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.
You’re so right, Ann, about the power of the front door. When we moved here, our front door was forest green. The house looked sleepy. We painted the door red, and suddenly the house looked alive!
I have those planters too and just love them !!! I always add creeping Jenny from my yard !
Do you happen to have full before and after pics of your front door? I also have a double front door and would like to replace with one door. My husband needs to see examples before he is on board!
Thanks so much for your blog. I love your content. And I lost my best friend, my dog Molly, 2 years ago. I cried when I read your post.
I love what you do every season. I have a question. Do you wish you had a storm door? I am redoing my whole front porch out of necessity but I no longer want a storm door. My door is wood frame with glass but getting new door is not in the budget. I live in cold PA. While it will seem strange not having a barrier when I open the door, I live alone, I am tired of how it looks. Will appreciate your opinion. Thanks😻
No…I have never wanted a storm door. I just don’t like the look from the street, and it’s difficult to add a wreath. I have not missed a barrier…but I do understand your point. I’m not sure if this would work, but can you try removing the storm door and see what you think. Good luck!
Thank you for agreeing with me lol. That’s all I needed to take it down. Blessings Ann😻
I have a glass front door and use suction hooks to hang wreaths.
I never thought about changing the hardware around the front door! What a great idea! Your porch is lovely! Thanks for the inspiration, Ann!
Good Morning Ann, I have a question for you about your galvanized planters from Hobby Lobby. Did you drill holes in the bottom for drainage or put a false bottom in them? They are beautiful, but I’m guessing they hold quite a bit of potting soil. Thank you for inspiring us with your beautiful seasonal front porch ideas! Happy Easter! 🌷🐣
Hi Sally…all the information about the planters is in this post: https://www.onsuttonplace.com/black-and-white-on-the-front-porch/ Thank you!