After spending the past few months outside, the beginning of fall is a better time than any to hit the refresh button of your home decor. Many people might light an autumnal candle, toss a few new throw pillows around, or sprinkle in some seasonal decorations, but those who are are looking to make a big change will want to add a fresh coat of paint. And, no, not on your walls.
According to Houzz’s U.S. Fall 2025 Design Trends Report, painted doors are poised to have their moment this season. (Yes, even your interior doors.) The home renovation platform revealed that entryways coated in bold, unexpected colors are destined to give a space a one-of-a-kind, hyper-personal appeal.
If you ask Sara Swabb, owner and creative director of Storie Collective in Washington, D.C., these pigmented portals are an awesome way to change the mood in your home—minus a laborious, expensive renovation. “People are craving personality in their interiors, and doors are a perfect surface to express that,” she says. “They bridge the architecture and the furnishings, so when you give them color, you instantly add depth and polish to the space.”
You could use a pared-back, goes-with-anything neutral, but Peter Miles of The Drawing Board, Inc. says it’s your sign to think outside of the box. ” Beige is boring whereas color-drenched rooms where the walls, trim, and doors are all painted the same or similar hues are an affordable way to make a statement with a room,” the Washington, D.C. designer explains.
But with so many colors to choose from, where do you begin your search? Swabb, for example, starts by looking at the surrounding room to make the door an “intentional” part of the overall design. Miles agrees, and says he likes to match the door to the area’s windows and trim. “The color should either be similar or the same as the wall colors as long as it’s complementary,” he adds. “It’s often darker [than the walls].”
For an option that’s easy on the eyes, Tracy Morris says to stay away from green-based yellows, baby blues, and orange-tinged reds. “These colors can feel harsh to the eye and often read more trendy than timeless,” says the Washington D.C. designer. “They also tend to date a space quickly, which is the opposite of what you want when choosing a statement color for doors.”
Instead, try moody hues like Benjamin Moore’s Wrought Iron (2124-10 or Black Panther (2125-10). “These tones feel classic and instantly add drama to a space,” Morris says. Meanwhile, Swabb prefers earthy blues and greens because they are “timeless, grounding, and versatile.”
However, if you’re looking to bring this trend into your space, proper preparation is everything. “Doors take a lot of wear and tear, so if you do not clean, sand, and prime properly, the finish will chip or show brush marks almost immediately,” Morris says. To keep your painted door looking fresher for longer, consider a high-gloss finish, which is known to be easier to clean.
Not sure if the painted door trend is for you? Swabb recommends painting the door of a more contained space like a powder room or bedroom. And, if you realize the look isn’t for you, that’s okay. “One thing I always remind homeowners is that painting your interior doors is a commitment, but it is not permanent,” Morris notes. “If you try a color and decide it is not right, you can always repaint, which makes the trend approachable and fun.”
A trend that’s transformative, but relatively temporary? Don’t mind if we do.
Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance lifestyle journalist, who covers shopping and deals for Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, and ELLE Decor, among others. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos.
