The right front door can really make a difference in your house. It’s the first thing people see before they step inside, as well as prospective buyers should you ever decide to sell your home. But how do you know which door to pick? Should you try to match the door you are replacing? What kind of wood should it be made from? Follow some of these simple tips and you’ll have a new, great-looking front door in no time.
Color – You want your front door to be the right color. A good rule of thumb is to choose a color that contrasts with the rest of your house, but still works with surrounding color schemes. This doesn’t mean choose a crazy bold color against a muted front; just something that will draw the eye of visitors but not turn them away. Think dark versus light. Still not sure? Take a picture of your house, cut out the front door, and put paint chips in the space so you can see what your home might look like with a door of a particular color.
Cheat Sheet – Take a drive around your neighborhood. Are there any doors that you see that you really like? Are there a few that look like they absolutely do not belong? You can use this short little road trip to gather inspiration and get more of an idea of what you might be interested in doing – and what to definitely avoid.
Materials – Most front doors tend to be made from strong wood, but they can also be made from steel, glass, or even fiberboard. Consider things around your home such as weather, privacy, and perhaps even protection when choosing your door. Do you live in the city or far out into the country? Do you have heavy winters or do you live in a location that is mild or warm year round?
Architecture – Make sure that the doors you check out have similar architectural details as your home. At the very least, you don’t want their design to clash with the design of your home. There are a few times when you may be able to get away with this, but generally a Victorian home might look a little odd if the door was a modern steel style.
Size – Last but not least, make sure the door you purchase is the right size! Many doors tend to be of the same standard size, but there are exceptions so always double check before making a final purchase.