BE SURE YOUR HOME MAKES A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION!

If the front door is dirty, has peeling paint, or is just underwhelming, it’s time to experience the power of a fresh coat (or three!) of paint. HGTV offers this handy step-by-step guide for painting a front door, but the most important part might be choosing the color. A few tips:

• Look for a shade that matches your style and personality. This is the entrance to YOUR home, so you want it to reflect your tastes and priorities.
• Focus on “happy” colors that lift the spirits and make you feel glad to walk into your house.
• Keep in mind how well or poorly various hues will hide dirt and smudges.
• Choose a shade that pairs well with the existing colors on your home’s exterior.

Start by cleaning the area near your home’s front door. This could include sweeping your porch or front steps, pressure washing the siding, cleaning windows on or near your front door, and so forth. Once everything has been cleaned consider adding some potted plants, a new door mat, or other accent items as space allows. You’ll also want to replace any dead light bulbs in your outside lights and maybe update their globes. If you have a walkway leading up to your door, it’s nice to line this with flower beds and put in some solar powered lights.

Although it’s primarily functional by nature, a mudroom should also be attractive as should a simple entryway. As with the outdoor space around your door, the first step in improving this indoor space is cleaning and organizing. If clutter is a major problem in your home’s entrance, add attractive storage options like:

• Custom glass wall shelves
• Storage benches
• Shoe cabinets
• Quaint coat racks

It can also be helpful to only keep weather appropriate items in the entryway each season. For instance, pack up the stocking hats and mittens when spring comes, and put away the flip-flops and sun hats during the winter!

A space that’s clean and tidy will always be more inviting than a messy one, but there’s no reason to stop there. Consider these simple ideas for making your home’s entrance even more welcoming:

• Repaint the walls in a warm, cheerful tone.
• Introduce a popular color scheme or pattern.
• Have a large custom wall mirror installed to make the space feel larger.
• Add some thoughtfully chosen wall art or décor accent items.
• Improve the lighting with an on-trend chandelier or even some table lamps.