When to Update Your Front Door

Like an opening to a play, your front door sets the stage for the entire house.  Your front door is the first impression you will make on your guests, so make it count!  The last thing you would want is for your guests to develop a case of the entryway blues.  Yes, entryway blues is a real thing! Have you ever got excited about visiting a new restaurant or place you had high hopes about? Maybe you researched it online or took a chance and decided to try something new.  You approach the entrance way and just by seeing the door and it’s surroundings, it already failed to meet your expectations in a Bates Motel sort of way.  The lighting was dim, the door looked worn down, and the overall lack of luster just brought you from 100 to 0 real quick.  That’s a typical case of entryway blues.  

What most people who aren’t immediately wowed by a front entry way of a home don’t realize is, beyond the entryway, there’s actually a beautiful, warm, and inviting home.  It was merely the door that was in dire need of updating.  It’s easy for homeowners to overlook the need to update the front door because to them, it’s there for two main reasons:  1) A place to come and go through and 2) To keep the home secure.  Homeowners can become immune to the style of their front door and may not immediately realize it’s completely outdated because it still functions the way they need it to. It opens and closes, so what’s the problem? A front door is actually so much more than that  It sets the tone for what your guests can expect when they arrive and not only that, it sets the mood of your home and how you will be greeted when you arrive after a long drive or a stressful day at work.  Now that you’re starting to see the other side of things, you may start to realize your door is no longer setting the tone that you want.

These 10 easy-to-please ideas to enhance your front door might just inspire you to up your home’s curb appeal:

PAINT IT

Never underestimate the power of colour.  A pop of a bold refreshing paint that contrasts evenly with the siding and trim is an easy way to instantly revamp a tired doorway.  Colour is everything so choose accordingly to best suit your home’s style as opposed to sticking out like a sore thumb!

LIGHT THE WAY

Open up your front entryway by installing full length windows on either side of the door.  It brings in the light, brightens up the entire area, and looks fabulous.  It’s highly attractive and inviting for all guests and elevates your home architectural style.

How’s your lighting during the night? Bright lighting is essential for the security of the home.  Use bright lighting around the front door area, a sensor light can help to manage the cost of energy while using dim lighting along the walkway area.

POTS AND PLANTS

Nothing breathes the life back into an entryway better than some healthy vegetation. It’s what will give your home that alluring look, and a magazine finish.  Use high standing pots and tall plants on either side of your door to supply that grand entrance feel, pair it with floral arrangements to add a delicate touch of colour and brightness.

ROLL OUT A RUG

A rug is what will tie in the entire area, it’s so basic yet has so much purpose.  It’s what will give your front door a more livable and welcoming look.  Swap out your old dingy rug and lay out something trendy for your guests to really sink their feet into.

STATEMENT HOUSE NUMBERS

This is totally trending right now.  Bold, oversized, house numbers in a stylish and traditional font make a highly noticeable statement to pretty much any passerby.  Aside from local hardware stores, you can find unique and modern handcrafted house numbers on Etsy, including customizable options.  They can be affixed in so many creative ways including on the door or on a planter affixed to the brick beside the door.

NEW HARDWARE

New hardware will make a world of a difference.  Upgrade your doors style and security with a brand new knob, lock, and hardware in top metal finishes.  Find a style that provides a cohesive look with your light fixtures and mailbox for added flair.  

An antique-style door knocker is a traditional yet fabulous piece to add to any modern home.  You don’t see them too often anymore but they certainly are a classic beauty.  You’d be surprised how many people would completely ignore the doorbell and go for the knocker.  A great alternative for families with little ones who nap during the day or pets who get excited when they hear a doorbell.

GET RID OF THE SQUEAK

Got the squeaks? There’s a quick fix for that. Applying some sort of lubricating oil on the door hinge usually fixes the door squeak right away. You can use olive oil, butter, paraffin candles, WD-40 spray, petroleum jelly, or simply a bar of bath soap.

STREAMLINE THE ACCESSORIES

REPLACE IT

If you don’t love your door because it’s old, drafty, worn and beyond it’s years, it’s time to replace it.  

Here are 6 signs that your door needs to be replaced:

1. You feel a drafts coming through the door
2. The frame is broken or peeling
3. You have trouble open, closing, or locking the door
4. You see light coming through a closed door
5. Your energy bills are unusually high
6. Your doors are plain ugly!

Almost every component of the home will need updating or replacing at some point over time.  Your front door is fortunately one of the things that will give you many years of service before you have to consider replacing it.  Remember, your front door sets the first and last impression of anyone you comes knocking.  While style and budget are a good thing to consider, any improvement you can make to your home’s most prominent feature is going to be worth the investment of time and money.

Overall, the best advice on how to make the best decisions when choosing your new replacement exterior door  is to make sure you are confident in the abilities of the door replacement company you choose.  The professionals you are connected with is the best way to make sure you are completely satisfied with the outcome.