4 Ways to Improve Your Front Entry

 4 Ways to Improve Your Front Entry 

Your front entry is a transitional space that separates your inner sanctuary from the outside world, is integral to your home's curb appeal and is likely the first thing your guests will notice when they arrive. This is where you welcome your family and friends into your home and where they will form their first impressions of what they expect to find inside. 

Naturally, we all want our homes to appear inviting and welcoming, and your front entry is key to achieving this. Of course, if you are planning on selling your home sometime soon, you also need to consider the fact that a lackluster of cluttered facade could discourage potential buyers from taking that step between driving by and scheduling a showing. 

Whether or not you are considering selling your home, now is the perfect time of year to add improving your front entry to your list of home improvement projects. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah, Winter Solstice, and New Year's Eve are just a handful of the coming holidays that will likely bring an increased number of guests to your door. You can make sure they feel welcome -- and maybe even a little envious -- by using the following four tips for improving your front entry. 

1. Add a Porch or Patio

This is a larger home improvement project, but if you do not have a porch or patio, you really should consider adding one. Even a simple, inexpensive landing will create a more welcoming entry to your home. A covered entry is particularly nice and gives your guests protection from the sun or rain while they wait for you to answer the door. If there is not room for a patio, consider installing a stone or brick walkway between the guest parking area and the door.

2. Replace or Paint Your Front Door 

If your door has seen better days, this is an easy way to immediately improve your home's curb appeal. You will need a handyman to properly hang it, but this is a smaller project that will fit most homeowners' budgets. If your door is in good shape or your home improvement budget is a little tight right now, you can still completely change the look of your entry by painting the door. Pick your color using feng shui principles, current trends, psychological theories regarding the effect color has on perception or mood, or simply based on your personal style. 

3. Add a Seating Area

There is no better way to make your front entry more welcoming than to create an area that invites your guests to sit down and stay a while. A simple bench or a small, inexpensive bistro set is all you need to create a more welcoming front porch. 

4. Create a Courtyard

Creating a courtyard can be as simple as installing a garden wall to enclose the space around your entry. This can completely change the facade of your home, increases privacy and creates a functional space that you will be more likely to use. An enclosed courtyard can also function as an impromptu mud room during rainy weather and is an additional outdoor living area with the privacy that we appreciate in our backyards. 

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AimeeJo Davis-Varela is a member of The Davis Group and a freelance writer specializing in real estate, sustainable home improvement, eco-friendly landscaping, and green living. She is also the owner of Mind Your Manors, which provides second home management services.