The Tradition of Painting Your Front Door Red — What Does it Mean?

A brightly coloured front door adds a fun pop of colour to any home and instantly gives it an extra touch of personality and curb appeal. One would assume that those confident homeowners happen to love that certain colour, and painting their entire home green, bright blue, or in this case red, would be just a bit too much.

But, there actually is a deeper meaning to painting your front door red. Although there may be many more meanings besides the three mentioned below, here are a few of the most common reasons why people might paint their front door red. It’s also possible that it is as simple as — red is their favourite colour!

1. The Feng Shui Tradition
In Feng Shui, a red front door means “welcome.” Feng Shui is a Chinese philosophy in which the arrangement and colour of objects in a room relates to the flow of energy. The front door is known as the “Mouth of Chi” where energy enters. If you believe in or follow Feng Shui, painting your front door red would create welcoming energy.

2. The Early American Tradition
In an early American tradition, a door painted red was a sign to weary travellers that the home was a safe and welcoming place to rest. It was a symbol of hospitality and travellers knew they could potentially stay the night there. They could park their horse and buggy out front and enjoy a safe, restful and warm night of rest.

3. The Scottish Tradition
In recent history, some homeowners — particularly in Scotland — paint their front door red in order to signify that they have paid off their mortgage. This mortgage-free announcement is of course exciting to homeowners. Even if everyone doesn’t know about this hidden meaning, at least it will make the homeowners smile whenever they come through their front door.

If your front door is not red … here is what the colour of your front door possibly means and may say about you.

Orange
You’re a social butterfly! Orange doors tell guests that you like to entertain, but also that you enjoy a good challenge.

Blue
Those who paint their doors blue enjoy peace and value truth. They are well grounded and true to themselves.

Gray
Gray is an indecisive colour, a mix between black and white. If you paint your door gray, you are indecisive and prefer to compromise—giving both sides of an argument equal weight.

Green
Green doors suggest that traditional values lay within. The people living there are ambitious and strive for personal betterment. They’re also good with their finances, as green is affiliated with money.

Wood
Homeowners who keep their doors a traditional wooden finish are generous and down to earth, like this grounded finish. They are kind and sweet and all who enter will feel welcomed.

Black
When you cross a black threshold, you are entering a world of order and control. Simple elegance graces the style within and everything is in its proper place.

White
Just like the clean lines it creates, white doors begin a guest’s journey into simple and organized home decor.

Brown
Like wood doors, brown ones signal that those within are warm, reliable and stable. Like the earth. They can keep an even head and are trustworthy.

Yellow
While it ups your curb appeal, a yellow door also says you’re logical while also creative. Like the color, you have a positive attitude and may even be a morning person!

Turquoise
Turquoise may be an unusual colour, but it is perfect if you crave emotional balance, have big hopes and dreams and believe that anything is possible. In other words, you’re a romantic dreamer.

Glass
A glass door symbolizes that you too are open minded, friendly and outgoing because you have nothing to hide.

Pink
Needless to say, you’re a hopeless romantic. But, you’re also thoughtful, cheery and generous.

Purple
Purple is a risky colour because it’s not very common. It says you are comfortable taking risks, you dream big and may even call yourself a free-spirit, and not burdened by the parameters others may set.

THE 905 REAL ESTATE GUYS
info@905realestateguys.com
Sean Kavanagh 905.220.9198
Leo Manchisi 905.334.9650