Colour trends for the new year, from our panel of experts.
Whether you’re buying, selling or letting, first impressions count… and where better to start than the front door. A reflection of your personality – and a clue to what visitors might find inside – the colour you paint yours is a big decision.
So, if you’re planning to give your front door an injection of kerb appeal this coming year, what shade should you go for?
“Deep blues and blacks will always be popular for doors, but I would opt for something more interesting,” says colour expert Anna Hill, Co-Owner of British paint brand, Fenwick & Tilbrook. “Looking ahead to 2026, we predict earthy, muted heritage shades will stay prominent, with deep wine-toned reds and bolder forest greens taking centre stage in exteriors. Timeless colours with warm undertones, alongside soft pinks and softened blues, will all bring calm, character, and kerb appeal”.
Looking for inspiration? Here are Anna’s top five door colour predictions from the range at Fenwick & Tilbrook, for 2026:
- Boleyn Rose – A rich burgundy ideal for period homes and light stone or rendered facades.
- Aged Copper – A softly weathered blue-green that suits stone cottages.
- Natterjack – An earthy olive green perfect for red brick cottages and rural homes.
- Marrakech – A warm pinky terracotta adding Mediterranean-inspired charm.
- Vintage Peony – A pale, warm pink that flatters Georgian and coastal homes.
To complete the look, why not swap tired, tarnished or scratched door furniture – hardware such as the knocker, letterplate, latch pulls and escutcheons – for smart new ones at the same time?
“Think of hardware like jewellery for your front door – picking the right style and metal finish will instantly transform it,” explains interior designer Laura Finn, from Decorbuddi.com, who works across Herts, Beds and Bucks.
“For the coming year, brass is still a great choice,” she reveals, “But we’re seeing both polished and brushed chrome and nickel becoming more popular. These silver tones sit nicely with rich, deeper or bold and bright door shades, and can work better with paler, lighter colours than brass.”
Another increasingly popular choice is bronze: “Softer than black, it looks lovely with chocolate or neutral tones, and if you’re a fan of door wreaths, it really compliments natural materials such as foliage, rattan and wicker”.
As for the style of your door furniture, Laura recommends going traditional… with a twist. “Timeless period shapes and styles, such as doctor’s knockers, are making their way back in. But knockers are also a great opportunity to have a bit of fun – it’s possible to get pineapples, bees, bows and even elegant frog-shaped knockers now. Take a look at brands such as Willow & Stone, Jim Lawrence, Hera Ray and Grace & Glory. The most important thing is to make sure all the furniture – from the letterbox to the keyholes – is all in the same metal finish; and go for as good quality as you can, for a new look that’s going to last well beyond 2026, for years to come”.