18 Front Entrance Ideas to Make an Inviting First Impression

Front Door Update

Change up the look of your home’s facade by switching out your front door. Here, a matte black Dutch door adds contemporary flair to a cottage-style home. Glass panels on the top half welcome natural light inside the house even when the door is closed.

House Numbers

Replacing run-of-the-mill house numbers is an eye-catching front entrance idea. This house number planter combines stained cedar planks, modern metal numbers, and lush succulent plantings for a unique front door display.

Front Walkway

Guide guests to the front door from the street or driveway with a marked and well-maintained path with outdoor lighting. Power-wash the walkway periodically to keep it clear of dirt and debris. In addition to a welcome mat, consider laying down a larger outdoor rug to give the front porch a more polished look.

Another front entrance idea? Swap house numbers for letters, spelling out your address if space allows.

Front Door Paint Colors

A splash of bright, bold paint that contrasts with your home’s siding and trim is an easy front entrance idea for a revamp. Against the white facade, this spring-green door cheerfully leads visitors inside. Consider the style and materials of your home to choose the best front door color.

Front Yard Landscaping

Cut back overgrown plantings that block views of the front door or spill over onto walkways. To keep landscaping under control, focus your gardening efforts on a few key areas that offer the most impact. Flowers and plants in containers are easy to maintain and can be rearranged anytime.

Smart Tech Installation

Today’s smart technology extends to outdoor products, including lighting, doorbells, hardware, locks, security cameras, and more. Keep track of packages with a doorbell that doubles as a video camera, or let the babysitter in with door hardware that allows remote access via phone app, a one-time code, or fingerprint entry. Coordinate the finishes on your exterior technology—the matte black on this home’s sconce, doorbell, and hardware match its modern facade—for a cohesive front entry.

Front Steps Update

Looking to boost curb appeal? These front entrance ideas can be simple and creative. Here, homeowners use paint to transform ho-hum concrete steps into a welcoming painted runner. Start by painting concrete steps a solid color; use a concrete-sealing primer and non-skid concrete paint. Once dry, select a contrasting paint color to fashion a faux stair runner.

Front Door Makeover

Paint isn’t the only way to add interest to your front door. Installing trim is a front entryway idea that adds architectural character. This curb appeal project works especially well with flat doors; add simple plywood paneling or picture molding for a DIY paneled makeover.

Front Entrance Decor

A front entryway is a prime location to splurge on attractive decorating features. Choose a few attention-grabbing elements, such as stylish outdoor lighting, a richly stained wood front door, or colorful step tiles. With these front entrance ideas, you don’t need much to achieve a polished look (and impress potential buyers in the future).

Architectural Flourishes

Research your home’s style and add appropriate architectural details such as decorative brackets, moldings, columns, and trim. If you already have those elements, bolster their appeal by giving them a fresh coat of paint or stain. Choosing a contrasting color for the trim can make these architectural details stand out.

Cohesive Front Entrance Ideas

A well-planned front entrance idea creates a cohesive look with the rest of your home’s exterior design. In this front entry, the arched window above the door is a prominent design element reappearing in the overhang. You can also apply this concept when choosing outdoor planters or patio furniture.

Front Porch Landing

Outfit your front porch with weather-resistant patio furniture to create a cozy outdoor room. A bistro set is an easy addition for any porch size and a perfect spot to relax outdoors with a cup of coffee. A welcoming wreath and pendant lighting overhead rounds out this front porch design.

Doors with Sidelights

Open up your front entry with sidelights, full-length windows flanking an entry door. This lets additional light into your home, making your entryway seem larger. Choose a window grid design that works with your home’s architectural style.

Front Walkway Update

A stone walkway adds texture and character to a front yard; you can build one on a weekend. The path should be 3-4 feet wide so two people can walk side by side. If you have an existing walkway in good shape, consider lining the edges with mulch and shrubs to define the pathway.

Easy Entryway Landscaping

Placing containers of flowers is a front entrance idea that’s an easy and inexpensive way to add a dose of eye-catching color. Vary the size and shape of containers to add interest. Another budget-friendly front entrance idea is planting garden beds with a combination of perennials for color that lasts year after year.

Front Entry Portico

If you’re ready for a significant exterior change, a porch remodel can give your front entry a completely new look. Consider adding a roof or awning over the front door for a smaller-scale addition. It will help keep rain or sun off visitors as they stand at the threshold.

Front Entrance Accessories

Create a polished and sophisticated entry by choosing exterior elements in a similar style. Look for the same color or metal finish for your entrance hardware, door knockers, house numbers, mailboxes, and porch lights. Repeating shapes seen elsewhere on the facade, such as the diamond motif repeated on this exterior, can also help tie your front entry accessories together.