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semonem

Front entry door style

4 years ago

Hello! I have 2 options for the double-door front entry way of our home, and would love your thoughts. Please see a computer rendering of our home. The exterior of the home will be off white with black detailing. Please ignore the beige stone in the pic. In terms of style, the look we love is an updated and transitional. Are either of these door options good? Which would you pick? Thanks so much.

Comments (62)

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    I would try to coordinate the front door with your garage doors since they are so close to each other. try for something more simillar and simple with maybe just glass in the upper third of the door.

    semonem thanked Anna Devane
  • 4 years ago

    Thank you all. I really appreciate your feedback. The garage door is being simplified as shown. I have some time & option constraints but will try to find a consistent approach between the door, railing & garage.

  • 4 years ago

    All the doors that you have shown are in conflict with the balcony ironwork. They should work together. I would have very plain simple double doors, or a single door with sidelights. ONE plain window. Nothing ornate at all. And simplify the rail to a plain, straight, not curved, design.

  • 4 years ago

    Your home is much too contemporary feeling for any of those doors or the curvy Juliette balcony.


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    semonem thanked decoenthusiaste
  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Maybe one wide swing door would fit look better.

  • 4 years ago

    Wow! These are very modern options. And do you all recommend a clear balcony railing like the one in the pic above? I was thinking of simple metal straight lines but I like the clear design. Thank you!

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Balcony something like this one. You wan simple but with some design so it doesn’t look like jail bars!

  • 4 years ago

    Love the big swing door! I think our city permit requires double doors unfortunately, but it’s a beautiful option! Thank you.

  • 4 years ago

    Thanks Flo Mangan!

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Your city permit requires a double door? City or hoa? I’ve never seen a city care as long as it provides proper egress.

  • 4 years ago

    I’ll check. Thank you. Thought we were limited by the home extension plan that was approved by the city.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    I don’t think the clear would be easy to keep clean so think about that.

    semonem thanked Flo Mangan
  • 4 years ago

    Hmm….good point! Thank you.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    The simpler the better. I think straight lines suit the style of your house, so I’d choose the second option of the two presented. Straight lines on the balcony railing too, but I’d probably skip the balcony altogether. I’ve never actually seen anyone on a balcony, except maybe the pope and members of some royal families.

    semonem thanked flopsycat1
  • 4 years ago

    Is black a must? It looks like it will disappear in the shadowed setback?

  • 4 years ago

    Your window trim is white

  • 4 years ago

    In general the black trim seems wrong on this style house… too stark.. even distracting

    semonem thanked btydrvn
  • 4 years ago

    Thank you! We were going with a black and off-white theme. What would you recommend? Also, is there a main door you like from the 2 options? Thanks again.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Second door would work well.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    You can soften straight lines with landscaping improvements over time.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Here are some ideas for landscaping. Calm down variety of plantings so look is low and green with a few ornamental specimens. Add a pair of planters to entry and change exterior lighting to larger longer styling.

    semonem thanked Flo Mangan
  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Notice I created different heights across front of house.

    semonem thanked Flo Mangan
  • 4 years ago

    Personally I do not like glass in a front door because I want to be able to see out before people can see in. This may not be an issue for the location of your house.

    semonem thanked palimpsest
  • 4 years ago

    Flo Mangan, I cant thank you enough! This is so so helpful!

    Palimpsest, I agree. We had some issues being new to this and are left with limited options. Thank you!

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Great. Glad to help.

  • 4 years ago

    Second door, will work the best with your house. First is a big NO.

    semonem thanked cat_ky
  • 4 years ago

    Thank you cat_ky! So glad to see consensus around the 2nd door. I wasn't loving the big curly wurlies on the 1st one either! :)

  • 4 years ago

    The 2nd door for sure. There is beauty in simplicity.

    semonem thanked Caroline Hamilton
  • 4 years ago

    Second door, straighter lines would like better.

    semonem thanked modpod
  • 4 years ago

    Thank you Caroline and modpod. I am so grateful for all the helpful feedback I have received.

  • 4 years ago

    Sorry to disagree with everyone- but because you have so much straight lines at the front of the house, I think the doors with curves gives interest and contrast. I agree with Flo about front entry planters for added interest. I might even go with color or at least colorful foliage. You can use annuals and even replace at winter with small decorated Christmas trees.

    semonem thanked SB
  • 4 years ago

    I agree with SB. The very modern styles don't suit the house. However it does not have to be so detailed with all those curly iron work. What about wooden doors?

    semonem thanked kaye bullock
  • 4 years ago

    I like the first and agree with SB. Secondly. I too have a contemporary house and have a black door with black window trims. I get lots of complements. The white clashes with the black doors.

    semonem thanked Grisenia Matos
  • 4 years ago

    I also prefer the second door with the straight lines. Your house has straight lines and the second door will harmonize with the rest. You can always have the glass frosted if you don’t want anyone to look inside. If you are a DIY person you can purchase a film from home depot that goes onto your glass from the inside (applied like wallpaper). I’ve used it before and it looks great if applied properly.

    semonem thanked oreet
  • 4 years ago

    The first door definitely.

    semonem thanked C M
  • 4 years ago

    If the 2 options shown are the ONLY ones you have available now, I would choose the bottom one. The squarer options/simpler style is the best with the style/shapes of the house.

    semonem thanked hollywaterfall
  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    I think the first door suits your contemporary house better, the second door with all the scroll work is for a Mediterranean style. Love the balcony, I only use mine to "style" for Halloween with spooky figure lol. Fyi, both doors are lovely. I love the clear glass or just slightly wavy so I can see who is at the door. It is still obscure enough that the other person cannot see inside very well.

    semonem thanked Terrie B.
  • 4 years ago

    I love number one BUT the balcony railing is more tuscan so door #2 would suit better.
    But honestly if you love #1 I would create a more contemporary railing which would be better for the house.
    People are choosing # 1 but I feel it would clash with the railing. You need to factor in the entire scope if the building.

    semonem thanked slab
  • 4 years ago

    I agree with Slab that the curvier door is more in harmony with the balcony style, and going with that one will bring the whole house into a Mediterranean style. As far as which I like better, it’s the door with the straight lines and squares. For one thing it will visually bring the door forward so it’s not hidden in the shadows, and it is a stunning door! If you like a more modern look, the door with the squares is definitely the way to go, but I agree you will then need to change the balcony railing to work with the door. I think if you go with the more modern door, it will look great in black! I personally would choose the more modern door and update the balcony railing, use black on both, will look awesome!

    semonem thanked JoLyn
  • 4 years ago

    Door #2.

    semonem thanked littlebug zone 5 Missouri
  • 4 years ago

    Door #1 of course; love the look, perfect for he contemporary design of the home. The balcony is a great idea; I do agree the balcony design should match the door (straighter lines).

    semonem thanked MARIA MOORE
  • 4 years ago

    Are you aiming for an industrial look? I'm not current on entry styles. A wider single door with sidelights matching or contrasting can turn out very nice.



    Have you considered crackle glass, beveled edging that are available in floral, scenic, art deco and many other designs that soften the look and make it interesting in one piece. They also can come in muted to vibrant colors. A second thought is using a security door for the design leaving the front door as simple or complex as you like.

    semonem thanked Martin Seebach
  • 4 years ago

    Second door with straight lines.

    semonem thanked cda1028
  • 4 years ago

    Thank you all so much! Appreciate everyone taking the time to share ideas and input.

  • 4 years ago

    Definitely the first one......the ornate scroll work with definitely not stand the test of time as far as decorating goes, it is limited but the X pattern or alternatively, a horizontal pane of glass inserted three times down the door will also work well!

  • 4 years ago

    Semonem, please let us know what you decide and post pictures! Thanks!

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    If this were my house I would choose a pair of solid wood doors. I would have them varnished with a natural finish, letting the natural color of the wood show. I say this because I think the all black and white color schemes that are popular now will look very dated in a few years. The steel doors do not look very welcoming, and suggest that you might be in a high-crime area.

  • 4 years ago

    Του γ

  • 4 years ago

    I think both are too much, too heavy and ornate for the relatively simple and modern design of the house. I would choose something cleaner and simpler. They are beautiful doors but both look like they belong on something much larger and more traditional and will overpower your home.