Reply
  15. Julie

    love the wall color in these photos! what is it? we’re looking to re-paint our living room…

    Reply
      • Debbie DeMarco

        Thanks, I was getting ready to ask the wall color too.

        Reply
  16. Karen on Bainbridge Island

    We had a black front door in our old house in California. Benjamin Moore “Soot” with just a hint of purplish/gray in the light, which softened it a bit. I really like the change in your door, and, over time, I bet the wear and tear isn’t as noticeable as with black.

    Reply
  17. KATHYSUE

    MELISSA! LOVE the change, isn’t it funny how something like this can be staring us in the face then all of the sudden one day it is time to make the change and then you wonder why you waited this long to change it? It looks fabulous, love it with your beautiful floors,
    Happy Friday,
    Kathysue

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Yes, I don’t know why I didn’t just change it ages ago! So happy with it! Thanks Kathysue!! Have fun with all your projects! :)

      Reply
  18. Diane West

    Love the color—especially with your interior wall color!

    Reply
  19. Cynthia @herlovelynest

    Melissa, it’s a perfect choice, it looks wonderful! and good job using what you already have :-)

    Reply
  20. Joan

    Did you paint the inside and outside the same color? I really want a black door to do with the outside colors of our house, but like you think the black would be too much for the inside.

    Reply
  21. Rebecca @ Hello Creative Blog

    I LOVE the color of the door. Also love the color of the paint in the room – do you know what color that is? Looks great!

    Reply
  22. Tamela

    Love, love, love the gray door! It works perfectly with your interior wall color too! Great choice.

    Reply
  23. Kimmad

    We are actually getting ready to paint ours a similar color. I think it’s called Muted Ebony by Valspar. It was on the same line of paint chips as our wall color so it goes really well. Love your color!

    Reply
  24. Lydia @ The Thrifty Frugal Mom

    Love it! I’ve been entertaining the idea of painting our front door pretty much this very shade of gray and this just clinched it for me.

    Reply
  25. Diane | An Extraordinary Day

    Perfect! I’m amazed at the softness and feel of the ‘new’ color in the entry. I also like the dresser to the side of the door. It feels more like a room than just an entry now. Isn’t it amazing how changing the tone can change the atmosphere completely?

    Reply
  26. Rena @ Lemon Peel

    I actually like both looks a lot. But you’re right, the charcoal gray gives the room a softer touch. Nicely done!

    Reply
  27. Kayla J

    I also like the gray, but I’ve gotta say (hehe), that I think I like the black better. Maybe it’s the French in me. :) Both are lovely, and I’m glad you’ve done something that works for the feel of your home. :)

    Reply
  28. Eileen

    I am wanting a new colour on our door as well and I am certainly going to check this colour out. I was looking for a true grey without blue or mauve undertones so it’s time to try a paint chip on the front door. Once that is decided I want to get rid of the brass hardware and pick out a brushed nickel set. You always seem to get me thinking!!!

    Reply
  29. Taberah Carter

    Quite lovely!

    Reply
  30. Julie

    I love the charcoal door…it’s perfect! Small changes can make such a difference.

    Reply
  31. Camille @ Chez Moi

    I’m a BIG Chelsea Gray and Kendall Charcoal fan! We went with a black door as the dining room adjacent is Iron Mountain (dark!), but in our last home we had Chelsea in the kitchen. Loved it! And love the subtle change to your entry door. Perfect!

    Reply
  32. Christina

    I love, love, love the charcoal gray and your whole house for that matter. Where is your door from? I’d love to replace ours to let a little light into our foyer.

    Reply
  33. melinda

    Could you please share where you got that chevron doormat? It’s wonderful!

    Reply
  34. Marie

    Loved the new door color. I loved the black too, but this one definitely feels less “harsh.” So pretty!

    Reply
  35. Jessica Adam

    The door looks great! It looked nice before, but just that simple change of color created such a warm area! Great choice!

    Reply
  36. denise Kass

    I am in love with your blog! Could you please change my email address to the new one I just posted? Happy creating! Denise

    [email protected]

    Reply
  37. Becky Bolat

    Where is the door itself from? Looking for one like that!

    Reply
  38. Jennifer

    What color is the gray paint on the door? LOVE IT!!

    Reply
  39. Dave Buster

    Hi! I showed this to my mom and not only does she love the colors, but she loves the DOOR and wants to get one for her home. Could you share where you got the door?

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Hi Dave, sorry for my delay in responding. The door was here when we got the house so sadly I’m not sure. I’ve seen similar ones at Home Depot but there is no label and I don’t know the exact manufacturer. I hope you can find one similar!

      Reply
  40. Eileen

    I’m loving this entryway. Beautiful!!

    Reply
  41. Pam

    Love the colors!

    Reply
  42. Michelle

    Did you buy that front door or was it there when you bought the house… Ive been looking for one EXACTLY that style 3 window panes, over 3 exact sized panels and cannot find one, and don’t want to have one custom built… if you know the make/model please share it would be greatly appreciated!

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Hi Michelle, the door was here when we got the house so sadly I’m not sure. I’ve seen similar ones at Home Depot but there is no label and I don’t know the exact manufacturer. Sorry about that! I hope you can find one similar!

      Reply
  43. Nancy

    Echoing previous post: PLEASE let us know if you know who manufactures this door. LOVE IT but am ONE TO TWO WEEKS away from needing this style of door so my contractor to install. Thank you much!

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Hi Nancy, the door was here when we got the house so sadly I’m not sure. I’ve seen similar ones at Home Depot but there is no label and I don’t know the exact manufacturer. Sorry about that! I hope you can find one similar!

      Reply
  44. stacie

    I love the the gray and bought it in satin for my front door . Now im thinking I should have got it in semi gloss. Which finish did you use. Your door is really nice.

    Reply
  45. Cathy

    I love the door—source?

    Reply
  46. Patti

    I see that your gorgeous door is painted in BM Kendall Charcoal but could you advise me on finish? Semi-gloss?

    Reply
  47. Amy

    Do you know anything about your flooring? I am thinking of going with a lighter color and so far not many agree with me. Lol. What I chose looks very similar to yours.

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Yes, it’s natural Hickory. If you search Mohawk Natural Hickory in the blog search bar you’ll find more info! Thanks :)

      Reply
  48. Hazel collins

    Hi there, can you advise where you got your front door from please? I would like something similar, TIA H

    Reply
  49. Laura

    I love the door itself. Can you tell me where I could find one or the name/style as google searching hasn’t helped!

    Reply
  50. Shaun

    Did U sand the entire door first? Mine has a gel
    Stain on it and it’s faded 10
    Years old would love to paint it grey

    Reply

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