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by Heather Spring
2 months ago in Design Dilemma
How can I improve our front entrance with maximum impact (and minimal cost)?
When Spring swings around I want to make improvements!
The front door to our house is boring and unimpressive. I would love to make some low cost updates to it to make it look more exciting and welcoming. But what can I do for maximum impact?
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lacey_davis4135 I think to maximize impact I would paint the door a different color. Change the light fixture and mailbox to something brighter. Also maybe find some unique looking house numbers? Use big colorful pots underneath the mailbox as well as flanking the left wall. I have saw where the brick is painted to match the color of the driveway. It draws your eye inward.
2 months ago ·
kehmcnulty Yes definitely match the brick walkway with the drive, then cement grout the brick on the stoop and paint white to match the entry plant some indian hawthornes in place of the perennials. and move the garden fence over to where the little deer is by the corner of the house. colorful pots are a great idea.
2 months ago ·
claudiann Perhaps a piece of decorative art (metal) on the wall perpendicular to the front door
2 months ago ·
honeapathsc Remove the screen door. Paint the entry door a bright color that complements the brick. Replace the door hardware with a nickel finnish as well as the mail box and new light fixture. Raise the patio up to one level and frame with small plantings. Add colorful planters with flowers and artwork on the blank wall. Add a new large welcome mat. Also be sure that the curtains hanging on the side windows complement to new outside.
2 months ago · ·
honeapathsc Don't understand matching the walk to the drive as the drive looks like black top?
2 months ago ·
joanbllt I should talk - can't get my own vine to grow. On the blank wall perpendicular to the door - have a planter box and wide trellis with a vining plant to soften that wall. Add a lovely pot under the mailbox with a medium size shrub (to avoid interference with the mailbox.)
2 months ago ·
apple_pie_order The door and brick patio entrance are fine. What would help is well designed landscaping with punch.
2 months ago ·
Heather Spring apple_pie_order, what do you suggest on the landscaping? I think the rest of our landscaping looks really nice but we've mashed a few things together there in front of the entrance that don't really go together.
2 months ago ·
Heather Spring honeapathsc, what color do you think might work? I've considered black for the door, but I thought that might be too dark.
2 months ago ·
orangecamera Paint the front door your favorite color. Don't be afraid to go bold. If you don't actually use your screen door, think about removing it. Add some pots with flowers that compliment and contrast the front door. Also, change or paint your light fixture and mailbox. Here are some inspiration photos.
2 months ago · ·
orangecamera I just came across this ideabook, many nice ideas for you :) Click on the link under the picture to see the whole ideabook.
2 months ago ·
Geno's Garden Design & Coaching For a low cost solution, I agree - paint the door and get rid of the screen door if you don't need it. I betcha blue would be nice against the red brick. Keep the white trim, it ties it together with the rest of the house. Get yourself something to relieve the sameness of the brick wall to the left of the door ... a blue bench, a painted raised bed with a trellis, a large metal sculpture, or a large blue pot with some thing colorful planted in it! Then get a cool small tree in that front planting bed with some seasonal color. Jazz it all up. you'll be happy!
2 months ago ·
honeapathsc Due to the fact that the door is tucked in the corner I would say a bright red. You can punch up the color with a bench as nentioned or planter pots. Black would look nice if the door was up front and the hardware were black also. But I would go with the red and change the hardware to nickel. The door hardware, knocker, mail box and light fixture should match. Do you have shutters on the house? If so you could still do those in black. I know everyone does red but a brighter color then black would show case the entry around the white trim.
2 months ago · ·
apple_pie_order Low growing (knee height or shorter) perennials such as salvia or geraniums, all of the same variety, would add impact. You could use annuals, too, such as pansies or zinnias with underplanted spring bulbs. If you have electricity right there, a fountain could be installed in the midst of the perennials (but go with ankle height instead of knee height). If it is a sunny spot, a birdbath fountain activated with solar cells could work.
2 months ago ·
Heather Spring Maybe I could go with a green door to add a pop of color? Bright leafy green or a grass green?
2 months ago · ·
364robertferrie Two big planters on each side of the door and some sort if outdoor piece you can hang in the empty wall on the left.... Solar lights to light the path!
2 months ago ·
364robertferrie And..Clean up the mulch - try a darker mulch colour
2 months ago ·
glassdish I vote for the Red door, if your lockset is old replace with a really nice lockset/handle/kickplate/doorknocker, if you do not need a storm door in winter replace screen door with a retractable. I have no green thumb but seems like you could a lot with that landscaped area in left of photo, You could something interesting with the brick wall on left side of photo, maybe a trellis, outdoor art? And of course you can always put the bike in the garage, that's an easy fix, ha.
Good luck, will watch for your 'after' photo
2 months ago ·
jssbs How about ditching the old door and finding a replacement and still do some of these other wonderful ideas?
2 months ago ·
Susan Jacobs Can we see a little more of the house, just for reference?
2 months ago ·
Susan Jacobs I like this...
2 months ago · ·
libradesigneye Bright yellow door against the red brick. Look at YoungHouseLove.com at their front porch makeovers. Red and green will just fight with brick. In landscape, lose the three little "accessories" together. Shift the vine trellis flat against the front brick wall rather than standing free - shift it around the corner and down the way just a tad. Lose the hook /pot/ deer. Layer flowering shrubs clustered in threes towards the center back away from the edge and plant a row edge of low flowering matching something right for your zone.

Don't touch your nice pavers. Consider mounting nice black house numbers in an updated font on the side wall. Use spray paint to update your black mailbox and get a new light fixture.
2 months ago · ·
Susan Jacobs Boxwoods and ivy in planters against the brick. Climbing roses would look lovely, too. In the meantime, put your freestanding black trellis up against your brick wall.
2 months ago · ·
earthluvnmama Not a professional, but I concur with the idea to pain the door. Red is a great color, but not entirely sold that it wouldn't be too much with the red brick. I would play around with colors on some pieces of gypsum. Tack up to door and watch in various light throughout the day and see what you think. Definitely get rid of the screen door and those draps on the side lights. If you need the privacy, go with the frosted film. Doesn't look as dated. I like planter ideas presented by Susan Jacobs. I would also replace the light with something bigger,lower, and that has a brushed nickel finish. Whatever you plant, make sure you have interest all year. Do not paint or otherwise stain the brick. Its beautiful and needs only a powerwash and some interest around it. Accentuate the curve to the step.

I would look into a holly tree and keep it pruned so it doesn't grow into the house. Also, look into weeping norway spruce or other smaller evergreens that maintain shape and color year round.
2 months ago ·
orangecamera If you do decide to add plants to the existing bed (please decide to do this), something that attracts birds and/or butterflies would be nice. Search online for plants that do well in your zone, and consult with someone at a local nursery. They'll know what grows well in your area and with your sun exposure, water availability, etc.

Maybe once you choose your plants, you can paint your door a color that goes nicely with your landscaping. You mentioned leafy green. I say, give it a try. Paint a poster board with the color you're thinking about, and see how it looks. I think a brighter green will give you more oomph, but the important thing is that YOU like what you choose.

The 3rd example below is similar to your setup with side lights. I like the way the house numbers are placed on the door as a design element.

2 months ago · ·
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