If I had it my way, I would probably paint my entire house black. Black always makes things look better. So, my front porch painted black was only a matter of time. After seeing another black-painted porch on Pinterest, I knew this was the look I wanted.
I loved how it was so different. As I’ve said so many times, the unexpected is always my favorite, when it comes to interior design.
And to have a front porch painted black on an all white home, is sure to make a statement. I love that my porch now screams, “look at me”. In a very good way.
I have been wanting to do a front porch makeover for some time now. One of the ideas I had was to paint my wooden door black. A black front door is sure to make a bold statement. It adds depth and dimension to the space.
But with the beautiful mahogany stained color of my door, I have a really hard time painting it. I know once I do, there’s no turning back.
But I also knew I wanted a change. I was feeling like my front porch blended in too much with the rest of my home…
My first attempt at making a change, was to paint the entire front porch white.
My thinking was, maybe a white porch would really make the front door pop. While it did accomplish that goal, it just didn’t catch the eye like I wanted it to. I knew before I even finished it, this was not the right color…
After stepping back and giving it some more thought, I came up with the obvious. Paint it black. Everything looks good painted black. So, of course, my front porch painted black would be just the curb appeal I was looking for.
I mean it only made sense. Black is the accent color of my home.
My shutters and window trim are black…
My flower box and its faux window backdrop are black…
My new planter box I built this summer is black…
And my gutters and eaves…I just painted those black a few weeks ago…
With so much black exterior, why would I not paint my front porch black? I knew almost immediately, applying this fresh coat of paint, this was the color!
My go to color for all of my black paint colors projects is Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black. It is such a deep, rich black color. A true black.
But I have to say, I’m also a big fan of Black Magic and Iron Ore. Both are from Sherwin Williams. You honestly, can’t go wrong with any of these.
How I Tackled This Project
Board and batten is one of my favorite accent wall treatments. So, I love that my front porch is all board and batten. But painting board and batten takes a little more time than a flat wall.
Here are the steps I took:
- First, I taped off all the areas I didn’t want painted. 🙂
- Next, working in sections, I painted all of the edges and corners.
- Then, with a paint brush I filled in all of the grooves of the board and batten.
- After this, I went back over all of the section with my paint roller.
The best way to tackle this project was to knock out the lower section first and then work on the higher parts. Heights are not my thing. 🙁 But, with this being a little bit of a tighter space, being high up on the ladder didn’t really bother me…
The more I finished, the more I knew I was going to absolutely love this!
And how it pops against the limewashed brick is oh so good! A project I completed in one day, limewash, is the perfect contrast to black accent colors.
I couldn’t wait to get my plants and wooden picture back in their spots. The way they pop against the black makes the front of the house stand out even more…
It’s hard to believe all of the changes and color schemes our home has gone through over the years.
I had a phase where I thought orange and brown would be good exterior paint colors. Not exactly sure what my thought process was in that one 🙁
I think I was trying to get away from the boring, monochromatic look the previous owner had going on. But wow! Did I take it to the far end of the spectrum…
The modern exterior color palette we have today makes for a much more beautiful home.
I have one more thing to do to the front porch to completely give it the look I want. My next step is to add brick pavers to the porch floor.
A front porch is a great place to add brick pavers. I’m excited to get started on this upcoming project and can’t wait to share the full tutorial with you.
I hope to show you the easy way I tackled this project. Once that project is complete, I’ll be shopping for a new rug. Probably two, for that door mat layered look I love.
Not sure what color I’ll go with. Maybe a white rug or a darker color rug. Jute rugs are always a great rug for front porches. I love their neutral tones.
Front Porch Painted Black-FAQ’s
What are your exterior paint colors?
- Body: Sherwin Williams Classic French Gray
- Accent Color: Sherwin Williams King’s Canyon
- White Trim: Behr Marquee Ultra Pure White
- Windows and garage doors: Tricorn Black
How does a wooden black door hold up against the sun?
Painting your wooden door black can have some negative results. The biggest one being the hot sun beating down on it can cause the wood to expand. Which, in turn, can form cracks in the wood of your door.
Some manufacturers will even void their warranty if you paint the door black. Something to keep in mind when considering what color to paint your front door. Our house faces south, so this would definitely become an issue for us.
What is the best front door color?
Black will always make a statement. So, if your door is metal and not wood, painting it black is a great option. Wood tones are a great way to make a front door stand out too.
Is it ok to use interior paint outside?
No. Interior paint can not be used outside. It does not have the additives needed to withstand the elements of the outdoors. In a short matter of time, interior paint will begin to crack and bubble when used in an outdoor space.
What are some easy things I can do to make my front porch stand out?
Interior designers will always recommend adding green to every living space. Adding plants is the easiest way to make your porch pop. A few other easy things to add are:
- layered rugs
- seasonal decor
- a chair; IF you have the space for one
- a wreath
- a neutral type picture
Pro Tip: If you don’t have the space for a sitting area on your front porch, don’t force it. Adding chairs to a really small front porch, just looks awkward and forced. Small spaces command less stuff. Don’t try to cram too much into the space.
Are dark exterior homes a passing trend?
Black houses are all the rage right now. They are getting much love in the world of Pinterest and architectural design.
But whether they’re here to stay or a passing color trend is anyone’s guess. The good thing is people tend to paint their homes every 5-7 years. So, changing the house color won’t be too far off into the future, if it does go out of style.
If you haven’t seen this trend, here’s a stunning example of a home painted black…
Source: Hatcliff Construction; Photo Credit: Allison Elefante Photo
What are the most popular colors for exterior paint?
- Cream/off white
- Black
- White
- Gray
- Light brown
- Medium blue tones
What is the best exterior paint sheen?
Most people opt for a satin or semi-gloss finish. A satin is going to be less shiny than semi-gloss. So it really depends on personal preference. My go-to for interior and exterior is satin.
Let’s go beyond the design to build something beautiful together!
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