3 Ways to Update Your House with a New Front Door By Kerrie Kelly, ASID

The front door is often the focal point of your home’s exterior. It provides guests and passersby a chance to peek into your personal style. Whether you swap your current door for one with different materials, choose a brand new color or opt for a more secure model, there are tremendous benefits in purchasing a new front door. Here we’ve listed some of the ways a new door can make a valuable design impact.

1. Pick Out a New Material

One of the key factors in selecting a front door is the material that you choose. What you choose says a lot about your personality and your home’s style. A wood door is a classic choice for many homeowners, as it complements traditional, transitional and modern styles. Wood doors are also very versatile because they can easily be stained or painted for a whole different look. If cost is a concern, opt for a composite wood door. It looks the real thing, but it’s less expensive. It can stand up to damage and doesn’t warp as much as actual wood.

Another material to consider when selecting a new front door is fiberglass composite. These doors are affordable, durable and nearly maintenance free. They work well in harsh conditions and humid weather and require touch-ups only every few years. Fiberglass composite doors are great for homeowners who expect heavy traffic, like soccer teams and neighborhood parties, and want a personalized look without the extra expense.

Not convinced by either style? Consider a steel door instead. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles and easily fit any home’s exterior. However, steel door lifespans are relatively short compared to wood and fiberglass composite because they tend to dent and rust. Steel doors work best in neighborhoods with mild weather conditions.  

2. Add an Unexpected Color

Not looking to completely revamp your front door? Changing the color is a great alternative to a total overhaul. The color you choose says a lot about your personality and your home’s style. If you’re looking to represent your calm and collected character, opt for a blue door. Blue has often represented abundance and stillness in many cultures and adds a cool pop of color to any home’s exterior. Darker blues, like navy, are warm and inviting—perfect if you love to host parties.

For something more dramatic, yet still traditional, opt for red. It’s powerful, pretty and the perfect attention-grabber if you’re looking to put your home on the market or make a statement with your exterior. Other choices include classic white for cottage-style homes, crisp gray for a soothing outdoor element or shiny black for the modern homeowner.

3. Make Your Home More Private

If you live on a busy street and want added security or extra privacy, a solid front door made of steel or wood with no windows would solve both problems. For a more welcoming look, consider a front door with frosted or textured glass instead. Frosted glass provides privacy while letting in some natural light. Textured glass has the same effect in that you are able to see who’s approaching your door, but all they see is blurred shapes, saving you from nosy neighbors and curious pedestrians. Of course if you have an entryway you could always add bespoke internal doors to give your home that little touch of elegance.

What style works best for you? How else are you considering updating your front door?

Kerrie Kelly is an interior designer who provides useful advice on how to update your space in an aesthetically thoughtful way. Not only does Kerry write about making your front door a focal point of your home, but she gives useful tips for making a big design impact with just a few small changes.  Click here to see all the entry door options that Home Depot offers.