All Things Renovation
How To Pick A Front Door Style
Ok, you’re ready to start the exterior remodel of your house. You’ve been dreaming of pulling up to your home every day and smiling at what a beautiful house you’ve created. But before that blissful state of gratitude/pride, you have some BIG decisions to make. Maybe it’s the exterior paint color? Maybe it’s what type of siding will look best? Should we paint the brick??? Another decision, should you need or want a new one, is what front door style you should choose. It’s one of those things that, unless you are having to buy a new front door, you’ve likely never thought of what that decision entails. That’s where we come in! Today I’m going to walk you through the important things to consider before you buy, A LOT of great inspiration photos of popular styles, and, of course, a handful of shoppable options at the end. Let’s get to it!
Important Things To Consider:
- Style of your home: This is kinda a no-brainer, but incredibly important. If you have a vintage home, you don’t necessarily need to choose a super vintage door, but we’d suggest choosing at least a more modern version that still leans in the same style direction. On the flip side, putting a very traditional “craftsman-style” door on a very modern home would also likely look off.
- Door scale: Scale is everything! The last thing you want is a door that looks too small on your beautiful home. I’d be like choosing a rug that’s too small for a room, but a much more expensive mistake! You can always add a transom window for more height if you don’t want a bigger door, or add width with a side window or two.
- Privacy: This is completely personal and dependent on the location of your home. If you live on a busy street or your neighbors’ homes are VERY close to yours, you may want more privacy, as opposed to living in a more secluded area, where less privacy might be fine.
- Door Material: This is in line with the choice of style, but is also about maintenance. Wood will likely require some upkeep; dark-colored doors may get sun-damaged if they are in direct sunlight; fiberglass requires the least amount of maintenance, etc.
- Energy Efficiency: Is the door insulated, or will the lack of insulation affect the temperature in your home??
- Added Costs: Framing, trim, added windows, painting or staining, potential custom elements, hardware, etc.
Ready for some inspo and ideas? Great, me too.
Front Door Style: Modern Traditional – High Windows
Here, Emily went with Marvin for the Mountain House’s doors and windows. This style of door is SO versatile and gives a high level of privacy while still letting in some natural light. If your home leans even slightly traditional, but you want a clean front door style, this is a great option.
Here’s another great option that’s in the same world as Emily’s but has an extra paneled section and a window grid. This door’s glass may even be frosted, so you still get maximum privacy, as well as natural light! Because of the added “details,” this style door could even more easily work for a vintage home (especially for a craftsman or farmhouse).
Front Door Style: Modern Traditional – Half & 3/4 Door Windows
Less privacy, more light, and still so pretty and versatile. I also LOVE that natural wood tone, but this would be just as pretty painted. This is also a great example of how hardware can really change the “vibe” of a front door style. If the door handle were more traditional, with something like this, then it would feel completely different but equally as awesome.
Here is the glorious Portland Project entryway with these double doors. The modern traditional style perfectly complements the home; the double doors are ideal, scale-wise, and the large windows let in so much light!
Even longer windows! This style would be high on my list if I didn’t have to worry about privacy.
Ok, see how this door is nearly the same style as the ones about, but the bottom panel isn’t beveled, which makes it a bit more modern.
I thought I’d show you this front door style on a very cool, traditional/unique style home. It’s just special enough to effortlessly work with the style of the home, but doesn’t take any attention away from the diamond grid window or the incredibly wonderful rounded front exterior.
P.S. It seems as though varied shades of sage green are VERY popular choices among painted doors, but I get it because it’s neutral while still being “a color.”
Front Door Style: Traditional With Windows (+ Special Hardware)
If you want some extra embellishment, look into a door like this! The thin metal-looking grids (with a mullion in the center), the vintage door knock, and OF COURSE, the brass mail slot. 1000/10.
Here’s another one with a similar look but with more detailing (more fancy trim), but the privacy glass gives you well…more privacy. Also, I’m personally obsessed with centered door knobs.
Front Door Style: Classic Craftsman
Craftsman homes became popular in the early 1900s and are extremely beloved today still. Do you remember this beauty getting restored by Jamie Haller? What’s not to love?! So getting a front door style that makes sense with a craftsman feels important. The trim under the window of this home above is called a Craftsman door shelf. It’s a beautiful and classic option!
Here it is again! I think it’s such a beautiful but simple detail.
But if Craftsman door shelves aren’t your preference, then I’d suggest going for a door with simple, wide mullions and rails like the one above. Visual heft or a little chunkiness will make a door feel “Craftsman.”
Front Door Style: Modern Traditional – No Windows
But hey, sometimes you want a solid door for total privacy! The door here is simple, without any beveling. However, the frame around the door does have beveling and more detailing in the panels. I think this is a great way to create dimension and to not have the overall look feel too ornate. The corbels and transom window don’t hurt either:)
Here’s another solid door but with two thin static windows flanking it. This front door style will still give you a good amount of privacy, but let a lot of light in! I love the proportions of an extra-long top panel with a short one under it.
I had to include this one because of the center knob (duh!) and the beautiful simplicity of the wide planks that are thinly framed aside for at the bottom. The transom window looks important here for scale since this entry looks tall! See? Scale matters:)
Here, the wood planks are thinner, the framing is wider, and the top has a sweet little arch!
A classic traditional door with multiple raised panels but in a fun yet classic color. I love this whole look!
Be still, my heart! The slatted wood here is the real star and will require some maintenance. This modern remodel still feels so warm because of the tone and organic look of this door. And clearly natural light isn’t a concern because of the stunning picture window right next to it.
Front Door Style: Traditional – Arched Windows
Let’s talk arches, shall we?
Ok, this one is likely original to the home and SO AMAZING. If you have the ability to go vintage or custom, this is surely a case for it.
This one is less of a classic arch like the last door, but still has got some personality! The window on this one is higher up for more privacy, and there are only two panels as opposed to…
A longer window and three smaller raised panels! Small differences that make a big difference. Likely, the cost of arching a doorway is going to be more than a standard rectangle. Just something to think about.
Front Door Style: Modern – Full Windows
This section is for my “I don’t care about privacy” front door style people:) Obviously, most people “care” about privacy, but clearly some locations (or personality types) don’t need as much. Or they have a gate or bushes blocking the road’s view, to create the privacy they are looking for. Man, I love those doors at the River House.
Very similar to the ones above, but I LOVE the two-toned wood look of the door/window frame to the darker wood siding on the house. STUNNING!
How great are those flanking asymmetrical windows? It’s a fun little choice that creates some uniqueness.
But window paneled front door style can be private with the right type of glass (see above) or, of course, interior shades:)
Front Door Style: Mid-Century Modern
I wanted to touch on mid-century modern doors because, well, they are probably some of my personal favorites. Look at these stunning custom doors for Ome Dezin’s project! If I had an MCM home, I would do almost anything for doors like these. But I know they may not be for everyone, so let’s keep exploring.
Do you see those square wooden tonal handles going up the side of this front door?? So special and cool but also feels vintage!
But for a more toned-down front door style, I love this door-length single handle. Still dramatic but in a quieter way. Also, the side window with the tree granting some privacy is perfect.
I feel like this kind of wood detail will feel very “2020s” in due time, but when done beautifully like this, I LOVE it and think it’s completely timeless. It’s interesting and special, and I’m a huge fan of them also putting those slats over the side window. It makes it feel grander than if they didn’t.
MCM is all about color too, and this green-stained wood (I think?) with the modern statement handle is a great example of how to do it right.
Front Door Style: Dutch Doors
I feel like you’d be hard-pressed to find a person on this earth who doesn’t love Dutch doors. They are endlessly charming, practical, and just SO cute! Emily used this one off the mudroom of the Portland Project.
Here’s a beautiful painted version in a very EHD-approved color (sorry, I’m not sure what the name of it is). But also notice how the flanking, thin side panels have windows that are the same height as the Dutch door window. A simple detail that looks really perfect.
A Dutch door with a Craftsman door shelf? Sign me up!
Heidi Caillier just completed an amazing project with a Dutch door, and my lord, is it just the most inviting thing I’ve seen. This front door style is a forever classic.
This home is a little more modern, but the Dutch door adds some more charm to the exterior with its minimal single panel. I also really adore the mix of paint colors of the doors/trim with the house.
Here’s an even more modern one! They really work with any style and make each and every home more charming. Can you tell I want one, one day??
Front Door Style: UNIQUE
Because it’s me, I had to throw in a few really unique ones because these need to be seen by as many people as possible! When this one popped up in my search, my jaw hit the floor. No word, just total awe. The craftsmanship is out of this world.
Ok, another custom door brought to life by Ome Dezin. This one might actually be the MCM front door style of my dreams.
Not MCM but straight out of a fairytale book! The arched top, round window, and thick dark wood are everything. I know really unique doors like these don’t come cheap (or at least very rarely), but if you have the budget, wow, are you lucky!
Here are a handful of doors in a few different front door styles I found that are purchasable! (Just in case you needed a little guidance :))
Navy Painted Prehung Residential Insulating Core Front Door | Beechwood Stained Prehung Residential Insulating Core Front Door
Black Painted Prehung Residential Insulating Core Front Door | Ready to Paint Unfinished Prehung Residential Insulating Core Front Door
Unfinished Dutch Door | Apron Dutch Door
Textured Fiberglass Prehung Exterior Door
Rustic Arched Entry Door | French Quarter Interior Full Radius Top Door
Craftsman Style Mahogany 6-Lite Entry Door
As always, I hope this was helpful, and if you aren’t in the front door market, bookmark this for the future.
Love you, mean it
Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: How We Made Our Old House Charming Again – A Front Of House Tour
These doors are ALL beautiful, but my house really needs a screen door – in fact, it needs a security screen door, not just to keep baddies out but also to keep three large dogs in. Any advice? Maybe a future post?
Yes, that’s a great idea for a post. I’m also looking for a security screen door that I can stand!
Same — eastern US here, and I can say for sure that Dutch doors are for people who don’t live in mosquito heaven like I do! My current house has heavy duty vintage aluminum screen doors with removable panels, so the screens can be swapped out for glass in the winter. I’ve often thought that I’m not sure how I would find a replacement if I needed to. Would love a future post on screen doors!
If you have your heart set on a unique front door and have some flexibility for the exact size of your door opening, I highly suggest looking at architectural salvage places. They often have incredible beauties that are not exactly standard sizes but could be easily framed around by a knowledgeable carpenter.
My first investment in our new home was a dutch door with a pull down screen- it is simply the best and I am so happy to see it every time I drive up to the house!
I have always wanted a Dutch door. But I live in Kansas…so definitely not practical. I must visit family in California, to get my fix. But I love the original old wood door on my house. It may not be the most energy efficient, but it is so charming and original. The 4 tiny adorable windows in it give me some natural light shining through. I’m going to be selling next spring, and I can only hope my next house has another original, charming front door. If not, I’m going to have to do some architectural salvage shopping.
I’m not sure if this has already been done, but a “freshen up your front door” post could be fun. I repainted mine, added some cute brass house numbers, got a new rug, etc. last summer and I love driving up to my house now.
For me adding a wisteria Next to the front door was the game changer for our city house. Even if it still hasn’t flowered after 5 years :(, the lush greenery in spring and summer still makes me extremely happy when I come home after work.
You can root prune a wisteria for bloom. They’re notoriously slow to bloom and their roots spread far and wide.
I put in a full-window modern front door with reeded glass, and it’s been magnificent. No privacy issues when you use good reeded glass. The only drawback is that with all glass, you can’t really add a knocker or hang a wreath. On the plus side, it brings a ton more light into the entryway. I mean dramatically more sunlight than the prior door, which did have a window pane on top. We love it.
I put an upside down command hook on the BACK of my door near the very top. Then chose a beautiful ribbon to hang the wreath from on the front, up over the door and hooks on the back. I picked a wreath that looks good from inside as well (not a metal back, usually a natural fiber wreath form. I switch out the wreaths and ribbons for different season. Just an option for glass doors 🙂
I used a heavy duty suction cup type holder. The kind that has a little handle that you push down and it sucks the air pocket out. It works really well for a slightly heavy xmas wreath.
I would love some input as we’re working on this as we speak! Our house is gray painted brick (painted before we moved in) and our front door is very similar in style and color to Emily’s LA house. Our front door is up some steps, and our basement door and garage are to the left as you’re looking at the house, down one story. We’re getting a new basement door that’s the 1/2-window style shown in the post. Should we paint it the same color as the front door (red)? The same color as the garage (black)? Repaint the front door and the basement door some other color (??). To make it more confusing, we have a French door that leads out to our back patio that’s painted Wyeth Blue. I love it but I don’t think we want all the doors that color. Do they need to match? Help!