I’m sharing 5 easy ways to refresh your front door that are DIY and budget friendly! Includes tips for accessories, adding curb appeal, planter ideas, and more.
One of the things that is personally important to me as a homeowner is curb appeal. If you ask my family, they will say that it borders on being an obsession. I love it when my yard is freshly mowed, mulch is neatly laid, and the front porch is fluffed. All of those factors contribute to curb appeal, but the most important thing, in my opinion, is the front door.
Just ask yourself…when you are walking or driving down a street, as you pass the houses, where does your eye go first? Mine goes straight for the front door, and I bet yours does too. The 5 easy ways to refresh your front door that I’m sharing below are guaranteed to impress your guests…and you will love them too.
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure statement.
1. Update your door color.
I’ve said this before, but it is worth repeating…nothing gives you more bang for your buck than paint. One quart is all it takes to paint a door. It’s definitely something that can be done in a day, and it can change the entire appearance of your porch, and in turn, the front of your home. Choose a color that you love, or be bold and choose something out of your comfort zone. When you choose a color just a little out of the ordinary, it will definitely up your curb appeal factor. Don’t be afraid to try something new, because even if you make a mistake, it’s an easy fix. After all, it’s only paint. Learn more about my blue front door.
2. Add trim around your door.
Many years ago when we bought this house, it had double front doors that had seen better days. They were inefficient and unattractive. As soon as possible, we replaced those doors with the one we have now. It was purchased at a local Home Depot that is no longer in business. Their team installed it, but no trim or finish work was included in the deal. I tried to live with it, but it looked so unfinished that we hired a carpenter to add molding all around the door. I roughly drew it out for him, and he made it happen.
If you have access to free labor, or a handy relative, a project like this would be super budget-friendly. Even though we had to pay for our labor, it was so worth it because it made such a difference in the appearance of the door area. This one simple project gave us the finished and cohesive look we wanted.
3. Refresh your front door area with pots of greenery and flowers.
Unless you have the tiniest of porches, I would bet that you have room for at least one or two pots by your front door. They don’t have to be big or expensive. Basic terra cotta pots from a discount store will do the trick. Our porch is not large, and it’s very simple, but the addition of planters flanking the door adds the most amazing curb appeal and interest. Our porch planters have changed over the years, but they always include greenery and occasionally flowers. My favorite look is twin planters filled with ferns. Last year, I filled the planters with ivy, sweet potato vine, and white impatiens. Plants like ferns and ivy seem to thrive with very little care, so they are super easy to maintain.
4. Update house numbers, mailbox, door hardware, and lights.
After we installed the new front door, we slowly updated all the other elements on the porch. We replaced old brass lights, the mailbox, and the house numbers. In the picture above you can see that all those elements coordinate with the door hardware. Keeping your metals in the same tone gives your door area a very cohesive look.
Take Your Time
No where is it written that your list of updates has to be tackled all at once. Porch elements can definitely be replaced or refurbished a little at a time. When we were updating our porch, we began with the door. The next year, we added the trim around the door. The summer after that, we installed new lights. Last but not least, we updated the mailbox, and hung a new address plaque. Taking the project slowly allows you to be sure of your choices. It also provides you with time to save money, so you can get exactly what you want.
5. Replace your doormat and wreath.
I adore doormats…almost as much as I adore wreaths! I change both of these things out when the seasons change. Even if you have a covered porch like I do, doormats get dirty and they fade. Starting a new season with a fresh and clean doormat, along with a charming wreath, can totally breathe new life into a tired front door area.
SHOP + SOURCE
Click the links below to be taken directly to the product listing. Every effort has been made to provide sources for the items found in this post. Where actual items were no longer available, I’ve provided similar options. If an item is out of stock but may be restocked, I left it on the list.
*Affiliate links included. See my disclosure statement. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
- faux galvanized planters
- hello doormat
- blue and white checked rug
- door hardware
- address plaque
- door color
- white berry wreath
- porch lights
- mailbox
- round white planters (size small: need to drill holes in the bottom)
- hello sunshine doormat
- black and white checked rug
- Welcome Home doormat
- black striped rug
The one thing we have not accomplished, and that needs attention immediately, is making our front porch railing maintenance-free. It’s currently made of wood and is in sad condition. It’s rotting in some areas and the paint is peeling. I have that on my list for this summer, so I’ll report back when the project gets started!
Author’s Note: I never got the chance to fix the front porch railing because we moved! Read our moving story HERE.
Your front porch is always so inviting! I have added faux silk flowers to my clematis vine next to my front door and faux flowers to pots not in bloom yet! I shop after holidays to get door mats and door decor on clearance to cut costs.
Ann, your front porch always looks so beautiful — no matter what season it is! You always give us such great ideas and this makes it so easy to make our porches look nice. Thanks, too, for giving us all the sources for purchasing the items. You spend so much time putting your posts together and we sure appreciate you doing this. Bless you!
Excellent ideas for a front door. I love the blue you are using on your front door. Blue is my favorite color anyway. Thank you for sharing. Jean
Not much refreshing going on here in Michigan in January! Below 30 degrees
All so pretty. Are your doormats fir outdoor use only? I never can find pretty ones like yours.
Beautiful front porch. Can you tell me if doors are painted with a flat, satin, or gloss paint?
The front door paint is a satin finish. Thank you!
Love your front porch ideas irsso cold right now but i cant wait until it warms up . I too would love an idea for our concrete porch i usually buy outside rugs. Have any thoughts or blogs for decks love to hear some of your ideas. Looking forward to seeing your next blog. Robin
Your front entrance ALWAYS looks so pretty. I would stop by happily, for sure. Very welcoming.
Hi Ann!
Your pitches are always welcoming and lovely! Your link however to Amazon is. It working. Just wanted to let you know ! Thanks for all your inspiration.
Hi Joann…thank you so much for taking the time to let me know. I so appreciate it! I fixed the link. You’re the best. :)
Just have about finished my front porch spring clean up.Got rid of the dirt and cobwebs Bought the ferns for the urns,hung up the windchimes put a new spring flower wreath on the front door, but best of all added two new rocking chairs to the area. Love to have a place for my husband and I to have our coffee in the morning and watch the birds and breath in the spring air. Thank you so much for your wonderful blog.
Sounds like a little slice of heaven. Enjoy!