'It’s the little black dress of front doors' – Sarah Jessica Parker's former West Village brownstone embraces a timelessly striking shade

The front door is the portal to the home, highly associated with self-esteem and a sense of belonging. Front door paint trends come and go, but if you want to feel good about your color choice forever, one pick shines out over all the rest: black paint.

An archival image of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick's West Village townhouse from 2012 is definitive proof.

The iconic New York home features a brownstone front with a black front door color and black window trim. Over 10 years later, it looks just as stylish as if it were painted yesterday.

Victoria Yardley, color expert and founder of the eco-conscious paint brand Victoria Colors, explains the importance of a welcoming front door color, stating: 'Your front door is part of the home’s curb appeal, and it’s amazing how a simple lick of paint can transform the look and feel of your home’s entrance. Front doors are all about making a statement.'

She adds: 'For that timeless touch, you can’t go wrong with a rich, black – it’s the little black dress of front doors!'

Shop the Black Front Door Edit

You can add curb appeal and style to your front door with accents of black, even if you aren't ready to make the jump and do a full repaint. Here are a few of my favorites.

If you are looking for a sign to redo your front door, let SJP and Matthew Broderick's look be your sign. According to experts, decorating your front door is the new biggest interior design trend for 2025. For example, Pinterest data shows that searches for ‘front door inspiration’ have increased 400 per cent over the last month.

Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director at paint brand Little Greene, explains: 'It’s fantastic to see a shift in the use of color for outdoor spaces. Whilst color schemes are often in keeping with a property’s period, many are embracing the use of color to create characterful, statement exteriors.'

The moodiness of black has influenced our interiors for the past few years, which may shed light on its prevalence as a front door trend.

'The color confidence we have seen in recent years within interiors is certainly impacting choices in outdoor areas too,' Ruth continues. 'Rather than being treated separately, we are seeing interior design schemes and the use of color being taken outside, extending the color palette within the home to create a sense of flow.'

As seen on the exterior of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick's home, the turn towards decorative front door trends has led to increased interest in using plants to highlight the beauty of black paint.

Ruth advises: 'As well as the use of exterior color that complements our natural surroundings, we are seeing interior design schemes that maximize the power of exterior views to draw in the soothing qualities of the outdoors. For example, the literal framing of leafy foliage with black and dark greys on interior window frames has grown popular.'

Black paint is forever. No matter the style of the home or the year, it will always look just as striking and current.