Ideas to add personality to your front door

Hey there friend. The gorgeous warm days here in Joburg at the moment have me all fired up to style our home with fresh Spring ideas.

The very first area that I want to share with you is our entranceway (or front door or entrance area). Not really sure what to call it. The bottom line is that a bit of personality will make your guests & most importantly, you & your family, feel instantly welcome at home. Your door might be large & impressive or maybe you have very limited space with an apartment door right opening onto a shared passage.

Either way, here are some ideas – all totally renter-friendly – that you can use to add some personality to your home entrance:

Take away the ‘stuff’

We often have a bicycle, toys & even shoes lying outside our front door, so the easiest way to create a more welcoming feeling is to take away anything that is not neat or decorative.

Add a welcome mat

When last did you change your door mat? I found this “Hi there” welcome mat on sale at Mr Price Home.  You can also make your own (check our this DIY) or order a personalised doormat from Netflorist.

Spruce up your door

I’m dreaming of a bright yellow front door. Or a black one. A Nottinghill-blue door or even a bold red version! But for now, I used a vinyl sticker from Match Set Love to give our wooden door a bit more character. You can also play around with vinyl pictures, shapes or even your surname. Or why not do somehting with washi tape, a new door knob or knocker? All really easy & removable ideas.

Add a plant or some greenery

We are lucky to have some beautiful creepers growing agains our walls. Our niece thinks it looks like a ‘cottage in the woods’! I also like to add a potted plant or small tree next to the door for a more welcoming look. Even if you have only a small passage outside your door, you can add wall-mounted planters with colourful flowers on either side of your entrance.

Have a seat 

Nothing says welcome like a bench, small table or a statement outdoor chair.  We’ve placed a small mosaic table & four chairs in our little courtyard entranceway. It creates a really homey look & we even have our late afternoon coffee here.

Consider what guests will see when you open the door

Now that you have given the area outside of your front door some new life, remember to make sure that the first look inside your home is also pleasant. In other words: declutter then place flowers, a plant, shelf or painting in the spot that guests will first see.

So, there you have it. Our mini entryway makeover. Simple but welcoming.

Before:

After:

Thank you for visiting. Please come again soon.

Yolandi ♥

Images: Andrea Fedder for aZestyLife.