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Upgrade Your Front Entry the Budget-Friendly Way
Freshen your facade and create an air of welcome from the get-go with these tips and affordable finds
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating... More »
Although the outside front entry is one of the most important spots in a home to keep in tip-top shape, it also tends to be one of the most neglected. Many of us don't even use the front door on a regular basis. If you're like me, you head inside straight from the garage and think about the front door only when guests or package-delivery people come knocking.
Next chance you get, step outside, stand in front of your entry and study it as if you were a visitor. You may be surprised at what needs tweaking — a lackluster sconce, crumbling mortar on brick steps or a drab door that blends into the surrounding walls. If your porch, stoop, door and other elements could use a little oomph, try these budget-friendly pointers and finds to bring them to life.
Next chance you get, step outside, stand in front of your entry and study it as if you were a visitor. You may be surprised at what needs tweaking — a lackluster sconce, crumbling mortar on brick steps or a drab door that blends into the surrounding walls. If your porch, stoop, door and other elements could use a little oomph, try these budget-friendly pointers and finds to bring them to life.
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1. Swap out your light fixture. It's amazing how such a simple change can completely transform the look of an entry. Even if the replacement light you choose doesn't hew strictly to the style of your home, make sure it's similar enough not to feel out of place.
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This streamlined take on the classic lantern would work as well with a cottage or Craftsman bungalow as with a two-story colonial.
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A gentle patina gives this curvaceous sconce an appealing weathered sensibility.
How to use barn lights like this
How to use barn lights like this
by Lamps Plus
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Its curves say art deco; its clean lines say modern. You decide which way to spin it.
2. Add a dab of living color. Few things freshen a porch or stoop faster than potted plants, whether they're topiaries flanking the door or vines cascading from a hanging basket. If the design of your porch allows, consider a climbing specimen that will entwine around posts and railings. If not, choose a stylish container or two.
Grow a fall garden in a pot
Grow a fall garden in a pot
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Mass a group of colorful pots to create an earthy palette. The hues would look especially nice against red brick or pale wood.
by Bobby Berk Home
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This tiny hanging planter in attention-getting turquoise would be a great choice for a condo's front balcony or a small portico.
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Wearing a pretty verdigris finish, this slender planter could fit in with traditional design, an industrial look or any style in between.
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3. Spark the front door with a bold color. It's a prime opportunity to create a visual focal point and amp up the personality of your home's facade without spending a lot of cash. Choose a color that both sets off and contrasts with your main exterior hue — this turquoise looks lovely against the muted pumpkin orange frame and gold siding.
by Farrow & Ball
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Mustard yellow would glow against dark wood siding, brown brick or stone, or slate-blue paint.
by Benjamin Moore
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Consider this emerald green for a classic white house with black or navy shutters — a refreshing alternative to the traditional red.
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| This strawberry pink would look stunning next to taupe, light gray or charcoal paint or brick. It could even work with creamy yellow. Help choosing a front door color |
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by Home & Harmony
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| 4. Roll out a rug. A new welcome mat or floor covering can pull a porch together. The indoor-outdoor versions on the market these days come in so many stylish patterns and materials that it's easy to choose one that sets the tone for your interior decor. |
by Ballard Designs
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Muted colors and a Moroccan motif give this lightweight rug subdued elegance.
by Shades of Light
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Cheerful stripes create a feeling of welcome and comfort.
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I could see this nautical-inspired rope mat on the doorstep of a beach house, but it also would work for a cottage in the heart of the city.
Make your own artistic doormat
Make your own artistic doormat
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by Sicora, Inc.
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| 5. Mount a new mailbox. As with a light fixture, swapping out a tired mailbox makes a world of difference. If your existing mailbox is a traditional post model by the street, you may be able to remove it in favor of a wall-mounted style or a door slot — consult your local postmaster for regulations and specifications. |
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The banded detailing and grids of ventilation holes add a contemporary edge to a classic black mailbox.
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This no-frills model in cherry red adds a dash of pizzazz, and I love the lower pocket for magazines, flyers and catalogs.
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by Pottery Barn
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| A door slot such as this one makes a tidy, sleek alternative to a box. Again, be sure your postmaster approves before you install it. |
by Chris Kauffman
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6. Change up house numbers. If yours are bland hardware-store models or have begun to show their age, replace them with a jazzier style — just follow a few basic guidelines to ensure that they're as functional as they are attractive.
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| With a mod font, varied sizes and playful colors, these numbers lend themselves to mixing and matching. |
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by Pottery Barn
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| Rustic yet elegant, these branch-inspired numbers would look perfect on a lodge-style home. |
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A custom-made tile mosaic instantly telegraphs your personality and creates a unique conversation piece.
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7. Add an eye-catching door knocker. It's like hanging a pendant around your neck to complete an outfit. Even if guests usually go straight for the doorbell, they'll be greeted by a lovely piece of hardware.
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A more streamlined take on the usual brass knocker, this model feels especially graceful because of its graduated curve.
by Karcher Design
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Here's minimalism at its finest. This would blend well with the clean lines of a contemporary or midcentury modern home.
by Anthropologie
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The tap-tap-tap of a woodpecker might drive you nuts in real life, but you won't mind this charming twist.
Ideabook published on Sept. 20, 2012.
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AND, way to go, stargazer51! Thank you for reminding us all that light can be polluting (but angled/directed down can work beautifully, which is one reason we like the "Austin/Lowes" fixture. Coupled with a LOW wattage bulb, just enough to light your walkway and find your keys, you can have your light and not bum out your neighbors!)