Wouldn’t it be nice to approach your home with a grin instead of a grimace? First impressions count, and not just for your friends, relatives and the FedEx guy. Whether it’s on an urban stoop or a Victorian front porch, your front door and the area leading to it should extend a warm welcome to all comers. It doesn’t have to cost a bundle.
Here are some inexpensive ways to dress up the entrance to your home before the holiday season arrives.
Clear the way to curb appeal. The path to your front door should be at least five feet wide so people can walk shoulder-to-shoulder, with an unobstructed view and no stumbling hazards. So get out those loppers and cut back any overhanging branches or encroaching shrubs.
Light the route. Landscape lighting makes it easy to get around at night. Solar powered lights make it easier than ever, especially if you already have the first suggestion completed. They stick in the ground, requiring no wiring, and are surprisingly inexpensive.
Go glossy. Borrow inspiration from London’s lovely row houses, whose owners assert their individuality by painting their doors in high-gloss colors. The reflective sheen of a royal blue, deep green, crimson or whatever color you like will ensure your house stands out from the pack.
Replace door hardware. While you’re at it, polish up the handle on the big front door. Or better yet, replace it with a shiny new brass lock set with a secure deadbolt. Lisa and I just went keyless. New battery operated punch pads are now available in front door models. Very easy to install and use.
Please knock. Doorbells may be the norm, but a hefty knocker is a classic that will never run out of battery life, and another opportunity to express yourself. Whatever your favorite animal or insect, there’s a doorknocker in its image.
Ever-greenery. Boxwoods are always tidy looking, the definition of easy upkeep. A pair on either side of the door is traditional, but a singleton is good, too. They are under $40 here at Watters Garden Centers. Make sure pots can handle our freeze and thaw cycles. A good quality ceramic is well under $99, with plastic and wood available for half that price. A pair dresses up any home.
Numbers game. Is your house number clearly visible? That’s of prime importance if you want your guests to arrive and your pizza to be hot. Stick-on vinyl numbers in a variety of fonts make it easy, starting at about $4 per digit. The fancier the numbers, the easier to spot from the driveway.
Foot traffic. A hardworking mat for wiping muddy feet is a must. A thick coir mat can be found at the hardware store for less than $20. Even fancier varieties can be found well under $50. Define your home’s personality.
Go for the glow. Fumbling for keys in the dark isn’t fun. Consider doubling up on porch lights with a pair of lanterns, one on each side of the door, for symmetry and twice the illumination. Many mounted lights are available well under $100.
Snail mail. Mailboxes run the gamut from kitschy roadside novelties masquerading as dogs, fish or what-have-you to sober black lock boxes mounted alongside the front door. Whichever way you go, make sure yours is standing or hanging straight, with a secure closure and no dings or dents. The mail carrier will thank you and so will your neighbors.
Until next month, I’ll see you at Watters Garden Center.
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