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Design Ideas
Modern Wood Front Doors & Color Trends
We explored some of the latest trends in modern front door design and entry systems, including natural wood options and front door color choices.
Your front door arguably embodies the personality of your home. As the primary point of entry, a front door gives a visitor the first impression of the space they’re about to enter. So, what does your front door say about you and the overall feeling of your home? Two growing trends in entry systems are modern-style natural wood front doors and boldly painted or stained front doors. We explored these to get a sense of what’s popular in front door design and why. For those considering a front door upgrade, we also note a few things to be aware of when planning for replacement.
Front Door Trends: Natural Wood
Increasingly, homeowners are opting for a natural wood front door, especially if their home is modern in design. The tones and textures of a natural wood front door infuse organic warmth to the stark lines and austere finish on the exterior of a modern-style home. There are certain wood species that particularly lend themselves to a warm point of entry: mahogany, white oak, and walnut. By embracing simplicity in front door design, homeowners allow the natural beauty of the wood grain to add alluring contrast while commanding attention. Many homeowners simply add a clear coat to finish a natural wood front door, allowing that inherent beauty to be on full display and to enjoy the natural mellowing that comes with age.
While some choose to embrace the purity of the wood species, others opt for a rich stain to accentuate a different aesthetic. For example, adding a nutmeg stain to the white oak door below achieves a depth of color that makes the front door really pop, especially when side by side with the slate grey exterior walls of the home
More homeowners today are choosing to lean into simplicity by embracing understated lines, flat panels, and clear glass without decoration. Mahogany is particularly adept at achieving this with its uniform grain while also upholding superior performance on the home’s exterior.
Size is another front door trend that’s been “growing” as well. It’s becoming more common to see front doors well over 8 feet tall and 3 feet wide. One reason is that window strength and energy efficiency has improved so much that new homes are being built with huge windows, and front doors are simply keeping up with the scale of the rest of the home. A larger front door also achieves a sense of grandiosity and functionality.
Front Door Color Trends
Meanwhile, front door colors are trending bold, dark, and moody. Whether selecting a wood stain or a paint color, the decision to choose a dark-hued front door adds serious drama to the entry system. If this appeals to you, just note a few words of caution before you take your front door to the dark side. It’s important to consider how a front door will be sheltered from the punishing rays of the sun, which can expedite fading and require more maintenance, sometimes yearly. Dark colors absorb more heat than light ones, and that should factor into your thinking when selecting color.
Front door trends have regional variations. While dark colors, such as deep navy blues and sleek blacks, are having a moment right now, the opposite effect is popular in the Pacific Northwest. Perhaps to fly in the face of frequent grey skies, homeowners are painting their front doors bright, cheery colors. These optimistic splashes of color can offer a sense of buoyancy and truly highlight a home’s personality. We may even see a few front doors this year that pay tribute to one of Pantone’s colors of the year for 2021, “Illuminating,” which conveys warmth and positivity.
Factors to Consider When Planning a Front Door Upgrade
Planning for a front door upgrade or choosing your front door as part of a custom build is exciting. The following points of caution can go a long way when planning for a front door you can enjoy for years to come.
Note your front door’s orientation to the sun. The intensity of the sun’s rays can take quite a toll on your front door, causing fading of wood tone or paint color. If your front door faces south and does not have an overhang, you will probably need to paint, or re-stain, every two years or more to maintain the original luster and tone of the door.
Do you have an overhang? The question of whether you have an overhang is a big one when it comes to protecting the integrity of the entry system. Many door manufacturers only issue a warranty to doors protected by a sufficient overhang.
Consider your climate If you happen to live in the north, it’s likely that you’ll need a storm door in front of your actual front door to protect against weather. While necessary in some climates, a storm door might also detract from the overall look and feel of your front door. If this applies to you, consider if the storm door can be clad in a color or material that complements the front door it precedes.
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