First impressions are important, and the state of a front door can say a lot about you and your home. So whether you’re remodeling to put your home on the market or just giving your home a fresh new makeover, you always want to include the front door in your designs.
Finding the right front door to match your home’s aesthetic is important, but how do you do that correctly? Let’s take a look.
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How to Choose Your Front Door Style
When deciding what you want your front door to look like, the most important thing is to determine what style, color, and textures work best with your home’s exterior, interior, and type.
For example, if you have a traditional or historic home, you won’t want a modern glass door. Instead, you always want the front door to match the house and the property itself.
You can also consider upgrading to a door that will help you cut down on energy costs. Energy-efficient doors are very on-trend with homeowners looking to upgrade or update their front doors. If you’re looking for an energy-efficient door, ensure the door you choose has the correct fit and sufficient insulation.
Additionally, always remember to keep resale value in mind; a front door will make a lasting impression on a potential buyer.
Traditional & Original Front Door Styles
The simplicity of a traditional front door makes it a popular choice that goes well with many types of homes. Conventional and sturdy, they make great front doors for cottage and ranch styles, historic houses, homes near forests, and more.
Although some traditional front doors are made from uPVC, usually a traditional front door is made from one-of-a-kind timber so that no door is the same. If you’re looking to add a traditional front door, ensure you pick wood that is of good quality; outstanding craftsmanship is a huge plus to buyers and ups your curb appeal.
A traditional front door often features panels or lights beside the door to bring natural light into the home. These heavy doors provide a fantastic layer of security as well.
Additionally, if you have a historic home with an original door, you may not be able to replace it, only restore it. Not only does having the original front door add character to the home, but it is a huge plus to have the authentic door if you’re looking to sell eventually. If a home is registered as a landmark or historic home, check with your local historical society before making any changes.
Modern Front Door Styles
Modern doors are popular for contemporary homes and pair well with modern homes with wood paneling. Modern doors typically are flat, solid doors in either wood or steel, some with horizontal panels. Modern steel doors have smooth, clean lines and soft edges add to any minimalist or modern aesthetic.
Large, modern front doors are on-trend because of the bold statements they make. For instance, 10ft doors are quickly becoming the norm for contemporary homes. If you want to add an architecturally striking element to the house, consider adding an oversized door.
Modern, custom steel doors are ideal for large doors because they’re secure and look great on a pivot. Adding a large door on a pivot is often a popular choice because of how clean the lines are and the elegance of how the door swings open and closed.
However, depending on how large a home is, it may not necessarily be oversized— a traditionally sized door may be too small, making a large door a better fit. If that’s the case, you can feel free to play with the size of your door and go as big as you’d like.
Add Texture to Your Front Door
One way to add a unique style to your traditional or modern front door is to pick the right door texture. A texture can include steel, wood, uPVC, timber, or composite options.
Wood and steel doors can be painted, stained, or be left unpainted for a natural look. You also have wood options like cedar and oak, which are quite popular, sturdy materials. Timber doors work well with traditional or modern aesthetics and are very thermally efficient.
Although wood makes attractive, secure front doors, they are prone to warping, meaning they will need regular maintenance to keep up their appearance and efficiency.
uPVC, or unplasticized polyvinyl chloride, is a budget-friendly option that can be used as a substitute for painted wood. Therefore, it doesn’t warp and is a cheaper choice, but it isn’t as secure as a timber door.
Composite material is another excellent door texture consisting of glass-reinforced plastic, steel, and polyurethane. This option also mimics the look and feel of timber but without the risk of warping. It is also very thermally efficient and secure, but it is a bit more pricey.
Add a Pop of Color to the Front Door
If you want to add color to your traditional or modern front door, make sure it matches the type and style of the home and the surrounding plants, pots, and outdoor decor. Some popular colors include:
Pastel
Colors like sage green, lavender, or periwinkle are great complementary colors, especially for a cottage-style home or a house surrounded by lush foliage. It can add a dreamy, quaint feeling to many homes as long as the style matches the color.
Bold and bright
Another way to add to your curb appeal is to make a statement with a front door. Reds, cobalt blue, yellow, and even pink are currently trending colors. Yellow is an overall favorite because it matches many aesthetics and color schemes and is bright and cheery.
Darks and neutrals
Black, gray, cream, and navy blue are also popular colors that work well with many types. If you don’t want the front door or exterior to be too busy, neutrals and deep rich colors are the way to go. Many modern styles and minimalist homes are well suited for these colors.
Of course, you can pick any color you like best. If you want an eyecatching traditional front door or a modern front door in a neutral, muted color, choose which one works best with your vision and design.
Up Your Home’s Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is crucial whether you’re actively trying to sell a home or not. You always want your door to make a great impression on visitors and potential future buyers. So you’ll want to pick a front door that meshes well with the overall aesthetic of the home.
Additionally, you can up the visual appeal by adding matching planters, lighting, or complementary furniture and decor around the door. Frame it symmetrically for a pleasing look that your guests will love. Whether you’re opting for a traditional or modern front door, using any mix of the tips in this article will add to your overall curb appeal.