Homes with a red front door sale faster on average than any other color front door. Having a red door is said to represent various qualities that may make a home more appealing to prospective buyers.

So what does having a red door mean? There is no one origin for the red front door. Here are a few meanings for you to consider before deciding to paint yours.

Red in almost every culture means welcome. In early America, a red door was always a sign of welcome to passer by’s. It signified that they would be welcome to stop and stay the night or rest. It is also said to have been a sign of a safe house for the Underground Railroad.

In Feng Shui a red front door also means welcome. Feng Shui is the Chinese philosophy in which the arrangement and color of objects in a room relate to the flow of energy. The front door is where the energy enters.

In China, it is tradition to paint your door red just before the new year. It is believed to invite good luck and happiness into your home.

In Ireland, having a red door is said to ward off ghosts and evil spirits. In Scotland, it is tradition for homeowners to paint their front door red to signify that they have paid off their mortgage.

The color red looks great on all types of homes as well as works with many different colors. Finding the perfect shade is your next step in bringing your front door to life.