- Entrance
Contemporary Entrance Ideas and Designs
What contemporary front doors can I choose from?
Your first decision when updating front doors is what type of external doors you want to use, taking into account style, security and accessibility. Investing in a high quality front door is always worthwhile – this is a purchase where a little extra money goes a long way. Hardwood exterior doors remain the most popular choice of front door; as well as being the most economical, timber also opens the door to an endless selection of paint, hardware and embellishment. However, natural wood doors do have their downsides – prone to warping, they require more upkeep and may require replacing if not adequately cared for. Whether you opt for solid oak external doors or an oak veneer option, wooden doors are a match made in heaven for period architecture – it’s hard to imagine a Georgian house without a solid, six-panel door, or a Victorian home sans its gleaming hardware and stained glass panes. If you prefer non-wooden exterior doors, the alternatives are UPVC doors, GRP doors (collectively known as composite doors) and steel doors. UPVC front doors are often the most inexpensive alternative to timber and offer added insulation benefits; because the material itself can be a comparatively insubstantial, UPVC external doors are built into steel door frames for added reinforcement. GRP (glass-reinforced plastic, or fibreglass to you and me) doors offer the same properties, with a woodgrain effect that can provide a happy medium for lovers of timber. Steel doors are less widely used in the UK than the US, and make great contemporary front doors thanks to their sleek, modern appearance.
How do I decorate my contemporary doorway?
Renovating or replacing your front doors is one of the quickest ways to give your home a makeover, and affords the perfect opportunity to add a splash of colour to the front of your home. To improve your front door’s kerb appeal you can flank the doorway with decorative trees or flowering plants in attractive planters and “dress” the door with shiny hardware. Door knockers and door knobs can be more than functional with a range of styles and materials available to add some personality to exterior doors. A traditional brass door knocker can be the perfect complement to a solid oak doorway painted in a rich shade of green or blue, whilst contemporary chrome door hardware will look perfect against a white or eggshell door. If you are looking for an elegant front door option, opt for a hardwood door with built in obscured glass panels to let light into your hallway. If you would rather avoid a glass paned front door for security reasons then smaller decorative glass panels can also be inserted into the surround or door frame. You can choose stained glass panes for decorative effect, patterned or textured glass will allow light in but protect your privacy or get your home name or number etched into a glass pane for a practical but personal touch.
How should I light my contemporary front entrance?
The warm glow from a doorway is one of the most welcoming sights that can greet us when we arrive home. An entrance light is of practical importance – we have all spent time fumbling for our house keys in the dark – but it also offers an opportunity to add warmth and character to front doors and entrances. A wall mounted lantern is a charming traditional choice, or for bright, directed illumination opt for a security spotlight. There are a whole variety of switching options available – you can choose a motion sensor light that switches on right when you need it most, a timer light that will offer illumination on a fixed schedule or a switched outdoor light. Pointing light upward is a good way to avoid harsh glare, or choose recessed lighting if you prefer not to have a hanging light in front of your external doors. An entrance is also a great place to display lighting as a decorative feature – choose a table lamp that echoes the lines and colours of the hall beyond it.
What furniture and storage do I need in my contemporary entryway?
It’s important to keep the entrance to your home as open and clutter free as possible, so selecting a few practical items that will help with storage and offer a warm welcome is the best approach for this area. Coat stands, umbrella holders and shoe racks are practical foyer additions that will keep the area tidy. For the knick knacks and paraphernalia that so often accumulate by front doors, sideboards or console tables are helpful and opting for a something with a drawer is a clever trick to ensure these things can be stowed out of sight. If you have the space, an armchair, occasional chair or hallway bench will prove useful for perching on when removing shoes and definitely consider multi-functional furniture such as a storage bench for shoes. A wall mounted shoe cabinet is a must have for a tighter space, getting shoes off the floor and neatly stowed away.
How do I decorate my contemporary foyer?
Particularly in the entrance to the home, colour can be a wonderful tool to set the tone of the house. Neutral palettes can create a serene atmosphere appropriate for greeting guests; alternatively, you might find yourself being a little bit more adventurous by choosing a whimsical wallpaper or a bold wall colour that could look overwhelming anywhere else in the house. In either case, the foyer can be blended seamlessly into the home with details that connect it to adjoining rooms. Even if your entrance is not self-contained, instead with exterior doors that open straight into the house, visual tricks make it possible to create the illusion of an entryway by defining the space as such. Changes in flooring, a well-placed rug, a screen or curtain, or even furniture such as a console table or coat rack, can be used to delineate the space and distinguish the entrance from the rest of the hallway. Decorating walls and furniture with photographs or artwork is a simple way of bringing your personality into the foyer and plants, lamps, candles, vases and ornaments can be displayed on windowsills, tables or shelves. As a final thoughtful touch, mirrors placed next to front doors are a practical choice for those last minute appearance checks, as long as it’s not directly opposite the doorway, which could back-light the user – decidedly not helpful!
Whether you want inspiration for planning a contemporary entrance renovation or are building a designer entrance from scratch, Houzz has 71,472 images from the best designers, decorators, and architects in the country, including bellabunce and AttikoArt. Look through entrance photos in different colours and styles and when you find a contemporary entrance design that inspires you, save it to an Ideabook or contact the Pro who made it happen to see what kind of design ideas they have for your home. Explore the beautiful contemporary entrance ideas photo gallery and find out exactly why Houzz is the best experience for home renovation and design.
- Light Hardwood (3002)
- Medium Hardwood (2993)
- Porcelain Tile (2200)
- Ceramic Tile (1926)
- Dark Hardwood (1908)
- Concrete (1613)
- Marble (905)
- Slate (455)
- Limestone (332)
- Travertine (264)
- Vinyl (257)
- Laminate (240)
- Carpet (150)
- Granite (131)
- Terracotta Tile (99)
- Brick (84)
- Lino (73)
- Bamboo (65)
- Painted Wood (61)
- Terrazzo (45)
- Plywood (35)
- Cork (30)
Entryway with bench and console table in light oak. Artificial plant. Pendant lamp.
Photographer: Juliette Murphy
Photo of a medium sized contemporary hallway in London with grey walls, light hardwood flooring, a single front door, a white front door and beige floors.
Table and bench here take up little space (visually too, because they're light) and give a useful surface as well as space below for storing. - karenmalan
Transform your hallway with made-to-order cabinets with hidden coat racks, shoe cabinets, glove compartments, flush-fitting coat hooks and shoe racks.
Hallways can be returned to pristine condition once hallway furniture is installed to help organise things.
Available in Alder, Beech, Cherry, Oak and Walnut.
Give shoes their own homeSome shoes (Manolos, Jimmy Choos, Louboutins) deserve to be shown off; others (tired trainers, mud-caked hiking boots) are best tucked out of sight. If your footwear collection is closer to the latter, a shoe cupboard with racks is a worthwhile investment. - nish_shah18
Star White Polished Marble tiles flooring and bespoke staircase with a Nero Marquina Marble border from Stone Republic.
Materials supplied by Stone Republic including Marble, Sandstone, Granite, Wood Flooring and Block Paving.
Architectural Photography by Simon Kennedy http://www.simonkennedy.net/
Glass
Style
Proportion of door looks odd - jamie_mellor
Marek Sikora Photography for Venessa Hermantes
Photo of a contemporary hallway in London with grey walls and painted wood flooring.
Group greenery
A deep tray table gathers houseplants to make a display in this nook. With most of the planters unseen, it’s a way to put all the focus on the contrasting leaf shapes and shades. - francetetreault
Nerida Howard
Inspiration for a contemporary foyer in Other with white walls, a single front door, a glass front door and white floors.
Maybe too modern but worth considering something similar. - mcdalton1156
David Curran
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary foyer in Cornwall with white walls, slate flooring, a single front door, a light wood front door and grey floors.
But stairs garden side - able to look through back of stairs from front of house through hallway - samantha_bisson
A simple, striking entrance display with enviable style. The fluid waves of colour in this print create a hypnotic focal point that transforms this space.
Aim for art
Art will complete any room, with the placing of the piece as important as the subject.
Use artworks to resolve any issues your hall may have. A long, thin space will be relieved by regularly spaced images hung at eye level; a dark hall will be brightened by pictures that include a lot of white, while large pieces will add drama to the smallest of halls. - francetetreault
Rondo V door displayed here on a project in Washington DC
This is an example of a contemporary front door in London.
Like big oak door with glass either side - dickiesbrickies
PF-Photography
Inspiration for a small contemporary front door in Boston with a single front door, a glass front door, beige walls and concrete flooring.
I like the design of the door. But I may want to put a wrap around porch. Possibly on the left side when facing the house - courtney_day56
Design ideas for a large contemporary boot room in Gloucestershire with grey walls.
A different approach - love the shelf - fifodina
The clients wanted to create a modern and contemporary new home while ensuring that it was comfortable and practical for their family. The exiting house went through a re-build. We worked room by room creating the design and scheme for each space ensuring there was a nice flow between the rooms. The focal point of the house had to be the entrance. We added this stunning chandelier and used that as a point of reference for the other spaces. Adding lots of coppers and warm tones to complete the look.
Bespoke bench seating with upholstered seat pad, scatter cushions and integrated storage drawers. Wall light fitting above to create ambient lighting
Good storage for shoes, great for hallway entry area. - webuser_481915296
Design ideas for a contemporary front door in Edinburgh with white walls and a dark wood front door.
need a wide door when we do side extension - sandra_wildman
Photography by Ben Anders and Juliet Murphy
Inspiration for a contemporary hallway in London with black walls and dark hardwood flooring.
The table and mirror - nardine_joseph
Featuring a number of BLU products by Coastal, 246 Canley Road's front door showcases a HAB4-1200-BB-SSS 1800 x 30mm square mitred pull handle, LP305-SSS letterplate, and KM040-SSS euro profile escutcheons, all in 316 Marine Grade Stainless Steel.
Also featured but not shown are the ultimate HQ4 concealed bearing butt hinges for superior external performance.
Sheila likes this door style and lighting - cjsa123
Photo of a contemporary entrance in Gloucestershire with white walls and ceramic flooring.
Lots of shoe storage . Easy to see - annageewilson