Front Door Styling

I wanted to write a post about styling your front door because it’s an area of the home that can often be overlooked in terms of maintenance and décor, yet it is so important because it really can transform the entire look of your home.   It’s also the first impression a visitor has upon arrival – when we approach a front door we’re already subconsciously forming some sort of opinion about the owner’s home and how it reflects their personality.

Spring is the perfect time to give the front of our home a quick refresh, but with today’s busy schedules, we don’t all have bags of time to spend doing it.  So how do we create that fabulous first impression of our home, and quickly?  Here are some easy and instant updates you can make over a weekend to show your front door a bit of love and bump up the kerb appeal while you’re at it.

Colour

It’s an obvious place to start, but a fresh lick of paint will brighten up a tired front door no end and it really is the work of a weekend afternoon to complete this task.  Before you paint a wooden door, be sure to buff it first with a heavier grade sandpaper, then prime it so that the final effect is smooth and durable.  If you have a stunning period door complete with a beautiful stained glass feature, most colours will look good on it so choose something that you really love and which best reflects your personal home décor style, otherwise you will soon tire of it.  For an elegant entryway, soft muted greys and pale greens are very on trend right now and look sophisticated and clean, especially against golden stone.  Try Farrow & Ball Pigeon for a green/grey tinge or I really like French Grey.  Black is a classic choice that goes with any style of house and it won’t date, so it’s perfect if you don’t fancy repainting it any time soon, but how about opting for a bluer hint, such as Farrow & Ball’s Railings (below) for a classy door that really makes a statement?  If your front door is an unusual shape or style, let it really speak out by painting it a bright cheery red such as Sanderson’s Firecracker Light.  Blue is sometimes perceived as a cold and unwelcoming colour, however I think the right blue can look stunning, in particular Little Greene’s Celestial Blue is a beautiful shade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image Source: Unknown

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image Source: Farrow & Ball

Do consider the orientation of your front door before choosing a paint, as muted colours in particular can look different on a north-facing door as compared to a south-facing one.  The colour will also vary in density as the light changes from morning to evening, so it’s worth painting a few samples on and surveying them over a few days.

Green it up

Whether it’s a pair of formal bay trees or a haphazard cluster of ceramic pots bursting with blooms that does it for you, any amount of greenery at and around a front door will soften the overall look of your home and make it much more welcoming.  For a striking and summery complementary scheme, pair a pot of red geraniums with a deep blue painted door.  It’s a classic look that always works and puts you in mind of a Mediterranean summer.  Or for an English cottage style, try placing pretty pink and white hyacinths beside a sage green door.  This looks stunning against a red brick backdrop as shown below.  Isn’t it so inviting?  I love this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image Source: Little Greene

Accessorise

The small details can often be what sets your front door apart from others.  It can be as simple a step as replacing a worn down doormat or you may decide to invest in some new brassware.  Check out Dunelm Mill for good value doormats such as this one which I think is sweet.  For a bolder welcome, try this one from Next which dips into the monochrome trend.  For new door furniture head to John Lewis or B&Q for their good selections of door knobs, knockers and other brassware to suit most tastes and budgets.  If you prefer, you can easily restore tarnished door hardware to its former glory by giving it a good old clean and shine – this article gives some handy tips for doing so and is helpful if you wish to keep period features alive.

Image Source: Mark Dodds / Flickr

Make sure guests can easily find you by placing a number plaque beside or on your door.  A contemporary number can look very effective on the wall beside your door or you can opt for a more traditional style in brass.  Not On The High Street has some really different house number styles to choose from.

Lighting

Update your outdoor lighting to add ambience and reflect your home’s design personality.  There is a wonderful array of outdoor lighting on the high street to choose from, but be sure to pick a design that nicely complements the overall look of your entranceway.  Choose a nautical style such as a fisherman’s lantern or wall mounted glass box lantern.  John Lewis has a good selection here.  For a modern, sleeker style, opt for designs in matte black or galvanised metal.

Seasonal Style

It may also depend of course on the season as to how you can decorate your front doorway to best effect.  Hanging wreaths are not just reserved for the weeks leading up to Christmas any longer.  How about a pretty Spring wreath such as the one below from here – the colours are absolutely beautiful and it’s hard to believe the flowers are artificial!  A very simple wicker wreath can offer a hint of understated elegance (I love this one) or you can find similar at local garden centres.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image Source: Etsy

The golden rule with dressing your front door is that less is usually more.  Keep an eye out for front doors that appeal to you and you will soon find what ticks the boxes for you.  After all, it’s you who will be trekking in and out of your door the most, so you need to love it!

K x