How often do you think about your front door? Probably not a whole lot.
Besides being the gateway to your home, your front entry is one of the first things people notice when they visit. The choices you make about style and colour can say a lot about who you are. But it’s not all about pretty doors! Exterior doors get a lot of use, are exposed to the elements and are prone to wear and tear. It’s crucial to keep them in tip top shape.
If you feel like your front door is in serious need of a spruce just like ours did, here are 5 DIY’s that you can tackle yourself to help drastically improve your front door.
PAINT IT
Nothing has a bigger impact than a fresh coat of paint. Whether you decide to go big and bold or just stay neutral, colour can play an important role.
I opted for a classic black and white look. Keep in mind, you always want to use a paint formula made specifically for exteriors. This will help with moisture resistance and durability.
Don’t be afraid to change the colour of your door bell, house numbers, or even a storm door. There are a ton of spray paints on the market that make it easy to change the colour of these items just like I have.
For more info on how we updated the trim around the front door, click here.
UPGRADE GLASS INSERT / PRIVACY FILM
The wrong type of glass insert or even an old dingy privacy film can date your front door pretty quickly.
Glass inserts can get pretty expensive but there are a ton of secondhand options on sites like Kijiji or Criagslist that you can find dirty cheap. If you’re handy, doing the installation yourself is fairly straight forward. There’s a ton of tutorials online to help navigate your way through the switch. Thanks to my amazing best friend, Barbara, (who has a dad in the door business), she graciously provided me with the glass insert and did the install so quickly!
Window film is another great way to add more privacy to your home. This is commonly used on clear glass. There are a ton of products on the market but this one is my favourite. Our sidelites, which flank either side of our front door, got an application of mirrored window film. I personally think it’s the modern day version of frosted privacy films.
ADD NEW DOOR HARDWARE
The right door hardware makes a BIG difference! Choosing a high quality product like Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt and Century Front Entry Handle and Latitude Lever will not only improve the aesthetics of your front door but it make everyday life so much easier.
Smart locks are all the rage and with so many different styles and finishes to choose from, Schlage makes it easy to customize your preferences.
Schlage also has a free app that keeps you connected at all times. You can create and delete up to 30 access codes and share the access codes with family and friends; you can create a custom schedule for your access codes and can check the status of your door. Also, Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt now has Android smartphone compatibility, as well.
Going keyless is one of the best thing ever especially for a busy mom who doesn’t have to fumble for keys now.
MAKE IT ENERGY EFFICIENT
The most common way to lose energy is through your front door. By simply replacing things such as your weather-stripping and door sweep can make a notable difference.
The goal is to keep out environment hazards like water and dirt while keeping heat and air flow inside. These items are inexpensive to purchase and can be found at nearly every hardware store.
DON’T FORGET TO ACCESSORIZE
Door knockers, mats, mailboxes, light fixtures and pretty wreaths are like jewelry for front doors. Add one or two—but don’t overdo it. You also can’t go wrong with a touch of freshness. Adding urns with fresh greens or flowers make a great impact that could last all season.
*Click through these links to see more about our exterior makeover: Updating our Curb Appeal, How to Repair your Crumbling Concrete Wall, Our new Garage Doors, Fixing a Walkway with Sinking Stones, Reviving our Exterior Front Entrance, Exterior Update, How to Renew your dated Driveway & Curbs, Exterior Makeover: Before & After.
Disclosure: I am thrilled to collaborate with Schlage in our outdoor project. The views and opinions expressed in this post are 100% my own.
14 Comments
I think about my front door all the time! I want to get a new door and update it so much but I just never get around to it! I did get a new fall door hanger so that will keep me happy for awhile!
What a transformation! It’s great to see what just a few DIYs can do!
My front door definitely needs a facelift! Thanks for the inspiration!
it’s crazy what just a new entryway can do to a house! looks amazing
Wow the difference is incredible!! You created an entirely new vibe and it is so gorgeous!
You nailed it again, gorgeous
Very nice transformation. The white trim really makes the black door “pop” and I love your bricks! Looks like a cute little “helper” there, too! 😉 We don’t even use the actual front door – there are even any steps there – but we do use the door and entry to the enclosed side porch as our main entry. I certainly could use some updating! We did just install a new latch because the other one broke – but new paint would be a good idea.
**Wow, you can tell it’s after midnight and I’m tired! 🙂 I meant there AREN’T any steps to our front door … and while it’s true * I * could use some updating in various aspects of myself 😉 I meant IT (our side porch door) could use some updating! 😉
What a fabulous transformation! Your door looks amazing!
Wow1 So cute! Love the new look it changes the whole exterior vibe!
Energy efficiency is a high priority for me. In the UK homes lose so much heat through old fashioned front doors
Thank you for all the tips on how to upgrade your front door. I really don’t like how my front door looks right now and I would love to change it. I think that is a great idea to give it a fresh coat of paint. I think that would help give it a nice update.
Loved the outcome, changed the whole look and feel.
Wow, I never knew just how much a front door could mean to the energy-efficiency of a house. It makes me think about my renovation plans and how I’ve never considered anything for my front porch. We’ve already laid out plans for the living rooms and the kitchen, but the front door wasn’t something I had a priority on. After reading your article, I’m more convinced that I have to look for an entry door installation service that can set me up with a better front door to go with my renovations.