Selecting a door configuration might seem like an easy decision. But there are more factors to consider than you may realize. From lights and panels, to stains and finishes, here are some of key elements that will help you design the door of your dreams, and will be the envy of your neighbours.
Don’t let the house limit you
There is not much you can do with the shape of the front door. The width and height were decided by the builder. But, you can decide what you are going to do with the space.
- Single Doors came in a surprisingly large number of configurations and materials.
- Deep natural stains on quality wood make a strong statement.
- Wood doors with insulated glass — pain, beveled or etched — can be elegant or whimsical
- Bold hardware on painted doors display personality — charm, humour, or traditional
- Slightly wider or arched door frames enable more customized choices including side panels and transoms.
- Double Entry Doors double your creative possibilities.
- Double Entry Doors stage your home with a dramatic entrance.
- Engraved and aged woods make elegant or rustic announcements.
- Sharing the space with glass side-panels or inset windows, they are formally inviting.
Related: Three classic front door designs that never go out of style
Side-doors and rear:
Exterior doors to the side yard, rear garden, patio or pool call for their own attention. These heavily used doors require more utility, but you do not have to sacrifice style.
- Think bi-fold or lift and slide doors, handsomely edged in wood or simulated wood. They invite the outdoors into your living or dining room and open dramatically to let you move about while entertaining your guests.
- Let the vistas opened by the glass increase the size of the room, make it brighter and larger.
Make colour a part of the re-design
Contemporary homes are predominantly beige or tan, so choose a wood stain from a muted palette or colours that compliment your plantings or shutters. Victorian homes tend to tolerate bright colours in bold combinations, and craftsman era homes almost demand exterior doors in wood with stained glass. Or try something south of the border: Southern architecture is enhanced by whites and pastels and Federal styles work well with white trim and colonial gray, blue, green, or red shades.
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