They say first impressions are everything. When it comes to houses, the entrance is where yours begins.
And the beautiful part? You don’t have to spend much money to make it look stylish, welcoming, and undeniably you. Most curb appeal upgrades cost next to nothing and have a massive impact on how your home feels from the street.
Here’s the deal…
Unless attention has been poured into sprucing up the exterior of a home, chances are the small stuff has been neglected. Thing is, those small details are what guests notice first.
What You’ll Learn
- Why the Entrance is More Important Than You Think
- Upgrade Your Mailbox Numbers with These Modern Styles
- Budget-Friendly Entrance Upgrades that Actually Work
- The Secret to Layering Entrance Details Like a Pro
Why the Entrance is More Important Than You Think
Curb appeal isn’t just a feel-good concept. It literally pays to have curb appeal.
A study published in the Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics found that homes with strong curb appeal sell for 7% more than comparable properties in the same area. That’s a pretty significant return on what is usually a relatively modest investment.
Increased home value isn’t the only benefit, either. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, 75% of homeowners who invested in curb appeal said they were more likely to enjoy spending time at home after making upgrades. Meaning the returns can be monetary and emotional.
If a front entrance is the start of a home’s conversation with the outside world, it’s only right to make it count.
Upgrade Your Mailbox Numbers with These Modern Styles
Let’s talk mailbox numbers. Specifically, how they’re often one of the easiest (and cheapest) upgrades available for a home’s exterior.
It’s surprising how many homes still have the same dingy house numbers they did fifteen years ago. Contemporary mailbox numbering has officially become its own small trend among exterior designers. Choosing modern fonts in crisp lines and fresh colours can change the feel of a home’s entrance in less than sixty minutes.
One popular option? Made-to-order mailbox number stickers. Available in modern fonts and finishes that look worlds more expensive than they are. They stick to most surfaces and are weatherproof.
Another entryway game changer?
Layering. Small, curated details that complement and complete the overall look.
Notice how house numbers keep coming up? That’s because the difference between dated and modern can often be determined by these tiny details.
Budget-Friendly Entrance Upgrades that Actually Work
Biggest bang for buck entrance upgrades coming right up. Here are five budget-friendly changes that will upgrade a home’s entrance.
Paint the Front Door
This is non-negotiable when looking to make a quick entrance improvement. A freshly painted front door in a deep, bold colour is an instant curb appeal win.
Front doors don’t have to be beige anymore. Fantasy, midnight blue, jade green, and matte black are just a few modern colours that make a statement.
Sprucing up a front door is also an easy DIY job. Grab a tin of paint, spend an afternoon, and it’s done.
Upgrade Door Hardware
Door knockers, letterboxes, door handles. Wait, what?
If a front door looks like it recently received a fresh coat of paint, mismatched door hardware can be jarring. Take a second to ensure the door knocker, letterbox, and door handle all coordinate. Brushed brass, matte black, and satin nickel are modern classics.
Door hardware isn’t expensive. Making sure it matches is.
Add Lighting
Remember those small details about layering? Here’s another one.
Lighting. Not only does a good lighting fixture make a home look loved and welcoming at night, but it adds an extra layer of security.
Two wall-mounted light fixtures (think lamp sconces) on either side of the front door is the recommended approach. Make sure the finish matches the door hardware and use warm light bulbs rather than cool white.
Solar-powered lights have come a long way over the years. And for entrances, they can be genuinely budget-friendly.
Include Some Plants and Greenery
Ever notice how much more inviting a home looks with planters filled with flowers?
Additions like a pair of matching pots on either side of the front door with seasonal blooms or an architectural green like boxwood gives an entrance height, colour, and life.
There’s no need to go wild. Start with something simple. Two pots. Matching planter style. Same plant.
Remember that symmetry point? Planters on either side of a door is a great way to make an entrance look far more expensive than it actually was.
Get a Good Doormat
Who cares about a good doormat?
Anyone who wants their entrance to look finished. Cheaper mats give off the illusion that the home’s entrance hasn’t been properly thought through. Everything else looks good? Invest in a good doormat.
Look for natural fibres like coconut coir, jute, or sisal and size the doormat so it adequately fills the doorstep.
Throw on a welcome message or a geometric pattern to complete the look.
The Secret to Layering Entrance Details Like a Pro
Ready for the secret to a winning home entrance?
Layering. Adding small details that speak the same design vocabulary. Every element of the exterior entrance should work together in perfect symmetry. The house numbers, door colour, lighting finish, door hardware, and mat material should complement each other.
Entrance upgrades don’t have to break the bank. Start with modern mailbox numbers. They’re inexpensive and act as an instant style statement.
Work outward from the front door. Hardware should be upgraded next, followed by lighting. Add plants and a doormat once everything else is in place.
Build a home’s exterior entrance with these steps:
- Modern mailbox numbers
- Paint the front door
- Upgrade door hardware
- Add matching lighting
- Add matching potted plants
- Invest in a good doormat
Boom. Easy as that.
Wrapping Up
Want to make a good first impression with the outside world? Start with the front entrance. It’s the welcome everyone gets before they even step foot on the property.
The good news is that none of what’s been covered here will cost very much money. In fact, most of these updates won’t cost more than $100.
Quick entrance overhaul?
- Start by giving mailbox numbers an update. It’ll instantly modernise the look of any home.
- Paint the front door. Do it yourself and watch the home come to life.
- Upgrade door hardware and lighting fixture to the same finish.
- Add some colour and texture with plants and a good doormat.
Little details matter. Give them the attention they deserve and a home’s entrance will thank you.