Well it has been awhile since the last house update, but the truth is there has been a TON of progress made! Today let’s talk about the front door and how a makeover can add extensive value and curbside appeal. In a study by Zillow, homes with black or charcoal gray front doors sell for $6,271 more than expected. Wow! A little bit of “sweat equity” can go a long ways. There are other improvements that can be made, so let’s talk about 6 ways to makeover your front door to add more value and style to your home.

6 Ways To Makeover Your Front Door

1.Paint the door and trim. One of the easiest ways to add curb appeal can be completed on a Saturday. The paint color of the front door is one of the first noticeable attributes that others see when driving by your house. Think about what personality you want your house to convey. For example, a yellow door invites happiness and optimism and light blue represents calmness and tranquility. After a lot of thought I chose Sherwin Williams Salty Dog, a classic navy blue, for its timeless style.

When painting in the grooved portion of the door, it helps to outline the portion that will use a paint brush vs the part that uses the paint roller. Adding painters tape helps to create a clean, crisp look.

2. Update the mat. Now is the time to replace that dingy old doormat. Although doormats are generally small, no one can deny their importance or ability to make a great first statement. For an outdoor doormat consider one that is made of weather resistant materials, like teak or seagrass. Avoid rubber for the winter months as it can crack. Also aim for a doormat that is at least 80% of the width of the doorframe where it will be used. Below are a few doormats for inspiration, and there will be a full post on fall doormats soon!

3. Add a wreath. My favorite way to spruce up a front door is with a wreath. The wreaths create a welcoming invitation into the home. When choosing a wreath, a couple things to consider are size, shape, color and faux vs fresh. With the size, general rule of thumb is to cover 50-75% of the width of the door. For a 36 inch door, a 24 inch wreath is perfect, given it leaves a few inches on each side. In regards to choosing faux vs fresh floral wreaths, consider the longevity of the wreath and your climate. Fresh wreaths are so beautiful in person and may add a welcoming scent for guests at the door. However, living in Texas, I imagine a fresh floral wreath has a short life span in our high temperatures. Fresh wreaths can be an excellent option for a special occasion, such as a Christmas party or baby shower.

I love changing the wreaths with the season, as well as getting creative and creating my own wreaths. Two of my favorite DIY wreaths are the faux boxwood and the hydrangea wreaths, both with tutorials linked. If you prefer buying your own wreaths, don’t be afraid to search outside of the usual places. Etsy offers some incredible options by people who make careers out of hand-crafting unique and customized wreaths. A few favorites I have had on my door:

4. Update hardware. A stylish new door knob makes a solid first impression. Choosing the right companion for your door is an important aesthetic and integral part of the entryway.  In my opinion, spending extra on a high-quality door knob is worth the investment. Why? It gives visitors (or potential home buyers) the impression that the house is cared for and maintained. Door knobs also add a layer of security to your door.

If you really want to go the extra mile, consider adding an advanced lock system or keyless entry. Smart locks allow you to share codes with friends and family, and be notified via apps when someone is entering through the door. I have the older version of this lock and love it!

5. Modify the structural and functional area around the front door. This step can be made into a huge project, or simply a couple small updates. For my 1955 Texas house, this first included additional security features, like cameras and a doorbell.

The next step I did was huge – painting the house. While the original brick had unique texture, the color was somewhat “blah”. The houses on both sides of mine are similar colors, so my house appeared camouflaged. Bringing the house to 2018 with new paint was obviously a giant project in itself but it made the exterior entryway “pop”! More on the exterior painting in a later post.

Other updates to the structural area can include pouring new concrete or updating the floor tiles. Repair small cracks and cosmetic defects. Consider changing address numbers and postal boxes, if appropriate.

6. Finish off with decorative accents. One of my favorite steps! Finally after all the essentials are completed, add the finishing touch to the entryway with the addition of greenery, flowers and decor. I love searching Pinterest for inspiration and modifying the decor depending on the season.

Some ideas for decorative accents:

• • Family signs
  • Lanterns
  • Topiary
  • Potted plants
  • Metal wall art
  • Seasonal decor
  • Bench
  • Wood crates
  • Flags

This faux topiary dog is my favorite addition. I plan on dressing him up depending on the seasons… for now he summer ready!

Front Door Before and After

Now that all the steps are complete let’s take a look at the front door before and after.

My front door came along way from start to finish. In the beginning, the entry was lacking curb appeal – but after updates and a few decorative accents the house is now welcoming and inviting to guests. Most of all, when entering the front door it is… home.

While these 6 ways to makeover your front door can add a lot of value, I would love to hear what input and suggestions you have for the front door area. Let me know in the comments down below!

If you loved this house update, you can see previous house updates here: #1, #2.

Live your life joyfully so,

Ashley

PS Be sure to follow on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for more!

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