When trying to elevate your home’s curb appeal, many homeowners overlook one of the largest visual exterior features: the garage door. Attached garages, particularly, feel like the face of a home, making them the center of attention. “Painting your garage door is an easy way to upgrade your home’s look,” says Morgan Olsen, interior design expert at Thumbtack. So, if you’re looking for a quick improvement on your curb appeal, here are 5 colors design and real estate experts recommend.
Matte Black
If you’re aiming for noticeable curb appeal, matte black is a standout. Nancy Dow, designer at Sierra Living Concepts, says this dark shade adds both drama and elegance. “Sleek and sultry matte black instantly lends drama and a modern look, great for contemporary or industrial homes,” she says.
Black garage doors create a striking contrast with light-colored siding and pair beautifully with modern minimalist and suburban architecture. “Contemporary or modern farmhouse designs pair well with [black], especially if your home is white or gray,” says Chris Curtis, residential project manager at The Genie Company. The matte finish keeps the look from becoming too harsh or edgy. This refined touch will surely generate curb appeal from strangers and neighbors alike.
Forest or Sage Green
Green is a popular color option for garage doors, but there are many ways to go wrong with green. Steer clear of abrasive yellowish tones. Instead, gravitate to leafy shades like sage, emerald, or hunter green, which offer continuity with the environment. These nature-inspired tones echo natural elements like grass, trees, and stone, helping a home feel grounded in its surroundings. And if your home is in a concrete-heavy city, greens can help reconnect people with nature in a subtle way.
“Muted or olive or forest greens have been trending,” Curtis says. “These are unique and can complement a home’s landscaping while providing a natural feel.” Greens pair especially well with craftsman, cottage, or suburban homes, as well as those featuring stonework or hardscaping. Add an earthy tone to your garage to create a seamless connection between your house and nearby green spaces in your lawn or neighborhood.
Taupe
For homeowners looking for something understated that still feels fresh, warm taupe is a classic neutral. Dow says this color “feels solid and sophisticated, adding depth, but not enough to make the other half of the exterior seem like an afterthought.” Similarly, it hides exterior dirt and fingerprints that might otherwise be noticeable on pure whites.
Taupe works particularly well on homes with stone, stucco, or neutral-toned siding, softening the overall appearance without dulling it. It’s also highly versatile, effortlessly coordinating with warmer roof tones, bronze hardware, and wood or iron accents. Unlike pure gray, taupe carries a bit of warmth, which helps exteriors feel more welcoming.
White
White remains a tried-and-true favorite, especially for homeowners with colonial or traditional-style homes. Curtis calls white garage doors “classic and timeless.”
For brick or painted homes that already have a lot of color on the façade, white brightens the look and offers a contrasting visual feature. It’s ideal for homeowners who want a clean, minimalistic façade or balance to a detailed exterior.
White offers crispness and clarity, especially when paired with darker exteriors like navy or deep gray. Depending on the climate and weather in your area, white may already be a standard builder’s choice, but take some time to select the right shade and sheen for you. Remember, white will not hide daily weather exposure and stains, so this color is best applied to homes with automatic or hands-free garage door openers. Otherwise, build garage door cleaning into your monthly lawn care routine.
Brown Wood Tones
Ken Sisson of Coldwell Banker Realty in Studio City says Spanish colonial or Spanish revival style homes benefit from a dark brown or forested wood tone. Whether selling a home or just trying to impress onlookers, homeowners who want the first snapshot to leave a lasting impression can’t bypass a well-stained and weather-proofed brown garage color.
For homes with rustic, craftsman, or farmhouse design elements, wood-toned garage doors bring warmth and a sense of organic charm. These tones mimic natural woodgrain, whether in the form of real wood or high-quality faux finishes, and blend seamlessly into earthy surroundings.
Curtis says that “wood-toned [garage doors] add warmth, texture, and a natural feel,” and are especially well-suited to homes with stone façades, cedar shingles, or brick. Wood-look finishes can also complement other wooden features on a home, such as trim, shutters, or fencing. Rich browns can create a harmonious and cohesive exterior palette. Don’t forget to frost any garage door windows, Sisson adds.
