Homeowners in America today are all about adding personalized appeal and reflective character to their homes. The do-it-yourself tracks were laid back in the 1980’s when Bob Vila’s popular home improvement television show, “This Old House”, hit the air and Time-Life Books published their “Home Repair and Improvement” series. Next, the big warehouse-style home improvement stores started taking the place of the little hardware store. Finally, do-it-yourself programs and networks took over a chunk of television view time.
The keys to great custom look in a home’s door design are creativity and diligent planning. One of the best places to start when designing a dream home is the front door. This is not only the main entryway to the home; it is the first impression maker for every guest who comes by. Entering a person’s home is the equivalent of stepping into their individual little corner of the world. The entryway needs to convey a clear message of what can be expected on the other side. The style, color, material and layout of a home’s front entryway can say a lot about the people who live in the house.
The color, material and style of the door itself can send a strong message all on its own. We talked with the American Window & Door company who explained, “Some materials, including metals like copper or steel, can have a cold feel to them conveying that the interior environment may be cold as well. Conversely, a warmer material such as wood can be more welcoming to visitors. Color can have a strong effect on the observant visitor as well. A plain white door can feel stark and sterile while a red door can feel hostile. An unpainted wooden front door came induce a sense of natural comfort and ease.”
When designing the front entryway of a home, it is important to spend time on the planning, consider in aspect in detail and have a clear idea in mind before venturing into the actual creation. It is recommended to find and use an array of resources in the designing process. In a recent article from the Huffington Post, famous actor Ashton Kutcher, said he used Houzz, a home design website, in order to explore many options before committing to a final design plan when remodeling his mother’s basement. There are many similar websites available although some charge a fee.
However, not every design expert recommends using the online design sites. Some recommend using specialized software on an in-home computer. The disadvantage to both of these methods is that the product on the computer screen often does not offer a realistic rendering of the final project. The colors on the screen may not be what are seen by the naked eye. Making the entryway of a house into an awe-inspiring passage into the home requires personalizing touches. Adding a plaque with the family’s name on it or a pull-cord rather than the standard doorbell can infuse the space with unique character and charm.
HGTV’s website, as well as many of their television programs, advocates that the only thing truly needed for a great design of any part of the home is creative thinking, personal actualization and lots of sweaty hard work. The person who is clear about the type of home they have, the environment of their home and the message they wish to convey to visitors are the homeowners who will have the most success in designing every aspect of their perfect dream home.
