One of the most visible parts of a home is the front entrance. We walk by it regularly, often in a hurry and over time this area may become neglected. It’s one of the first places I suggest sellers spend time and effort spiffing up. But why wait until you sell? Do it for yourself and enjoy coming come to a bright and welcoming entrance!
This is a great time of year for this project because we finally have a break from the heat, but it’s not too cold to paint. Knock it out before winter and you’ll have a beautiful spot to decorate for the holidays.
Here are the steps to brightening and updating your front entrance:
- Clear any furniture, clutter (yes, I know that snow shovel will come in handy in a few months, but does it need to be there all summer…?).
- Clean the whole area with good hard spray or pressure washer. You’ll be surprised how much dust accumulates over the dry summer.
- Start with the door. Consider a bright new color that complements, yet contrasts, with the rest of your home. Be brave, if you hate it you can repaint in spring. Among the most popular front door colors in 2017 are blacks, blues, grays, greens, and yellows. However, trends shouldn’t dictate your choice – pick a color you would love to see everyday. I just used Sherwin Williams “Peppercorn” on an investment property and it looks gorgeous!
- Evaluate the stoop. Does it need a fresh coat of paint or stain? Or perhaps just a pressure wash? If refinishing, consider the door color you’ve chosen and select a color that blends with the rest of the house. You don’t want another major contrast here…let the door be the star.
- Pick out new hardware for the door and freshen up the mailbox if needed. Don’t forget to ask the store to re-key the lock to match the rest of your doors before you buy. Some locks can’t be keyed to match other brands easily. No need to replace the box unless you really want a new one. I applied a coat of bronze Krylon spray paint that matched the door hardware. It’s cheap and looks stylish! I also painted my old doorbell button to match.
- Now the fun starts! Paint the door and the stoop if needed. Then install the new hardware on the door and you’re ready to set out the welcome mat!
For more quick update ideas read: Eight Tips for Adding Instant Curb Appeal
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