Enhance your front entrance

What you need to know:

The front entrance to your home is where first impressions are made. It is the first place you see each time you come home. It is representative of the interior and should be kept attractive to give off a good impression of a home, writes Gloria Kemigisha

In Feng Shui, it is believed that your front door is where all the vital energy that circulates through your home enters. A pleasing entrance will attract positive energy along with new opportunities, abundance and vitality. Therefore, it is important to usher in as much energy as possible by making your front entrance as appealing and inviting as possible. The following tips will help you achieve this all year.

Lead them in
Guide guests from the street or drive to the front door with a clearly marked and well-maintained path. Be sure the pathway is in good repair. Are stepping-stones loose or cracked? If so, be sure to make those repairs as soon as possible. If you do not have a path to your door, consider creating one by adding stepping-stones or defining a path with flowerbeds.

Keep it clear
Cut back overgrown plantings that block views of the front door or spill over onto walkways. Clear away the debris that may have accumulated on your front yard. Make sure the path to your front door is clear of obstacles such as fallen tree limbs or overgrown bushes. Flowers and plants in containers are easy to maintain and can be rearranged at any time. Here, the white accents on the house extend to the planters and flowers.

Make the point of entry pop
A can of bright, bold paint that contrasts with the siding and trim is an easy way to revamp a tired entry. Against the stone facade, this orange-red door cheerfully leads visitors inside. Consider the style of your home and choose colours accordingly.

Light the way
Good lighting is a must for both convenience and safety. Add a light on either side or above your door. Also consider lighting the edge of the path to your door with small solar lights. This will lead your guests right to your front entrance as well as ensure everyone’s safety. Use low-voltage lights to illuminate pathways and lanterns on posts for general yard lighting.

It is okay to splurge
An entryway is a prime location to splurge on an expensive material, such as the wooden, double-wide front door or framed stone walkway seen here. With these elements, you don’t need much to achieve a polished look, and they will impress potential buyers in the future, in case.

Protect visitors
Add a roof over the front door to keep rain or sun off visitors while they ring the bell (and off you while you fish for your keys). Give the space a sense of warmth and comfort by placing a piece or two of weather-resistant furniture near the entry.

Doorbells and chimes
Be sure your doorbell works and can be heard throughout your home. If you don’t like the sound of your doorbell consider replacing it with a chime or bell. If your doorbell is broken, repair it as soon as possible. A broken doorbell is symbolic of missed opportunities.

Front door flexibility
Make sure your front door can open at least 90 degrees without hitting any obstructions such as shoes or furniture. The space just inside your front door should be free of clutter.

After you open the door
Be sure whatever greets you is beautiful and peaceful. If you can, create a foyer by adding a table with a mirror or artwork above it. Keep fresh flowers on the table so you are always greeted by beauty and pleasing smells. If you don’t have space for a table, hang your favourite piece of artwork, a photograph, or an attractively framed mirror on the wall where you will see it whenever you enter your home. A pleasing entryway will lift your spirits every time you leave and come home – a great way to start and finish your day.