Make an entrance.
Bold colors, soft lighting, graphic house numbers, pretty planters, and fun accessories make a welcome addition to your front entryway.
Door in Simply Aqua (5008-10A); valspar.com
Starfish Wreath, $120; etsy.com/shop/beachgrasscottage
Frog Indoor/Outdoor Rug, $138 (4' x 6'); dashandalbert.com
Color it bold.
Nothing has a bigger impact on a front door than fresh paint, which boasts curb appeal and provides protection from the elements. First buff the door with 220-grit sandpaper, and then prime it so that paint adheres better. According to Pat Sandor, a how-to expert at The Home Depot, “a smoother finish, like a semi- or high-gloss, will help prevent moisture from creeping in and forming mildew.”
From top to bottom:
Ebbtide (SW6493); sherwin-williams.com
Folly Green (76); farrow-ball.com (Try Easygoing Green (VR047C) for similar: valspar.com)
Martha Stewart’s Peony Orange (MS032); (Try Tropical Paradise (VR006C) for similar: valspar.com)
Light it up.
Add ambience with a hanging lantern or nautical-style sconces. Materials such as unfinished copper or brass look even better with patina, says Gale Singer, president of Circa Lighting. Another tip: Use frosted bulbs for softer light and less glare.
Charleston 1-Light Outdoor Pendant in Oil-Rubbed Bronze, starting at $159; ballarddesigns.com
Play the numbers.
Make sure guests (and mail carriers) can find your home with house numbers that are easily visible and have a coastal vibe.
Eames House Numbers in Paprika, $38 each; heathceramics.com
Get some life.
Extend a warmer welcome with planted pots. Check out local nurseries for low-maintenance plantings, such as succulents, that thrive in your plant zone.
South Seas Planter, $115; hayneedle.com
Accessorize with style.
Door knockers, mailboxes, and pretty wreaths are like jewelry for front doors. Add one or two—but don’t overdo it.
Anchor Door Knocker, $105; michaelhealy.com
