Raucous Orange. Quixotic Plum. Relic Bronze. These are just some of the bold colors that national color expert Kate Smith predicts will be most popular on residential door exteriors in 2014.
“There are two trends I see influencing front door colors for 2014,” says Smith, chief color maven and president of Sensational Color. “First, there’s the trend of people painting their doors with exuberant hues as a way of telling the world they’re tired of spinning their wheels in place. These people are ready to move forward, embrace challenges and show their energy through vibrant colors like Capri blue and Dynamo raspberry.
“The other trend is that some people are seeking colors that are vibrant yet at the same time connect us to a sense of community and culture. These simpler colors, like Classic French Gray and Polished Mahogany, give us comfort, warmth and reliability, which are found in these rich paint colors.”
For homeowners looking to express their “colorful self,” Smith recommends selecting paintable doors. “Smooth-finish doors are ideal for adding personal expression to a home,” says Smith. “They feature clean lines, crisp angles and attractive glass configuration options. By painting the doors in unique colors to match the homeowner’s personality, people can really make a statement with these durable doors.”
Top 10 Door Colors for 2014
The top five door colors Smith has identified as gaining popularity in 2014 that match up with the “exuberant homeowner” trend include:
1 – Capri – A tropical blue that wakes up natural woods and neutral surroundings, this color adds a splash of energy on the door for a home.
2 – Raucous Orange – True to its name, this vibrant color demands attention with its energetic orange tone and makes the perfect punctuation point for the front of a home with a modern look.
3 – Dynamo – This flirty violet hue instantly updates a traditional color scheme on a home exterior to a trendier home front.
4 – Relic Bronze – A deep, almost brown mustard color, Relic Bronze reflects aged beauty on a home that shows up in unexpected exterior element combinations.
5 – Quixotic Plum – This sophisticated deep purple breaks out of its noble bonds in 2014 to dance along the edge of where trendy meets timeless as it graces the front entry of homes.
The remaining top five door colors that follow the trend of “community and culture” identified by Smith include:
6 – Georgian Bay – Brighter and more moving than dark navy, this step-above reserved blue is a trusted color when it comes to the welcoming message it sends on a door to family and friends.
7 – Show Stopper – Like classic red at dusk, Show Stopper adds a touch of mystery to this bright hue. A slight spin on traditional red, this color warmly welcomes people to a home.
8 – Polished Mahogany – The deep, rich shade of this brown color has a staying power that traverses trends and captures a solid feeling for homeowners.
9 – Classic French Grey – Stepping out of the shadows to stand on its own, this cool, neutral grey will continue to rule the palette in 2014.
10 – Gulfstream – This bright, modern blue has an of-the-moment appeal. At the same time, it still feels rooted in something familiar and nostalgic for homeowners.
Kate Smith is a career color trend forecaster who recently authored the free e-book, “FRESH Color Schemes for Your Home Exterior”