Elements of a Modern Exterior Entry
Wood Slats, Overhangs, Concrete and Plantings Update the Entrance
Houzz Contributor. I am an interior designer with a passion for modern clean spaces and timeless vintage decor which makes for a unique eye. I work in Los Angeles but offer e-design services nationally. Visit my website and my blog at http://www.veneerdesigns.com
Houzz Contributor. I am an interior designer with a passion for modern... More »
We all want great curb appeal, whether to make visitors feel welcome or increasing our property value when we are ready to sell. Wonder what it takes to give your so-so exterior a modern touch? Here are some design elements being noticed all across the country.
1. Horizontal slats and gray exteriors. The warm wood coupled with the neutral gray is winning hearts. It doesn't take much to swap out a standard gate for a wood-clad version with horizontal slats and repaint your exterior. A game of hide and reveal is created, especially if there is some spacing between the wood slats. Aren't you dying to know what's behind that gate?
More wood slats, this time used to create a semi-private screen at the front door enclosure. Depending on how you space the slats, they offer a world of design options from private to semi-private screens, dividers, enclosures, and more.
| Overhangs create an inviting approach to the front door. Here the bare and imposing plaster wall is humanized by the smaller-scaled wood overhang and warm lighting. |
A chunky oversized overhang breaks up the harshness of the exterior stone wall with a lovely wood ceiling leading us to the large wood door. Talk about dramatic effect.
Suspended overhangs add an architectural note to an otherwise simple facade. Frosted glass and metal wires frame the blue front door for an interestingly fresh entry.
Combining a green door with a green-tinted frosted glass suspended overhang is a small touch that makes a huge impact on how modern this simple entry reads.
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| Concrete planters. Even traditional homes can incorporate modern touches to the entry as long as it's done right. The poured concrete planters are lush and overflowing and seem just right at the ascent to this traditional family home. |
Meeting place. Another innovation in warmer climates is the creation of loungy built-in area at the approach to the front door. It's a modern take on the traditional front porch as a stage for social interaction with the neighborhood. Long benches, plush cushions, and even a fire pit optimize the real estate at the front entry.
by Milano Doors
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A great modern door. And to design your modern own custom front door, take a look at the selections like this one from Milano Doors.
Cool numbers. Even if you do nothing else, just updating your house numbers will make your exterior look so much more current.
You don't even need to have a house with an exterior to update your address number. Painting the numbers in a modern font on the front door of an apartment will do, too.
Adding a touch green is an original and endearing idea.
by Atlas Homewares
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Sleek, architectural, Art Deco-style house numbers is reminiscent of the greats: Neutra, Wright, Corbusier.
Retro-style earthy ceramic house numbers add a colorful, playful look.
More:
Wood Slats in Design
Address the Address
Entrance Canopies: The New Porch
More:
Wood Slats in Design
Address the Address
Entrance Canopies: The New Porch
Ideabook updated on July 25, 2011.
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Be careful as a designer....change just for the sake of change is not a good thing. You have to fulfill a purpose. Modern commercialism is just a short lived trend the won't survive in residential design and more than "California contemporary" did. It's just not people friendly.
I love the "look" of these but they are not at all inviting. It's more a statement to tell you what to expect as you enter the house. None of the looks say, "Welcome, you're home" ...many say that you are going to find a clean, minimal environment which is going to be attractive to some. Perhaps the best way I can describe it is the difference between a neighbourly "Come on over" and a formal invitation. Both invite you in. The tones are very different.
Now I just need to find a not $5K door like the one posted!