It was a beautiful weekend in Charlotte, which always gives me the itch to start sprucing up the outside of my house. While many of us don’t have sprawling front porches to fill with lots of furniture and big ferns, there are some quick updates most of us can make to create an inviting entry. I think the front door, afterall, sets the tone for the rest of your house.
OCRegister via DecorPad
![[DSC00087.JPG]](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_52cMiJwbEKM/SoTq9Q38YmI/AAAAAAAABxw/o3knWboU-Ig/s640/DSC00087.JPG)
![[scan0001.jpg]](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ymywUYQgYcs/Srf07OhBvhI/AAAAAAAABzo/nP5VoFJWA-E/s640/scan0001.jpg)
My biggest tip for creating an inviting doorstep is to keep things simple. If you don’t have a clue where to start, you can’t go wrong by going with the “less is more” approach. I often drive by houses with way too much going on outside and think how cluttered the inside must be.
I recently snapped these pictures of a client’s front door. I like how she used a pair of larger evergreen trees and a pretty wreath:
Unless you’re a master landscaper, symmetry is the easiest way to go. Buy a pair of matching pots (even the inexpensive terracotta ones work) and fill with green for color. A few things that even I don’t seem to be able to kill: boxwood, dwarf Alberta spruce trees, asparagus fern and ivy. All are easy and require very little attention (well, I’ve found that watering does help. . . ).
Country Living
Some other ways to give your door a quick facelift. . . . Add a fun door knocker:
I also love pretty house numbers. And, now they’re easier than ever, thanks to decals in different fonts:
image via Etsy seller allie000
image source here
If you have room, I like the idea of spelling out your entire street address in a pretty script:
I think this is a great idea for those of you lucky souls without HOA restrictions. Add instant charm by spray painting old brass fixtures a happy color. (I also love this pairing with a bright front door.)
Better Homes and Gardens page via Whimsy by Victoria
images via Create.Love.Grow
What changes have you made to your exterior for Spring?
Congrats to the winner of the Shabby Apple Dress giveaway:
Enjoy!
I was just thinking on the way home from taking the kids to school that our entry area is going on the list to get done this week. LOVE the bright colored doors and the unique numbers/lettering. Thanks for the inspiration!
I love when the numbers on the door are unique, if we didn’t have a glass screen in front I would copy on of these.
Do you know where they got the H mat on the front porch?
Great ideas! We’re putting up new siding this spring-the start of a spruced up entrance!
Wonderful ideas and inspriational pictures. Like you I too, think the less is more principle works best….a few beautiful planters, gorgeous lanterns, and a welcoming elegant doormat are all that I personally like. It is the very first impression people get of your space so it is worthwhile to make sure it represents you and your home well!
We have only gone as far as the numbers are the door . . . oh, those lovely HOAs!!!
Great inspiration, thanks! My front porch is sad sad. Dead plants, ugly door (HOA!!!), you name it. I have got to get it under control.
You’ve motivated me, it’s definitely before and after time.
Freshening up my front door/porch was one of the first things I did when I moved into my house. A fresh coat of paint on the door, a new light fixture, polishing up the brass mail slot, and cool new house numbers have all made a huge difference. Love your tips and inspirations!
Love the artsy door numbers. I seriously doubt that our homeowners’ association would let us get away with such a *gasp* outward show of individuality.
Humph.
Thanks for sharing those lovelies…
a nice front door really is a prelude to gorgeous interiors.
I really need to paint my door, but what color? I ALWAYS either have a wood door or black…but I’m tired of it! ;)
LOVE that orange exterior light! Wish we didn’t have HOA rules!
I really need some new house numbers. This inspired me to get looking!
I love the script for the address. unfortunately, our urber modern house would look silly with that on the front….
I love all of these inspirational examples of entryways. I just have to find some plants I can keep alive-maybe will have to go for some boxwoods like you said.
Also, I am a sucker for a yellow door and saw those pop up a lot although it wouldn’t work for what I am doing-maybe for my vacation home someday ;)
Great post Emily! I hate the front door at our new house and was looking for inspiration. You are the best!
xo,
Abby
My favorite is your client’s front door…it is lovely! And I’m so inspired by your blog advice post…thanks for the good advice!!!
Wow great ideas. I’m going to Pin some of these on my Pinterest page! Hope you had a great weekend! Have you voted for Fine Man Friday this week yet? Have a great day. Kori xoxo
http://www.blondeepisodes.com
they just put a new front door on my apt unit. not fluffy:)
In my offline life I sell real estate. And the front door is SO important.
Unfortunately too many people either do nothing or put way too much there. I have to keep telling sellers that people have to be able to actually GET to the front door without bumping into accessories or feeling crowded by them.
I swept off the leaves…does that count? I gave my double doors a fresh coat of red last year…but I love the yellow doors you showed!
I love the written out in script over the door. I just wouldn’t be able to do and I’m not sure who I could hire to do it for me.
We have the No. 1245 numbers on our front door from Etsy seller allie000 and get so many compliments on them! We also did our numbers and “The Addisons” in script on our mailbox. It was such a low cost item that made a huge difference. Now if I could just get a plant to stay alive under my watch!
Emily, I love all of the suggestions. The one thing I would like to add to my front porch is the address in script, I love that. Last year I did my porch over and I added a black and white striped curtain in the corner. I have always had a mirror and a lamp. My porch is shallow but it is long enough to have two chairs to sit in. I have it posted on my side bar on my blog. I always wanted to do a curtain but felt like it might be too much. I am so glad I took the plunge, wish I had done it sooner. Happy Monday to you,
Kathysue
I love the idea of spray painting some bright colours on the lights. It gives the house a completely fresh feel. I had no idea you could get decal numbers for the door. That’s a great idea.
I recently made a DIY spring moss wreath for my front door. Paired with a bright riboon makes for a simple yet springy look!
http://lifelovelarson.blogspot.com/2011/03/diy-moss-letter-wreath.html
I love the script over the doorway. It is so sophisticated yet different!
This has definitely inspired me to spruce up my front porch. Thanks for all the great ideas!
Great tips! I love that first picture its so inviting!
Cute front doors! Love this post!
You are so right and no one did it better than Style North…gorgeous!!
PAINT! A fresh bright welcoming color! It’s the gateway to your home after all. :)
Spray painting brass fixtures! Genius! -Camille
Great post, and I love your blog. I just became a follower. We live in the same city! Cyber high-five to that!
ive been thinking about adding a kick plate to the front door as well as a door knocker..just to give it more interest. My front door is an oval shape at the top..which gives it an interesting look already, but its dark brown. Unfortunately I live in a place that has HOA so we have to ask for permission to change even paint color. However i doubt they’ll let me change the brown to black…hmmmm.. I love black doors! :))))))
I love the very first photo! Love the yellow door and all of the other surroundings on the porch. Cute!!
The number on the door is such a fun idea.
I should pay attention to my front door, since I use the kitchen door – I don’t think about it very often.
Thanks for the tips. I usually keep it simple with a large pot filled with greenery and/or flowers. Our exterior is in need of work, we haven’t ventured outside yet…hopefully this spring/summer.
The front door is the first impression and says it all to me. A crisp entry carpet, great flowers in the cool urns and I feel welcome.
Hey Emily, I am having trouble getting to your Goodwill Guest Post. It showed up on my blog roll but when I tried to get there Blogger said the page didn’t exist. I’m not sure if the problem is on my end or yours…and I wouldn’t know how to fix it if it’s on my end. I thought you would want to know though. ~Ann
Gorgeous front doors! Loving the yellow one. Have a fabulous day, Kellie xx
Gorgeous!! I’m such a door addict!!
Excellent point there, Emily! I also think that the core of the house’s exteriors is the front door. That’s why we shouldn’t overdo the designing, since that would throw off the appearance of the whole house. It’s like putting on too much make-up while wearing a simple dress. :)
– Anthony Blommel