Hints for tints – garage door colors made easy

You’ve probably not thought much about garage door colors before. That is, until you need a new garage door. Then, you’ll notice garage door colors everywhere. As you walk down the street, you might admire garage doors with paint that matches front doors. Or, you’ll notice faded, peeling, and unloved garage doors.

A garage door is a big investment, so it’s important to spend time considering and choose wisely. 

1. Color theory

Color theory can help frame your thinking around garage door colors. That said, color choice is also about intuition, expression, and personal preference, but color theory can help if you’re not sure where to start.

Color harmony, temperature, and psychology

Different color combinations create different results. For example, monochromatic schemes use different shades of the same color for cohesion and subtle elegance. Complementary schemes, on the other hand, use opposite colors on the color wheel for contrast and vibrancy.

Color temperature has an impact on the overall feel of your exterior design, too. Neutral and cool colors like blue, green, white, cream, and beige are calming and relaxing. Warm colors like red, orange, and yellow are welcoming and positive.

There are exceptions to these rules, though – if you use white too much, for example, it can look stark and sterile. And if you use too much black, it can look overbearing and absorb excess heat. Think about how you want your exterior colors to make you feel and how much you want to stand out.

2. Architectural style and your surroundings

A great way to start thinking about color is to look at your surroundings. Consider the architectural style of your home and neighborhood, and whether you’re in an urban, suburban, or rural location. These all have an impact on what garage door colors will suit your home.

For example, if you have a Mid-century Modern home in Palm Springs, a subtle, natural color that blends the indoors with the outdoors will look great. This would suit the Desert Modernism that’s so popular in the area, as well as your home’s architectural style.

Mid-century Modern homes can also handle bold, high-contrast, color schemes. For example, in the suburbs or a city.

If you have a more traditional home, like Mediterranean or Spanish Revival, warm woodtones that complement the classic beams will look seamless. In Santa Barbara, for example, which is famous for buildings with white stucco walls and red-tiled roofs, you’ll need to follow local design standards.

Not all historic buildings require more subtle garage door colors. A good example of this is San Francisco’s Painted Ladies, which are fun, bright, and contrasting. They’re from the color movement and are a great reminder not to be afraid to play with color. 

3. Existing palette and light levels

Look at the colors of prominent exterior elements like brickwork, patio or driveway areas, beams, doors, and window frames. Choose a garage door color that complements these features, or plan so that when you’ve finished renovating everything will sit together nicely. Think about primary and accent colors when making your decision.

Watch how light hits your house at different times of day and the impact this has on the existing palette. It’s also a good idea to order color samples for your garage door so you can see how these look throughout the day, too. Remember if you live in a hot climate, have a south-facing home, or choose a dark garage door color, your home will absorb more heat. If you want to keep your house cool, it’s better to choose lighter colors that reflect rather than absorb heat.

4. Your personal style

Unless you’re about to sell your home or have to follow to local regulations, the most important factor in deciding a color is your taste. If you have a white house and want everything to look seamless, go for a white door. If you love bold colors and want to break the mould, go for something vibrant. If you love wood grain and warm, rich browns, choose a wood-look garage door. 

Quality residential garage doors last 15–20 years, so choose one that you want – not one you think you should have.

Hopefully this guide gives you a good starting point to work from as you upgrade your home’s exterior. Remember, choosing a garage door color should be fun. If you're struggling for ideas, order some samples to make your life easier. You should be able to start whittling down your choices quickly when you see them in front of you.