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8 No-Fail Tricks to Make a First Impression in Your Home
First impressions count, especially in your home – use these eight simple tips to make an entrance
I was brought up with the saying, ‘Don’t judge a book by it’s cover’, which is quite difficult when you’re a creative and attracted to well thought out, visually stimulating, colourful things. First impressions count – and it is the same for your home. Paying attention to the smaller details and looking at your home as if you are seeing it for the first time will help make your entrance stand out for all the right reasons. Even if you are renting your home, and can’t make too many permanent changes (I know the feeling because I am), it doesn’t mean you have to neglect the front area and entrance. Working with what you have got and adding a few things such as pot plants, a new door mat and keeping it clean and tidy let’s others know that you care and take pride in having a beautiful and happy home.
2. Go bold or go home
If you own your home, an easy way to transform the entrance is with a lick of paint to your front door. You can be bold and choose a bright colour to instantly demand attention, or a safer option that is currently popular is red or black doors. Remember to pay attention to the style of your home as this will help dictate what colours to go for.
How to give your door a statement makeover
If you own your home, an easy way to transform the entrance is with a lick of paint to your front door. You can be bold and choose a bright colour to instantly demand attention, or a safer option that is currently popular is red or black doors. Remember to pay attention to the style of your home as this will help dictate what colours to go for.
How to give your door a statement makeover
3. Add greenery
A charming walkway leading to your front door is often a good idea as it shows thought and care. Simply placing pot plants of various shapes and sizes on the steps provides a nice contrast of greenery against the exterior of your home. It also provides shade and a softer visual during the summer months and, depending on your plant choices, can communicate your visual style, be it lush, green and tropical, of the succulent and cacti variety, or a mix of floral and cottage blends.
Read tips on getting your courtyard summer-ready here.
A charming walkway leading to your front door is often a good idea as it shows thought and care. Simply placing pot plants of various shapes and sizes on the steps provides a nice contrast of greenery against the exterior of your home. It also provides shade and a softer visual during the summer months and, depending on your plant choices, can communicate your visual style, be it lush, green and tropical, of the succulent and cacti variety, or a mix of floral and cottage blends.
Read tips on getting your courtyard summer-ready here.
4. Keep it neat and tidy
A quick weekly sweep, and watering of healthy, green plants if you’ve got them out the front adds to the first impression of your home. Dust, dirt, leaves and dry, dying plants are not a good look, so get rid of all this and upkeep the entrance way. Get yourself a door mat and an outdoor broom – a little bit of effort will go a long way.
TIP: Symmetry looks great, which is why placing a pot on either side of your door can work wonders. It creates balance and works as an extra layer that frames your front door. Choose plants that reflect the style of your home such as topiary or boxed hedges for traditional and period homes, or try flowering dwarf magnolia’s and agave varieties for more contemporary spaces.
A quick weekly sweep, and watering of healthy, green plants if you’ve got them out the front adds to the first impression of your home. Dust, dirt, leaves and dry, dying plants are not a good look, so get rid of all this and upkeep the entrance way. Get yourself a door mat and an outdoor broom – a little bit of effort will go a long way.
TIP: Symmetry looks great, which is why placing a pot on either side of your door can work wonders. It creates balance and works as an extra layer that frames your front door. Choose plants that reflect the style of your home such as topiary or boxed hedges for traditional and period homes, or try flowering dwarf magnolia’s and agave varieties for more contemporary spaces.
5. Stay festive all year round
It may be my American roots shining through, but I love a festive door – year round, that is. There is something welcoming and thoughtful that comes from hanging something on your front door – it adds a sense of fun and intrigue.
This is my front door. I chose a bright pop of red to contrast with the blue. It blends in well with my industrial style and the timbers that run through the house. You could choose an accent colour, use natural materials or even create something with your family name or house number on it.
It may be my American roots shining through, but I love a festive door – year round, that is. There is something welcoming and thoughtful that comes from hanging something on your front door – it adds a sense of fun and intrigue.
This is my front door. I chose a bright pop of red to contrast with the blue. It blends in well with my industrial style and the timbers that run through the house. You could choose an accent colour, use natural materials or even create something with your family name or house number on it.
6. Keep a clutter-free entry
When entering your home, you don’t want to be smacked in the face with ‘stuff’, so keep this area clear and clutter-free. Wipe over the door handles and entrance way with a dampened cloth and essential oils, so when you walk through the door it smells fresh and clean.
TIP: Think of the first things you do when coming home. Some of mine are putting my keys down (somewhere where I will remember them!), storing my handbag and coat, and taking my shoes off. From there, make a list of what you need to keep the order and organisation. I know I need a tray to put my keys in near the front door, a coat stand and a basket or rack for my shoes.
Read more: Keep Mess at Bay in Your Entryway With These Do-Better Tips
When entering your home, you don’t want to be smacked in the face with ‘stuff’, so keep this area clear and clutter-free. Wipe over the door handles and entrance way with a dampened cloth and essential oils, so when you walk through the door it smells fresh and clean.
TIP: Think of the first things you do when coming home. Some of mine are putting my keys down (somewhere where I will remember them!), storing my handbag and coat, and taking my shoes off. From there, make a list of what you need to keep the order and organisation. I know I need a tray to put my keys in near the front door, a coat stand and a basket or rack for my shoes.
Read more: Keep Mess at Bay in Your Entryway With These Do-Better Tips
7. Add a hall stand or console table
A handy piece of furniture for your entryway is a slimline hall stand or console table. Get a piece that is multi-functional, with drawers or shelving for storage, and place a tray for your keys and small items on top, alongside an indoor plant or fresh flowers. Remember, this is one of the first things you will see when entering the house, so keep it tidy and with a boost of colour and freshness.
A handy piece of furniture for your entryway is a slimline hall stand or console table. Get a piece that is multi-functional, with drawers or shelving for storage, and place a tray for your keys and small items on top, alongside an indoor plant or fresh flowers. Remember, this is one of the first things you will see when entering the house, so keep it tidy and with a boost of colour and freshness.
8. Add a hall runner
An option to add colour, pattern and style is the inclusion of a hall runner rug, depending on the shape and layout of your entrance. It provides a soft landing underfoot, or, depending on the climate and outdoor conditions, can act as a floor protector from wet and dirty feet. Just make sure you choose hard-wearing, water-resistant materials or protect the runner with scotch-guard.
The hall runner can also help lead the eye into your home, showing direction and taking the emphasis off any areas you don’t want to attract attention to.
TELL US
How does your home give a good first impression?
MORE IDEAS FOR ENTRIES
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Entrance Hall Inspiration … When You Don’t Have One to Begin With
An option to add colour, pattern and style is the inclusion of a hall runner rug, depending on the shape and layout of your entrance. It provides a soft landing underfoot, or, depending on the climate and outdoor conditions, can act as a floor protector from wet and dirty feet. Just make sure you choose hard-wearing, water-resistant materials or protect the runner with scotch-guard.
The hall runner can also help lead the eye into your home, showing direction and taking the emphasis off any areas you don’t want to attract attention to.
TELL US
How does your home give a good first impression?
MORE IDEAS FOR ENTRIES
Vignettes That Spark a Warm, Fuzzy Feeling the Moment You Come Home
Upcycle Your Way to a Personality-Packed Hallway
Entrance Hall Inspiration … When You Don’t Have One to Begin With
What’s the first thing your guests see when they arrive at your house? The front door, of course, which is why it’s a fantastic place to start making that all-important first impression.
When choosing or updating your front door, pay attention to the style of your home. Is it period, contemporary, beach style, ultra-modern? A common mistake I see, which is such a shame, is when the door stands out for all the wrong reasons, when really, your door should match the style of the house. See how this more period and traditional style home has been brought into the now with a pop of teal paint? It still works because the style of the door and leadlight is in keeping with the architectural style.