1. DECIDE WHETHER YOU WANT YOUR FRONT DOOR TO COMPLEMENT OR CONTRAST YOUR HOME
Let's start at the beginning, with choosing the right style of front door. Since this really is the first thing people see when entering or even just looking at your home it's important to get it right. We think the first decision to make which will dictate your choices going forward is, do you want your front door to match the aesthetic of your house or contrast it?
2. CONSIDER THE PRACTICALITIES OF YOUR FRONT DOOR
Something to be considering alongside deciding on style is practicalities – insulation, accessibility, front door security, etc. Elizabeth recommends asking yourself these questions: 'Do you need your door to provide a high level of insulation? Does the door need to be easy to maintain over time? Do you want a door that blocks out sound due to being on a busy road? Does the door need to be accessible friendly or easy to maneuver a wheelchair through? Does the door need to fit into a glass wall?'
3. EMBRACE THE EVER-GROWING LOVE OF CRITTALL-STYLE
So once you have got your practical needs assessed, let's get into the exciting part of on-trend front door styles. Of course, we couldn't not include Crittall doors, they have been everywhere for the past few years and their popularity is only increasing.
4. MAKE IT SEAMLESS WITH A PIVOT DOOR
Pivot doors, with their super streamlined look and minimalist aesthetic, are growing in popularity and much like Crittall doors, we are seeing them shift from being used as internal doors to front doors. Rather than being hinged to the side of a frame as traditional doors are, pivot doors rotate on a hinge that can be placed anywhere along the top and bottom of the door frame, making them really flexible.
6. OPT FOR A DUTCH DOOR FOR TRADITIONAL CHARM
Think Dutch door and maybe your mind automatically goes to cozy cottages or rustic farmhouses, and while of course this design works on more period properties (they were designed for them after all), Dutch doors can also work with more modern homes.
7. CREATE INTEREST WITH PATTERN TILED STEPS
When choosing a new front door, or even if you are just after ways to just spruce up your current one, consider the space around it too. How will the frontage of your house look as a whole? Of course, the color and even your front door number design will set the tone but look to the floor too.
8. ADD A MODERN RUSTIC TOUCH WITH WOOD
Choosing the material for your front door will really depend on your style, practical needs, and budget. But a really safe option that's going last decades, help you save energy by keeping the house warmer and never date is wood. Wood can be repainted and retreated too so even when it starts to wear you can give it a new lease of life.
9. CONSIDER HOW TO LIGHT A FRONT DOOR
And don't forget lighting. Not only is this important for creating a lovely welcoming glow around your front door, but it's a security precaution too. 'Front door lighting may become more important in the winter months when the days get shorter, however, even in the lighter months it can add a real style element to your entry. Lighting the front door can also add a security element to deter unwanted visitors.' explains Jamie Moxey of Dusk Lighting.
10. SOFTEN YOUR FRONT DOOR WITH GREENERY
It's the finishing touches that will give your front door really character and mirror the home that lies behind it. Adding greenery is a really simple way to soften the look of your front door and add in some lovely natural textures.
11. CONSIDER YOUR HARDWARE
Hardware can really update a front door and as Tom Rutt rightly says 'The quality of your door hardware is also really important, if the color of your door is the face, then those are the features' so ensure you get your choice right and pick a style that's going to match your front door design, whether you want to use your hardware to make a statement and add character or simply blend into the background.
12. UPDATE A TIRED FRONT DOOR WITH A LICK OF PAINT
Your front door color is hugely important, it sets expectations of what lies behind your door, lets guests and passers-by what your style is and if you buy into color physiology can tell a lot about you as a person too.