Use front door
Use Front Door Sign - Etsy.de
Etsy is no longer supporting older versions of your web browser in order to ensure that user data remains secure. Please update to the latest version.
Take full advantage of our site features by enabling JavaScript.
Find something memorable, join a community doing good.
(594 relevant results)
the essential guide to front doors and exteriors |
(Image credit: Erika Bonnell Interiors/Stacy Zarin Goldberg)
First impressions are everything, so make sure your front door is a good one – outside and in – with our favorite front door ideas. Whatever your space or budget, there are many ideas to make a difference to your own humble front door.
Walk down the average street and you might well detect the first stirrings of a quiet, but distinctive, design revolution. The front door, that most practical but often overlooked element of our homes, is undergoing a transformation.
Narrow openings are being replaced by generously proportioned doors on weighty pivot hinges. On period exteriors, demure door furniture is ceding to overscaled ironmongery fashioned from rich bronze or brass in to shapes worthy of a modern sculpture gallery.
Elsewhere, deep paint hues and imaginative lighting are ensuring that the entrance to our home is no longer a decorative afterthought, left to the last phase of a building project, but an integral part of both the look and feel of the whole property.
For interior designers such as Monique Tollgard the front porch ideas are also a prelude for the style that lies within: ‘The entrance is the first encounter for you, your guests and your home.
The materials and colors we use allows us to introduce the "red thread" or guiding motif of the house immediately.’
Fellow interior designer Karen Howes agrees: ‘The front door can say so much about the owner: it can be relaxed and welcoming or more formal. For us, the front door is so important; it is the start of the story and first and last impressions are so important.’
Front door ideas
These front door ideas are a great starting point to help you choose the right one for your home – what you choose should still reflect the age of your home, the existing finishes of your house, your existing front yard landscaping ideas, and what your neighbors have.
1. Create a scheme you love
(Image credit: Future)
It’s an odd thing but one of the most important areas of our property is the one that’s often overlooked. Considering we use our front door almost every day, it should be the one place we notice all the time – just as we admire what other people wear and their outward appearance, houses, too, can grab our attention with a smart or pretty exterior.
Take a fresh look at your front door and give it a little lift with a seasonal makeover. Try a new lick of color for a more dramatic look, or perhaps a planter or pots of flowers on your steps to add natural color.
2. Paint the door in your favorite color
(Image credit: Erika Bonnell Interiors/Stacy Zarin Goldberg)
Start by taking a look at the overall color of your property – what material is it made from and do you want it to match the window frames? Try to choose a shade that suits the house – it can still be a strong choice but it needs to complement rather than work against the walls.
Check to see if your surrounding walls or porch need cleaning-up and if it’s a dark area, then painting it a pale color will help lighten the area.
Make a statement and hint at what’s hidden inside. Gloss black, navy, white, racing green and pillar-box red are the classics, but thanks to softer shades and eggshell finishes you can stay on trend even in conservation areas.
When considering how to paint a front door, it’s important to coordinate the door with the rest of the house, suggests Rebecca Thompson, Dulux’s Color Designer. ‘Look closely at the underlying hues within your walls and natural surroundings to ensure they don’t clash. Red brick goes best with charcoal or earthy tones. Bricks with a yellow/cream hue work with classic blues or greens. Neutral or grey exteriors allow you to be even more adventurous with vibrant shades of red and blue.’
Get inspiration from your neighbors, too, and try for a unified look. A street with complementary tones looks more appealing than a hotch-potch of colors.
3. Light the front door
(Image credit: Chris Everard)
Investing in a good front porch lighting ideas for the outside is not only a welcoming sight but makes a house secure and well maintained for visitors. Place a light in a porch for a warm glow, or make a feature of a light on a side wall, to highlight a bell or number.
(Image credit: Polly Eltes)
4. Add greenery around the front door
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Introducing a little greenery to the outside instantly brightens up a space. Even a humble hanging basket will make a difference. If you have a windowsill, add simple planters and if space allows, large ceramic or zinc pots either side of a door helps frame an entrance.
5. Focus on the details
(Image credit: Dan Duchars)
How much is a new front door, and is it worth it? The short answer is yes. But if you budget doesn't stretch to a complete new front door, worry not. Even the most modest of front doors can be lifted with a few changes, but if painting your door isn’t an option, small details such as adding frosted or patterned film to glass panels or changing a door number could be all that is needed to make a difference.
6. Choose the right door furniture
(Image credit: Westbury Windows & Joinery)
As a rule, choose door furniture that’s in keeping with the style and age of your home.
Large ornate letter plates and knockers will look odd on anything other than a similarly proportioned door.
Simpler contemporary designs in a classic finish such as polished brass or nickel will freshen up period doorways. Modern designs tend to be simpler, based around brushed aluminium and steel finishes. For a more rustic country feel, wrought iron is ideal.
‘It’s important to decide on a style and finish and keep this consistent across all fixtures,’ advises Vanessa Allan, Marketing Manager for Samuel Heath.
‘Contemporary door furniture is often defined by its simplicity, with clear-cut lines and a streamlined finish, whilst classic pieces often have ornate detailing and sculpted features.’
7. Clear the clutter around the front door
(Image credit: Polly Eltes)
Give the surrounding area a good clean and clear out any items that might be in the way. Even polishing a letterbox or door knocker will do a world of good. Look at simple ideas such as investing in a new house name or number sign, or perhaps a couple of planters either side of the door.
8. Pretty up the entrance
(Image credit: Future)
A hanging basket can add color as can a new doormat and even changing the door handle will bring a little sparkle to your home. Take a look at other house exteriors local to you, and note which ones catch your attention and why they work.
8. Enhance privacy around the front door
(Image credit: CM Natural Designs/Carley Summers )
Use frosted film – or well-placed furniture and furnishings – if you want some privacy or to highlight your house number. There is a fantastic range of patterns and options available, so take the opportunity to introduce wonderful designs and even colors to your door.
9. Keep the front door the focus by hiding clutter
(Image credit: Dan Duchars)
Garbage bins are a necessary fixture outside our homes, but if you have the budget, get a simple wooden storage that will transform the exterior by hiding the bins inside. Why not paint it to match your front door?
11.
Replace tiles or lay a pathway to the front door(Image credit: Brent Darby)
Remember, a quick makeover could be all it needs to make a difference to the pathway leading up to your front door. If you live in a period property it might be worthwhile replacing tiles. Other paths could benefit from cracks being fixed, levelling or a lick of floor paint.
12. Put seating by the front door
(Image credit: Brent Darby)
This, of course, looks wonderful and sets the scene of a front garden that's made for more than just accessing the front door but it's also practical – it gives you somewhere to perch while you take off muddy shoes after a walk.
13. Install railings to the front door
(Image credit: Alicia Taylor)
This has a functional appeal, obviously, but installing railings either side of the steps up to a front door that match the period and style of the house really does serve to draw the eye towards the door itself.
14.
Find a reconditioned period front doorPhotography: Alicia Taylor
(Image credit: Future)
If you live in a period property and your current door is the original, it’s always worth trying to preserve it for as long as possible. Repair, re-glaze and re-paint before considering replacing it.
But if your door is more recent and not to your taste, there are several options – to choose from, from modern designs and bespoke joinery to reproductions and reclaimed originals.
15. Ensure the front door matches your property's period
Photography: Camilla Reynolds
(Image credit: Future)
Preserving your homes' architectural history is currently the most prolific front door trend around. Period homes would have originally sported one of the following styles:
Georgian (1700-1800) – Large and imposing with a simple six panel design and decorative fanlight above. Popular colors at the time were white, black, or dark green.
As the period went on, glass panels became more popular.
Victorian age (1837-1901) – Everyone wanted Oak but many doors were made of softwood and painted, or stained to imitate it. The doors would have been panelled into four or six sections and often featured elaborate stained or etched glass and heavy door furniture. White, brown, dark blue, dark red and olive green were popular colors.
Arts & Crafts (1880-1920) – Look out for gothic designs with iron hinges, simple carved designs, art nouveau and Queen Anne detailing.
Edwardian (1901-10) – Two tone colors, wider entrances, glazed decorative side panels added to the grandeur. Elaborate stained glass was also popular.
Art Deco (1910-1939) – Oval or square windows occupying the top third make this period instantly recognisable. Door handles were also fitted higher up with three vertical panels in the lower two thirds.
Modern – Horizontal lines, geometric shapes, side lights and Hollywood inspired chrome all influenced early modern designs.
If you’re looking for an original door the salvage yard is a perfect place to start. Often rescued from demolitions, you can find beautiful designs with natural ageing that could fit your house like a glove. Pick up original furniture and accessories to complete the look too.
‘If you find a front door in a salvage yard it will generally be in good condition as it will have been rescued from a demolition project,’ explains Amanda Garrett from architectural salvage experts Lassco. ‘At first sight they can seem expensive but they will always be cheaper than a custom made one,’ she says.
16. Pick wood for a warm welcome
Photography: Polly Eltes
(Image credit: Future)
Wooden doors look beautiful and enjoy an unmatched reputation. Look for FSC hardwood to ensure it is sustainably sourced. Wood can be re-painted and trimmed, but requires maintenance. Modern designs are thermally efficient, but reclaimed doors won’t last as long or keep out the draughts as well.
Timber doors have been proven to add value to a home. ‘Timber patio doors, for example, offer some of the best sightlines, as timber is an inherently strong material which means frames can be slimmer and less chunky, which enables more light to filter into a property,’ says Chris Miller, Product Manager at JELD-WEN.
17. Factor in front door security
Photography: Tom St Aubyn
(Image credit: Future)
Garden security lighting for your front door is, and will always be important, so be sure to factor this in before undertaking any front door design projects.
A basic rim or Yale latch isn’t enough, you will also need a 5 or even 7 lever mortice deadlock. The strongest locks are made to British Standard 3621/80. These locks are often found on some front and back doors in the home. Some insurance companies will require door locks to be fitted to this standard. ‘Look for the Secured by Design logo,’ says Amanda Garett. ‘It shows security products meet the high standards of the police and insurance industry.
’
18. Create a contemporary appeal
Photography: Mel Yates
(Image credit: Future)
The latest generation of folding, patio and bi-fold doors can transform your space, bringing the outside in, illuminating dark corners and creating a fantastic vista.
French doors – A classic feature offering garden access and abundance of natural light, but unlike their modern counterparts don’t invite the outside in as much.
Folding sliding doors – With floor to ceiling fastenings, efficient double glazing and a range of widths on offer you can now enjoy expansive views and allow the home to be opened up to the landscape. The ingenious folding/closing mechanism also means you can just use one single door during bad weather.
Sliding doors – Patio style doors are easy to use and allow huge windows without the framework blocking light. The latest hi-tech designs can be installed so the panels slide away from view and even fitted with remote controls.
19. Paint the interior of the front door
(Image credit: Future)
So often overlooked, front doors inside the house are the perfect opportunity to boost your entryway ideas and decorating scheme. Pick a color that matches the flooring or hallway wallpaper to create a cohesive look. Ideally it will match the color of the front door outside, although this is not a must.
20. Hang a curtain over the front door
(Image credit: Vanessa Arbuthnott)
Hanging a front door curtain is a smart idea if you have an old home with an original front door that's likely to be less energy efficient than you might like. However, it's also a wonderful opportunity to add color and character to your small entryway with fabric and pattern.
How can I make my front door look nice?
Judicious lighting adds to the air of enticement. In place of glaring floodlights, designers now layer conventional sources like lanterns with discrete downlights or tiny concealed step lights for a soft glow.
Clever lighting will accent even the simplest planting schemes; drawing the eye to the prettier aspects of your facade while obscuring practical elements such as bins or bikestands.
And underfoot, the array of stone or ceramics has never been wider: soft, Portland stone is a perennial for approaches but Victorian encaustic tiles are also making a comeback.
Add planters in burnished copper, painted timber or rustic earthenware, a cohesive color scheme and flourish of bold ironmongery and you have all the ingredients of a front door that is not simply practical but personal.
As interior designer Harriet Anstruther concludes: ‘Your door can be so revealing; it’s the threshold to your castle symbolizing whether you want your home to a retreat, or a talking point.’
What is the best color for a front door?
The ever-expanding palette of external paint colors and finishes allows you to create beguiling visual links between the door and facade. For traditional rural properties, soft greys or greens can be echoed on window frames or sprayed on to guttering for all-in-one chic; another ploy is to use subtly different paint tones to link doors, planters or porches.
In town, window frames and metalwork look pin-sharp when picked out in deep black to echo doors and joinery.
For traditional porches, designer Emma Pocock of Turner Pocock favors vivid hues which link exterior with interior; her own Victorian house features a zingy mustard- yellow porch to match the wallpaper of her entryway.
What front door is best?
For security and durability, Accoya (a chemically treated hardwood) and oak are popular choices for front doors. Traditional door specialists like Voysey and Jones will produce doors to match the period of your home complete with ‘antiqued’ brass door furniture for timeless appeal.
For contemporary facades, companies like Silvelox or Urban Front lead the way with wide, pared-down doors in striking unpainted woods such as American Black walnut, wenge or modish Fumed Oak with glazed panels and pivot hinges completing the look.
‘Always consider the location of your house before you decide,’ says Urban Front designer Elizabeth Assaf.
‘A south-facing house will demand a harder wood and it’s always a good idea to get samples and hold them up to the facade to gauge the effect.‘
On a similar note, Yolande Hesse of Back to Front architects says: ‘Avoid blacks or dark grey paints on south facing front doors as the color retains the heat causing the wood to literally boil and crack.’
The conventional lion knocker in gleaming brass still cuts a dash on period doors but for exterior artistry look to companies such as Nanz who excel at bespoke, sculptural shapes as striking as a piece of beautiful jewellery.
Scale matters: one larger piece will have more punch than fiddlier fittings. When choosing the finish, lighting and door fittings specialist Charles Edwards counsels: ‘The age of your house needn’t dictate the style of ironmongery: if your interior is contemporary then a nickel or chrome finish will work well with period joinery. Equally, a mellow rural exterior will be better complemented by softer antique tones such as bronze or brass.
'
For practicality says Charles: ‘Chrome is the hardiest finish requiring little or no maintenance.’
Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.
The front door of the house
The front door is the main entrance and exit for the flow of qi energy. In an ideal situation, qi is accumulated and distributed in the space in front of the house, and its flows are activated by the movement of people entering and leaving.
In ancient China, the front door was called the “mouth of the house”, through which all positive and negative energy passes.
First of all, you should make sure that there are no “secret arrows” directed at the front door. To do this, stand in front of the door and look around. Pay attention to any sharp corners, drains, satellite dishes, lampposts, or spiers directing negative sha energy toward the front door.
Obstacles to the front door impair feng shui. If there is not enough room in front of the door for the accumulation of qi, this can be corrected by painting the door in the color of the direction in which it opens, or by hanging a lantern over it to illuminate the space in front of the door well.
The location of the front door at the foot of the stairs is considered unfavorable for the health of family members. An easy way to avoid negative impacts is to raise the threshold by 1-2 centimeters so that you have to step over it when entering the house. The same remedy can be used if the door leads to an elevator, as this also impedes the free movement of qi.
If the front door is at the top of the stairs, tenants may find that they don't hold money for long. In such cases, it is recommended to hang a medium-sized round or octagonal mirror above the door to reflect negative energy.
Front door direction
The sector of the house where the front door is located, as well as the direction in which it faces, is associated with the head of the family. Traditionally, in a Chinese family, the eldest man has always been the head. These days, of course, this is not always the case, so you need to think and decide if this direction meets your needs and the desires of your partner.
If the front door faces northwest, it is considered a good direction for the father and the oldest man in the family. It will favor such qualities as leadership and dignity of this family member, trust and respect for him from other residents.
The north-facing door creates a peaceful lifestyle for the inhabitants of the house.
However, there is a possibility that calmness will turn into lethargy and apathy and eventually develop into mutual alienation. If you are concerned about this, you can enter the qualities of the opposite element to activate other characteristics of chi energy. Add a touch of the earth element to the water element, such as painting the door brown or ocher yellow, or hanging a small crystal in the hallway.
In the northeast, the energies are quite volatile, and residents of houses whose front doors face in this direction are likely to be actively affected by external forces. But if other indications of feng shui are favorable, this direction is great for young people who want to expand their knowledge and get an education.
East direction is also favorable for young people, especially if they are just starting their careers and dream of realizing their ideas and aspirations. It promises a bright future for those involved in business and commercial transactions.
The southeast direction of the front door is favorable for those who want to improve their financial situation.
Progress will be slow but sure, and peace and prosperity will reign in the family.
The door that faces south promotes active life and social activities, helps those who aspire to recognition and even fame. However, in such a situation, one should proceed with caution, since self-indulgence can create a tense atmosphere and lead to quarrels in the family. If necessary, moderate the fire by adding symbols of the element of water to this direction.
If the front door faces southwest, this is considered the most favorable for the mother of the family. The southwestern direction promotes strong and harmonious family relationships, although there is a danger that the mother's personality will become too dominant and intrusive, destroying the overall harmony. To soften this effect, you can bring in colors or symbols associated with the tree.
The west-facing door is good for families with small children, it provides the best opportunity for their quick creative development.
This direction is also associated with romantic feelings and pleasure. However, you need to make sure that your hobbies do not lead to excessive expenses. Here you can add some stability given by the earth element.
Entrance door shape and color
After setting the direction of the main door of the house, you should choose a color or shade that matches this direction in order to maintain the qualities of one or another element. For example, if you want to emphasize the quality of the stability of a southwest-facing door, you can paint it red; if the inhabitants of the house are more in need of family harmony, you can choose brown or yellow. If circumstances change, the door can always be repainted using spawn cycle elements.
If the door faces west or northwest, then the qualities of the main element - metal can be enhanced with white, gold or silver tint, and yellow or brown can be used for support. Do not use red, blue and black colors.
North facing door can be painted blue, black or white as you choose. Avoid brown, yellow and green colors.
If the door faces northeast or southwest, use brown or yellow as the main color and red or orange as the secondary color. Green and white colors are not recommended.
For a door facing east or southeast, the best colors are green, black or blue, not white.
South facing door can be painted red or green; blue and black cannot be used. To a lesser extent, yellow and brown should be avoided.
In addition, you can use the forms associated with the main five elements to improve the quality of qi passing through the front door.
Door shape according to the five elements:
If your front door faces north, use water symbols to enhance its cleansing properties and metal symbols for strength and support.
If the front door faces east and southeast, you can use tree symbols to activate opportunities for growth and development, and water symbols to cleanse and renew.
If the front door faces south, the symbols of fire will give liveliness and good spirits to the inhabitants of the house. Additionally, tree element symbols can be used.
If the front door faces southwest and northeast, earth element symbols accentuate its stability. As additional, you can use the symbols of the element fire.
If the front door faces west and northwest, metal symbols will give it strength and strength. Additionally, you can use the symbols of the earth element.
Front door style
Since the front door is designed to protect the house, it should be solid and strong, but never glass. In addition, it should be the largest in the house in order to ensure the maximum flow of qi energy into the living quarters. In height, it should exceed the tallest member of the family. In this case, no one will experience inconvenience when entering the house or going out.
It's good if the front door opens into the house.
If it opens outward, it is better to hang it by placing hinges on the other side. This is what Feng Shui masters think.
If there are windows on the sides of the front door, then the qi energy, having entered the house through the door, can freely exit through them, bypassing the house. In this case, lace curtains on the windows or potted plants on the windowsill will protect you.
Where does the front door open
Ideally, the front door should be hung from the side closest to the wall of the house or apartment and open towards this wall. This creates a sense of space and promotes good feng shui in the hallway. If the door is hung on the opposite side, the person entering is momentarily enclosed and feels uncomfortable.
If the front door is opposite the back door (that is, the “back door”), this creates a powerful flow of qi, which, passing through the house, practically does not stop in it. To correct the situation, it is necessary to install barriers in the form of mirrors, screens or decorative lattices on the way of qi movement.
If it is difficult to build a physical barrier between the front door and the back door, you can improve the situation by hanging a curtain in front of the second door. Moreover, it does not have to be a heavy velvet curtain, it is too expensive for a corridor, an ordinary muslin curtain, which has an attractive appearance, is also suitable.
Entering any building, be it your home, your friends' home or even your work space, you immediately feel how harmonious the interior is. If you immediately bump into the corner of a wall or the edge of a large closet when you enter, you will almost certainly have an instant spoiled mood. Such a negative impact can be mitigated by using a decorative screen, plants or ornaments.
The hallway should be well lit and kept clean so that the qi energy does not stagnate, creating a feeling of apathy and fatigue.
It's bad if there is a staircase leading to the second floor in such a small hallway.
The qi energy in this case will not cover the first floor, immediately rising up. You can correct the situation by hanging shamisen or bells, which will slow down the movement of qi energy. Since there is nowhere to hang a mirror, you can install an ornamental plant obliquely from the entrance, which, moreover, will improve the interior.
If the staircase is located on the side of the entrance, you can put a partition or a movable screen that forms a barrier that prevents the exit of qi. If you hang a mirror on the side of the door, it will increase its size.
The entrance hall is not the center of family life, so a neutral yin-yang balance should be maintained here in both design and lighting.
If the hallway is very bright and angular, this can be softened with pastel colors and curtains or dim the light. If the hallway is too dark, use more saturated colors, increase the lighting and hang pictures or photographs in rectangular frames on the walls.
Mats can be used to attract beneficial chi energy. Choose a color that matches the direction of the front door: red for the south, brown for the southwest, etc., as well as additional colors: green for the south, red for the southwest.
Some feng shui masters recommend placing three gold coins under the mat for luck. These should be Chinese coins with a hole in the middle, strung on a red string.
To bring good luck into the house, Feng Shui masters advise to brightly illuminate the area located in front of the front door and immediately behind it.
Aisles and corridors
From the hallway, the chi energy spreads throughout the house through the aisles and corridors. This is reminiscent of its flow along the meridians of the human body. Qi should move freely, but not randomly. Long empty corridors usually get on people's nerves and make them unconsciously speed up their pace. If qi stagnates in remote corners, it creates a feeling of gloom and despondency.
