Two Front Doors

HU-512081009

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

We have a single-family ranch built in 1955, that is consistently mistaken for a duplex. We're looking for any suggestions on how this can be resolved.

The original front door is on the left. We suspect that at some point a breezeway from the garage was enclosed, and instead of creating an interior entrance, a second front door was added (right side door).

We have discussed removing the left entrance and making the right entrance the main door, or enclosing the right door to be an interior entrance, but major construction is not an option right now. Our only choice at the moment is to downplay the right door, drawing the eye to the left, giving it the main door feel. These are our initial thoughts on how to accomplish that:

Left door:

1. Remove panel screen door and replace with full window storm door

2. Paint exterior door a bold color

3. Replace or convert the iron columns/railings to white wood

4. Move mailbox and house numbers to left door

Right door:

1. Replace screen door with brown screen door, instead of white

2. Replace exterior door with solid wood door, matching color to wood paneling as close as possible

3. Paint door trim brown to match wood paneling as close as possible

4. Replace or convert the iron columns/railings to brown wood

5. Possibly (??) paint window trim brown to match wood paneling

Bow window:

1. Remove scalloped bottom, creating a straight edge instead

2. Paint interior of lighted built in boxes (below window) to match wood paneling (at some point we will remove them altogether)

Any thoughts or guidance is welcome! Are we on the right track here?

Featured Answer

houssaon

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

For the formal front door, I would get a full length screen/storm door in black and a traditional solid front door that can be painted a bright color. I would move the mailbox and the house numbers next to it. For the service door, I would get a the same screen door but get a door with windows on the top. The door can be painted black.

I wonder what the wood under the white scalloped trim looks like. It might be a mess. You might have to replace the scallop with a straight piece of trim.

I don't think you need railings. I would just replace the supports with box columns painted white. If the windows are not vinyl, you might want to paint them black.

Good luck.

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Comments (10)

Denita
6 years ago
You are on the right track with the left door - good plan!

Do you need a screen door on the right door? I would remove the existing one entirely and paint the right door a color that blends with the existing wood siding so that door disappears into the siding entirely. If you use a screen door there occasionally, use the phantom screen door on that door. If you don't use a screen door, the leave it off entirely.

Definitely move the address and mailbox to the main (left) front door.

Make your address visible with much larger numbers in a contrasting color - maybe white?

Consider changing out your scrolls to wood posts - white.
Kay Stu
6 years ago
Your ideas are all excellent. Go for it!
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Lisa T
6 years ago
You can't blame people for thinking it's a duplex. I'll enjoy seeing what the pro's say.
Which door do you prefer to be the front door? I suspect the pro's will also want a floor plan of the indoors.
In the meantime, I'd say priority is to eliminate the identical railing at both doors.
I like your idea of making whichever door you make your main door a bold color. Maybe add colorful pots or something that sets that door apart. Maybe make the walk to the main door more elaborate or grand and make the other door as obscure as possible. Don't celebrate it with wreaths, or flowers or flower pots.
Maybe you need a walkway from the street or across lawn from the driveway to designate it as THE door.
Good luck. I love a good conundrum solution.
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Wow! Your house has great potential! I would go with nice big door instead window and door from the right hand, big window instead bay one and door or window from left hand.
Anna (6B/7A in MD)
6 years ago
Everything Denita said.

Plus, a very focused walkway and plantings that direct you to the front door. A new, appropriately-sized light, mailbox, pretty floor mat will all help to highlight the left door as THE door.
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I am itching to go further! Just show OP future potential.
Anna (6B/7A in MD)
6 years ago
As the OP wrote: "but major construction is not an option right now. Our only choice at the moment is to downplay the right door, drawing the eye to the left, giving it the main door feel."
HU-512081009
Original Author
6 years ago
I love the renderings, you guys are awesome! I'm a visual kind of person, so it really makes things come to life. And the potential I didn't even realize was here - WOW!!

Just a side note: the bow window can't be enlarged (it is the kitchen and the counter runs along the window), and the codes in our area require the railings.
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Well, you can go with bay window as houssaon suggested and railing. I am glad you like it. :-))