Your front door is often the first thing people see when they visit your home, so it’s the first opportunity to showcase your style.
A carefully chosen front door design can completely change how your home is perceived, along with the additional benefits of making it more secure and energy efficient.
We’ve put together this handy guide to show you how to design a front door for your home, from the material choices to the styles and designs available, plus accessories too.
Read on to find out how you can really personalise the entrance to your home to create a beautiful first impression.
It can be easy to get over excited and begin with front door aesthetics, but there are several considerations to start with when it comes to front door design.
Security
When purchasing a new front door, security is your top priority. The two most important factors are what the door is made from and the door lock. The better they are, the less likely an intruder can break in quickly and the more likely they’ll be caught in the act.
Our composite doors will give you peace of mind as they offer the highest level of security, with steel reinforced PVC frames, insulated glass reinforced plastic and a comprehensive 4 hook and central deadbolt locking system.
Practicalities
It’s useful to look at your existing door and ask a few questions, such as “Would this work better if it opened the other way?” “Do I need more natural light?” and “Do I need to block out external noise?” You may have accessibility considerations such as being able to manoeuvre a wheelchair through the door. These questions can help you decide what your door needs to achieve for you.
We’re putting this high up on the list as it’s worth thinking about the smaller touches to save disappointment if the door you’ve chosen won’t accommodate them!
Mechanics
This might seem very simple, but deciding which way you want the door to open is an important decision, to factor in the layout of your house or just the way that you prefer to open a door. As well as choosing which side you want the door to open, take into consideration whether you want the door to open in or out. Think about how your current door opens, any furniture or structural features, and where coats, bags, shoes, keys etc get placed/abandoned!
Accessories and hardware
If you’re short on budget and want to jazz up your existing front door, then swapping out hardware like letterboxes, doorbells, doorknobs and handles is a simple fix. These items should be taken into consideration at the design stage rather than an afterthought as they all add to the appeal of your front door.
Pay attention to your letterbox – doors that reduce the thermal loss through a letterbox are a good choice, and the positioning of your letterbox is important. Placing it towards the bottom of your door may not work if your mobility becomes reduced – or if you have a dog that has a penchant for post!
It’s important to make the right decision when it comes to front door designs. A good starting point is deciding if you would like your front door to match the look of your house or contrast it.
Front door style
With so many styles of front door design available, choosing a style can be somewhat overwhelming. If your house feels a little plain, then you could opt for a door that has the ‘wow’ factor. Alternatively, you may prefer your front door to blend in with the current surroundings.
You might choose a traditional door for a contemporary house, a contemporary door for a traditional house or something really quirky, it’s completely your choice. If you live in a conservation area or your property is listed, you may opt for a timber front door to maintain your home’s charm and character.
Panelled or plain, glazed or unglazed, there really are so many fantastic front door design ideas out there.
Front door colours
If you want to create a seamless flow from outdoors in, choose a door colour that works in harmony with the interior paint colours. Or you might want to match the style or shade of existing windows, cladding, roof tiles, beams or hues in a front garden.
On the other hand, bold and bright front doors are a growing trend, such as cheerful mustard or vibrant teal. If you’d like a more subtle colour, then pastel greens and blues add interest without being too much.
Interior front door design
When it comes to front door design, it’s easy to just think about the colour of the front of the door, but you may want the option to choose the interior colour. You can use your hallway or lounge for inspiration – do you need a lighter colour to bounce more light around the space? Or go bold with a vibrant colour to match accessories and artwork.
A great way to start designing your own front door is to find images of similar houses to yours for inspiration, or you can take a walk or drive around your neighbourhood. A moodboard will help you keep all your ideas together, you could keep physical images in a scrapbook or use an online site such as Pinterest.
Our ‘design a door‘ feature on our website will let you get creative, and give you ideas of what options are available. And if you’re stuck for inspiration, our friendly team is always here to help.
Let there be light
There are two lighting considerations when it comes to designing a new front door: natural and electrical light.
Natural light
Glazed panes in the door itself and panels alongside a door will let more natural light in, opening up a dark hallway or front room. A glass panel can add an extra design element to your home, and you can make choices about the glazing, including panes and stained glass.
Just make sure that all the glass in and around your front door is made from strong safety glass.
Lighting to accompany your door
Installing a light over your front door is a fantastic upgrade, as it adds a welcoming touch, deters burglars and helps you to find your keys when it’s dark outside.
Our suggestion would be a good quality outdoor wall light that casts an illuminating glow around your front door.
Patterned tiles
Adding patterned tiles to the doorstep or walkway can add even more interest to the front of your house. Just ensure that they are specifically exterior tiles, preferably with anti-slip properties for firmness underfoot.
Greenery and foliage
A simple way to add a splash of colour to the front of your house is to introduce some plants or small trees at the side of your door. Door wreaths are another popular way to add some personality and they aren’t just for Christmas these days, with many designs available to add a homely, welcoming feel all year round.
Choosing a door that is durable, hardwearing and secure is a worthy investment. Composite doors are an excellent choice, as they are made from a variety of materials including steel, making them an efficient, durable and strong option. They are also excellent at retaining heat, keeping your home well-insulated, and will withstand even the harshest British weather. When it comes to personalising your entrance way, there are so many composite front door designs to choose from. Have a browse through our range of composite doors to be inspired.
If you are looking for a more cost effective option, why not consider a uPVC front door? These doors have been developed over the years to be more affordable and secure, although there are limited styles available. You can see our range of uPVC front doors here.
We hope you’ve found this guide to front door design useful. If you need any help or advice, then please get in touch. With over 40 years of experience in designing front doors, we can offer suggestions and show previous customer projects to help inspire you.
Get started with designing your own front door.