Jessica Alba uses this front door hue to make an elegant first impression – estate experts say it adds curb appeal to every home

This 'safe but statement choice' has eternal approval among real estate professionals – and Alba's house exterior is the perfect inspiration point

Jessica Alba
(Image credit: Ernesto Ruscio via Getty Images)

If celebrities and real estate agents can agree on one thing, it's the power of a timeless front door color – and nothing sets the standard quite like Jessica Alba's black front door.

The Honey actress, seen below, opted for a moody yet elegant front door color that, estate experts say, has the eternal power to boost curb appeal – and improve house value. To accentuate its power yet further, Alba has carried this hue beyond her front door to her home's entire façade – but getting the look begins with the door.

'The black front door adds instant curb appeal to the home with a timeless, sleek look that many buyers are drawn to. This color is very versatile and can go with different types of architectural styles, contemporary to traditional, making this a safe but statement choice,' comments Saddat Abid, an expert from Property Saviour.

Unsurprisingly, Abid is not exclusive in his observations. Kate Terrigno, a real estate expert with Corcoran HM Properties in Charlotte, NC, explains how the last few years have seen a 'drastic increase in white and black colors' and exteriors that exhibit a 'high contrast,' similar to the modern farmhouse aesthetic.

'We are seeing the trend of clients painting the exterior of the home with and pairing it with a stark contrast of by adding black trimmed windows and black front doors to significantly enhance a home's curb appeal and potentially increase its value,' Terrigno comments.

'It adds a touch of elegance and sophistication, often creating a strong, welcoming focal point with a fresh look. We see daily how these small aesthetic touches can truly change the home's curb appeal and lead to properties selling for higher prices compared to other colors, as they tend to convey a sense of luxury and style.'

Glossy black front door surrounded by foliage

(Image credit: Dmitry Vl. Smirnov / Alamy Stock Photo)

As mentioned, Alba has painted her entire home's exterior in an elegant black hue, but keeping the rest of our home lighter won't harm our curb appeal. In fact, Abid explains that this contrast can only improve our home's appeal to potential buyers.

'A dark front door contrasts beautifully with lighter-colored exteriors to give a more inviting and noticeable entrance,' he says.

'Following this research was another study, this time on how homes with black or charcoal gray doors sell more on average with $6,271. It also picks up dirt and wears much slower than lighter colors, which means that it will still look good much longer and will require less maintenance.'


Shop H&G's exterior edit

Creating the right first impression goes beyond our front door. Here are some of our current must-haves, including a sample of our go-to exterior black paint, naturally.

Megan Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens, where she leads the celebrity/ news team. She has a history in interior design, travel, and news journalism, having lived and worked in New York, Paris, and, currently, London. Megan has bylines in Livingetc, The Telegraph, and IRK Magazine, and has interviewed the likes of Drew Barrymore, Ayesha Curry, Michelle Keegan, and Tan France, among others. She lives in a London apartment with her antique typewriter and an eclectic espresso cup collection, and dreams of a Kelly Wearstler-designed home.