$15 Front Door Redo With Faux Etched Glass
Turn an ugly duckling front door into a beauty with this easy (and affordable) front door painting project.
Giving your front door a mini makeover can brighten your entry and boost curb appeal. This project uses just a can of paint and spray paint to refresh and faux etch an outdated front door.
A New (to us) Home Sweet Home
We’re a military family who has move 9 times in the last 16 years. Yikes!
We just purchased a new house and plan to make it our forever home.
It’s exciting to be staying in one place…. But the new place definitely needs some work.
A More Welcoming Entry
The front door was number one on the list of DIY projects. Why?
It was a dingy brown door (on an all white house) that didn't seem very welcoming.
It also had an etched floral glass window and bright gold hardware that was better suited to the 1980s.
Adding Curb Appeal
Luckily just a bit of paint can transform a front entry quickly without spending a lot of money.
For this project we used:
- Satin Latex Exterior Paint
- Painter’s Tape
- Foam Roller
- Foam Brush
- Spray Paint
Get the full details and exact paint colors at Bren Did.
Faux Etched Glass
We wanted to replace the window, but found out that a new window was too EXPENSIVE!
We decided to try to disguise the outdated glass pattern with paint. The look we wanted was of soft frosted glass.
We prepared the door for painting and then frosted the glass using special spray paint (it's less than $5 a can.)
The result is a lovely frosted panel that allows light through but no longer shows the floral etching. Score one for DIY!
Changing the Color
Step two was adding color to the door. We selected a bright green color that reminds me of spring leaves poking through the flower beds.
I love that the paint came with a guarantee! (You can return the unused portion and they’ll replace it or refund your money! )
Results
Our “new” front entry looks AMAZING! The bright door color makes me smile each time I walk into the house.
Check out all the details and more pictures at Bren Did.
Resources for this project:
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Comments
Join the conversation
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I have the same spray paint at home. I have been hesitant to use it because I am afraid it will peel off. How has it held up?
Also, funny thing. I had the same EXACT front door. The door had to be replaced but I kept the glass insert. Dont know what for but eventually I will figure something out.
Oh and to the person who said you ruined the glass on the door...I HATED that part of the door because everybody could see me inside my house. I had to be careful what I was wearing and cognizant of what people could see as my neighbor across the street told me at night it was like watching a television it was so clear. So, just saying, the frost is probably for privacy
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Your neighbor, should have simply stopped peeping 👀 on you. I love blinds on the front porch, because there are times I like sitting in my wooden rocker on the porch, in my skivvies. 😂 A great place to read or nap with my cats.
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I managed to salvage a door similar to yours, and am in the process of installing it. My front door is a HORRIBLE white solid with green yukky bottom [mold?] I wish I had your oval glass insert. The one I salvaged, I had to repair the glass and I painted it to look like stained glass. I just hope it doesn't fall apart when I finally install it into the oval "frame" !! I originally removed the oval insert in it's frame, and was going to cut a hole in the white original, but my niece got the one the insert was in before they carted it away with the trash!! So I'm going to reunite it hopefully. Not an easy task, since I'm 75 and my sister and I just bought this place a year ago. Mine is painted red, but yours turned out great. Our house is painted blue with white trim, so decided to go patriotic. :o) Carol.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
Did they leave the storm door off
My front door is varnished. Does the varnish have to be stripped?
Where did you purchase your frosting for the door?? Can you tell me the name of it?