Amazing entrances have a way of welcoming guests in and making you feel at home before you’ve even stepped foot inside. “The front entrance is the gateway into your space, where first impressions are made,” explains Designer Cynthia Soda of Soda Pop Design Inc., Stouffville, Ontario. “Make sure it’s well lit, uncluttered and easily visible.” Whether you are imagining a grand entrance or decorating a simple stoop, here are a few helpful hints to make your entrance count.
A Way to Get There
It might be super simple and practical, but providing visitors with a way to get to your front door is important. The front entrance should have a very clear route and the area should be clean and accessible; tromping through muddy grass or tripping on an uneven piece of pavement is not a great way to begin a visit.
Front Doors That Pop
Front doors are a great place to add a pop of color and glam to your home. “I love a classic, black front door,” shares Mrs. Soda. “Adding an accent color is great too, just make sure you add color without going over the top. My favorites are Benjamin Moore’s “Dinner Party”, “Caponata” and “Mysterious.”
Lighting
A front entrance should have proper lighting so that visitors can approach the home at night and see where they are going. Light fixtures are also beautiful décor elements that frame entrances and create allure in the evening. “I love landscape lighting, especially when the lights highlight an element in the garden, part of the home’s architecture, or a pathway leading to the front entrance,” explains Cynthia Soda. “The look should be subtle (versus flooding your home with light from top to bottom).”
Tips for Choosing Lights
- Go Big – Choose a substantial size that makes a statement and can be seen from the road
- Style Matching – Pick a style of light that complements (versus competes) with your home’s style
- Not So Bright – Front entrance lights should create a glow, rather than an unnatural spotlight. Try using lower wattage bulbs to soften the look
- Height – Lights should be hung at approximately 2/3 or 3/4 the height of the door. Hanging pendants look best when they are hung above the door or in the middle of an overhead transom window.
Greenery
Bringing a natural element to your front entrance creates a friendly vibe and adds a pop of color and warmth. Urns and containers come in every shape and size and are a great way to celebrate the seasons and add some pizazz and creativity to an otherwise lifeless area.
Accessories
There are many accessories that can add charm to your front entrance, including street numbers, doorbells and/or knockers, entry rugs, seating, mailboxes and family name plates. The options are endless and choosing a few to add to your front door will really finish the look off. When picking accessories, remember to try and choose items that complement one another in style, color or material and add to the architectural features of your home.