Freshening your front door curb appeal is one of the easiest things you can do to brighten the appearance of your home. It is helpful to increase your front door curb appeal because it will improve the appearance of your home, make your home more attractive to potential buyers, and make your home more welcoming to guests.
Adding unique touches to your front entrance area is also a way to show off your distinctive personality.
Ideas to Heighten Front Door Curb Appeal
Many methods of improving your curb appeal are easy, inexpensive, and can be completed with just a few hours of work. Yet some of these strategies may require professional assistance in order to complete the job correctly.
Clean the Clutter
Not much can turn off potential buyers or make your home look worse than the clutter that has built up near your front entrance. For many people, this is not the sign of a house that is well-ordered or in good repair.
Clear everything away and just put back the items that you need or want. Cleaning away the unneeded items near the front door creates the ideal opportunity to try out some new decor items. This is one of the easiest and least inexpensive ways to make your home look better.
Complete Visible Repairs
Just like clutter, needed repairs like a broken front door screen or a loose door handle are not the best look for your home. Spend some time assessing your entrance for needed small repairs. This might include tasks like pressure washing, door hardware maintenance, light bulb replacement, and weather stripping renewal. Fixing broken items doesn’t just boost your curb appeal, it is a way to create and maintain good feng shui.
Paint Your Front Door
One strategy that has a high visual impact is painting your front door. Take time to clean and prep the door. Paint a new coat of the original color or try something new. Consider the classic door colors like black, red, green, or navy.
These colors are a good place to begin your considerations if you are having a hard time deciding on a new color. Make sure to keep in mind the undertones of your home’s exterior to choose a paint color that works with your home’s color scheme.
Add New Door Hardware
New hardware can make even an old door shine. Use distinctive and unique hardware to show off your personality. Or, just choose solid door hardware that feels sturdy to the touch. Make sure that the finish and color of your new hardware complement the color and style of the door. Modern flush doors are a fitting foundation for simple and sleek hardware designs. Paneled doors have a classic or traditional look and may benefit from more sturdy and ornate hardware.
Considering color, gold or brass hardware stands out well against dark door colors like black, navy, and deep green. Silver is another good option for dark-colored doors, but it looks equally well with light-colored doors like white, sky blue, or sage green. Black hardware needs a light-colored door to stand out from the background.
Replace Outdated House Numbers
Just like new hardware can make your door look new, updated house numbers give your door or entrance a fresh look. Choose distinctive number designs that complement your home’s architectural style. House numbers work best when you pair them with your door hardware choice.
Update or Clean the Lighting
Dark entrances are not practical or welcoming. Invest in new lighting to brighten the area near your front door. You can increase the number of fixtures and/or buy new fixtures to replace the builder’s grade lighting. This will completely update the look of your front door. Be sure to hire an electrician if this is outside your skill or knowledge area.
You can also just clean the fixtures you have and replace the light bulbs for higher wattage options if you don’t have the budget to spend on new fixtures.
Add Floor Planters
Floor containers with vibrant flowers and foliage are an excellent way to add color and texture to the area near your front door. Choose a symmetrical look by framing the front door with identical planters, or use different sizes on each side or just on one side for something more asymmetric. Either style is effective.
Consider the style of your planters carefully as these can support the overall style you want to create throughout your home. The planters must also support the type of plants you want to have near your front door. Drainage holes are vital in maintaining healthy plants.
Choose front door plants that will thrive near your front door. This will depend on the light and humidity conditions of the area. Position taller plants in the rear of the planter and smaller plants toward the front. Make sure to water and fertilize to keep the plants thriving.
Invest in Door Decor
Door decor is an effective way to heighten the style of your front entrance because it is easy to add and change as needed. Front door decor options include wreaths, swags, plaques, or baskets. The style of your front door is a useful guide when considering the right door decor. Consider door decorations of natural or ornate materials for traditional or classic-style homes. Modern homeowners may opt for a more minimalist door aesthetic with streamlined door decor.
Install Window Boxes
Some front door areas lack the space for floor planters. You can still brighten your front entrance area with plants if you can add a window box near the front door.
Build window boxes in a style that complements the house, and paint them in a color that works well with the trim or door color. Make sure to install drainage holes in the boxes so the plants do not become waterlogged.
Carefully consider the plants that will work in the light and humidity conditions of the area. Like with floor planters, place taller plants in the back of the planter. Plants that spill over the edge are particularly effective in the front of window boxes. Be careful not to choose plants that are so tall that they block the window.
Enhance the Seating
Accentuate your front door area with seating. Some front door spaces may have just enough room for one piece of seating furniture and in others, you may be able to add a collection of benches and chairs. Whatever your space, you can make the seating look more welcoming with comfortable cushions that invite lounging. Add a throw blanket for those chilly evenings and a small table to rest a glass or book. Candles and plants can also help to fill out this space.
Pay Attention to the Path
The path leading toward your front door can be just as influential in affecting the look of your home as the front door itself. Be sure to maintain your front path by sweeping, weeding, and pressure washing it. Fix any small cracks in the pavement so that the path does not develop larger structural issues.
You might also choose to enhance the path leading toward the front door if you want to create a more striking visual impact. Add new eye-catching plants and flowers along the walkway. You can also add walkway lights. These improve pathway visibility at night and make it more welcoming. Choose solar-powered or low-wattage landscape lighting for the easiest maintenance.
