10 Steps to Freshen up Your Front Door
Have your guests at ‘hello’ with a smart front door and beautiful hardware that sets the tone for the rest of your home
The front door is the first thing most people will notice about your home, so make sure yours is spick and span. Taking good care of your front door with some regular maintenance can work wonders: a lick of paint, sparklingly clean windows and a polished door knob will make a great first impression.
There are also some wonderful ‘easy wins’ that can help you to update your front door with a minimum of effort for a fresh look with lots of impact. From lovely letterboxes that take centre stage to getting creative with your house number, giving your home-front hardware some attention will smarten up your exterior and boost its kerb appeal. Here are a few ideas to get you started…
There are also some wonderful ‘easy wins’ that can help you to update your front door with a minimum of effort for a fresh look with lots of impact. From lovely letterboxes that take centre stage to getting creative with your house number, giving your home-front hardware some attention will smarten up your exterior and boost its kerb appeal. Here are a few ideas to get you started…
Choose a modern door
Alternatively, give your home an instant facelift with a new, contemporary-style front door with plenty of kerb appeal. It’s a great way to update the facade of your home without spending too much money. Pick a stylish design in the best quality you can afford, and treat it to regular maintenance checks so it will stand the test of time.
Alternatively, give your home an instant facelift with a new, contemporary-style front door with plenty of kerb appeal. It’s a great way to update the facade of your home without spending too much money. Pick a stylish design in the best quality you can afford, and treat it to regular maintenance checks so it will stand the test of time.
Clean your windows
If your front door contains glass panes, be sure to give them a thorough clean, inside and out, at least once a month. It seems obvious, but it’s easy to overlook fingermarks and dust when you see the door every day. Keep an eye out for any chips in the glass, too, and replace the pane immediately to avoid it shattering and causing accidents at home.
If your front door contains glass panes, be sure to give them a thorough clean, inside and out, at least once a month. It seems obvious, but it’s easy to overlook fingermarks and dust when you see the door every day. Keep an eye out for any chips in the glass, too, and replace the pane immediately to avoid it shattering and causing accidents at home.
Reference your design style
Choose a door that reflects the period and style of your home’s interior. Little details like this show you care about the appearance of the exterior and prepare guests for what to expect once they pass over the threshold.
Choose a door that reflects the period and style of your home’s interior. Little details like this show you care about the appearance of the exterior and prepare guests for what to expect once they pass over the threshold.
Polish the brass
Brass fixtures and fittings tarnish easily outdoors, so treat them to a regular polish to ensure door knobs and hinges gleam all year round. Once a month should be enough to keep them shiny, but be vigilant and tackle any unsightly blemishes as soon as they appear.
Read expert advice for choosing a front door
Brass fixtures and fittings tarnish easily outdoors, so treat them to a regular polish to ensure door knobs and hinges gleam all year round. Once a month should be enough to keep them shiny, but be vigilant and tackle any unsightly blemishes as soon as they appear.
Read expert advice for choosing a front door
Add interest with a fancy handle
Bring some instant glamour to your home’s exterior with a well-chosen lever or door pull. Choose a fancy brass or polished stainless steel version, and clean it frequently to keep fingermarks to a minimum.
Bring some instant glamour to your home’s exterior with a well-chosen lever or door pull. Choose a fancy brass or polished stainless steel version, and clean it frequently to keep fingermarks to a minimum.
Get nifty with your number
When it comes to displaying your house number, get creative. Consider where you want to display it – on the door or wall – and how much space you have, then experiment with cardboard cut-outs. The owner of this house has gone for supersized numerals in an unusual position on the door, but you could just as easily select an unusual font, or write out the number for a more personal look.
When it comes to displaying your house number, get creative. Consider where you want to display it – on the door or wall – and how much space you have, then experiment with cardboard cut-outs. The owner of this house has gone for supersized numerals in an unusual position on the door, but you could just as easily select an unusual font, or write out the number for a more personal look.
Embrace tradition with a brass knocker
A brass door knocker is a quick and easy way to add interest to the front of you home. Keep it simple for an elegant, more traditional look or choose a fancy version with artistic detailing if you want to transform it into a feature. Be warned, though: brass will tarnish, so polish it regularly to keep it gleaming.
A brass door knocker is a quick and easy way to add interest to the front of you home. Keep it simple for an elegant, more traditional look or choose a fancy version with artistic detailing if you want to transform it into a feature. Be warned, though: brass will tarnish, so polish it regularly to keep it gleaming.
Ring for attention
A traditional door bell is a charming way to adorn the front of your house without looking too try-hard. This bell pull add a dash of simple, old-school charm to the front of this home, but if you’re feeling daring, paint yours a bright colour for a more attention-grabbing facade.
See illuminating ways to light your entrance
A traditional door bell is a charming way to adorn the front of your house without looking too try-hard. This bell pull add a dash of simple, old-school charm to the front of this home, but if you’re feeling daring, paint yours a bright colour for a more attention-grabbing facade.
See illuminating ways to light your entrance
A series of Victorian and Edwardian Front Doors
Let a lovely letterbox take centre stage
The letter box on this traditional front door does double duty as an elegant feature. A simple design like this will fit perfectly with most styles of door and is an easy way to add a dash of old-school charm to the front of your house.
TELL US…
Have you smartened your front door? Share any tips and photos in the Comments below.
The letter box on this traditional front door does double duty as an elegant feature. A simple design like this will fit perfectly with most styles of door and is an easy way to add a dash of old-school charm to the front of your house.
TELL US…
Have you smartened your front door? Share any tips and photos in the Comments below.
A fresh coat of brightly coloured paint is the fast track to fabulous when it comes to your front door. Chipped or marked paint creates an unkempt look, but choosing a bright colour will instantly update the front of your house, lending it the all-important wow factor.
If you paint your front door, try to keep a small sample of the paint handy to dab over small blemishes when they occur.