 | Many homeowners neglect to include the front door in their decorating plans. Your front door is the gateway to the rest of your home and deserves some special attention.
Dressing the Door
Your front door should be the focal point of the front of your house. In addition to painting the front door a color that compliments the siding or bricks, the inclusion of a few decorating accents can make a big difference.
Similar to the inside of your house, plan your decorating efforts around the four seasons. A wreath for each season is an inviting accessory to any front door. Some popular choices include a wreath adorned with bright flowers for the warmer months and a dried flower wreath for the autumn. A Christmas wreath will welcome the spirit of the season, and a wreath with an Easter theme is perfect for spring.
A Wreath for All Seasons
A wreath of all seasons is perfect for individuals who don’t want the bother of changing and storing wreaths every couple of months. Start with a basic, large grapevine wreath with neutral colored accents and foliage. Attach a small wire and hook strong enough to hold a small ornament in the center of the wreath. (You can also use your wreath hanger for this purpose if it has a big hook that holds the center of the wreath.) As each new season approaches, hang a seasonal ornament from the hook. You can find small seasonal crafty ornaments at your local craft supplier. One wreath – many looks!
Wake Up the Walkway
The stairs leading up to your front door make a perfect backdrop for your outdoor décor. Position small planters filled with bright, colorful blooms or rich, healthy foliage on each step drawing your guests to the front door. (Make sure the planters are small enough so they don’t get in the way when someone is climbing the steps.) For the winter months, consider all weather solar lights, a string of mini lights or candleholders to illuminate the way when guests are expected. Be sure to place a seasonal type welcome mat at the front door to complete the look. If your porch has a railing, consider decorating it to celebrate the seasons also. Some railing décor accents include wreaths, ribbons, boughs, flower garlands, greenery and a string of mini lights.
Garden gnomes, statues and figurines are also a good choice to use around your walkway and steps. Be selective, choose pieces that enhance but don’t overpowering the area. Adjust the number of décor pieces to the size of your walkway and adjoining steps. A large statue (under two feet tall) tucked comfortably in the corner of the porch will add to your entranceway and set the tone for the front door and steps. Use other themed pieces to pull it all together.
Transform Your House Number
House or property numbers are often overlooked and should be considered in your outdoor decorating plan. Unfinished wooden plaques are great for making an inexpensive house number sign especially if your dwelling number is under four digits. These wooden, geometrically shaped plaques are available from most craft stores for a nominal fee. Choose a plaque size that can accommodate numbers large enough to be seen from the road. You can paint the plaque to match your color scheme or cover it with colored or printed-paper. After gluing the paper on the plaque, be sure to clear varnish it to protect it from the elements. Center and attach (screw or glue) ready-made black plastic numbers to the plaque and hang. You can find ready-made numbers at your local hardware store.
With very little effort and expensive, your porch, stairs and front door can have that designer flair at minimal cost.
|  |
|
