C’mon in!

Posted by Anna Applegate on 30 June 2011

Last week marked the official start of summer, a season in which many of us enjoy a more relaxed schedule, longer days, and outdoor activities. Entertaining is often moved out to the deck, porch, or yard during these months, reminding us that our home’s décor isn’t confined to its interior.

Of all our homes’ many exterior features, perhaps none is quite so important as the front door. Consider it the calling card, the lipstick and, by all means, the first impression that your home has to offer. Real estate guru and author Barbara Corcoran lists a beautiful front door as the number two item that sells houses (behind a light exterior paint color). Buyers, she says, decide within the first 10-15 seconds of seeing a house whether or not they’ll purchase it, making the front door’s appearance quite important in home sales.

Apart from the perspective of turning real estate, a front door provides a tremendous opportunity to give guests a taste of what’s to come and to offer a “sneak peek” into your personal design style. Are you bold with color? Try painting your door pink or turquoise. Do you prefer a more traditional style? Black, white, shades of taupe, or even red will help create a classic entrance to match your interior. A wide range of hardware is also available to add functionality, style and personality to your home. Own a house at the beach? An elegant brass crab knocker will add interest there. (No house by the shore for me, but I do have a pretty handsome English bulldog who might like this addition to our front door!)

Other accessories that a beautiful front door can’t be without include appropriate exterior lighting, a pair of planters (flowers or shrubbery a plus!), and a great doormat. Like a fabulous pair of shoes that “make” an outfit, these front door add-ons enhance the overall appearance of a home’s exterior.

 

 

 

Storm doors serve an obvious functional purpose of keeping the elements at bay in homes without front porches or porticos. They’re also wonderful for letting in sunlight, particularly if the front of your house is north facing, like mine. We had no storm door, but a quick trip to the Habitat for Humanity Resale store last weekend changed that for a mere $35. Because our house is old and the second-hand wooden door has warped, it will take a little handiwork to install, but I look forward to a beautiful addition to our home’s exterior and more natural light. Oh, and maybe that bulldog doorknocker, too.