Did you know that your entire entryway—your front door, front porch, and hallway—is the most psychologically potent zone in your entire house?

It's true. Entryways are transitional spaces where the energy of inside and outside mingles.

An entryway is the first part of your home that guests experience. So the mood of your entryway sets the tone for the rest of the house. This is why, of all the spaces in your home, it's worth investing in. 

And the impact of that investment goes even further than you think. 

Front entry doors—key components in your vestibule or entryway--play a role in defining your identity. They tell the outside world something about who you are and what you and your family value.

So, how do you want people to feel about you?

Your entryway directly affects your ability to influence the first impressions of others--whether friends, guests, neighbors, or passersby.

But your entry hallway doesn’t just make an impression on other people. It’s also powerfully influential for you. When your entryway is optimized for your daily routine, you can seamlessly transition from home to away and back. You can minimize chaos and stress, and boost your own mood. And if it's designed well, the entryway becomes a space where you can take a moment to yourself at the beginning or end of your day. Those small pauses keep you present and in the moment--wherever you're headed, wherever you are.  

How to make your entryway feel more intentional and designed

Add potted plants, vines, or other greenery.

You can do this either inside or outside, or both, depending on your level of enthusiasm and the architectural realities of your space. So you don’t have a green thumb? Have no fear—there are low-maintenance potted plants that bring texture and interest to your front step. Succulents and snake plants are virtually impossible to kill. Low-light plants like peace lilies and pothos bring life to entryways that get little sunlight. Certain plants like rosemary are even said in folklore to be lucky when planted next to a front door.  

Add a chair or bench so that guests can remove their shoes.

Being a shoe-free house, along with being the norm in many cultures, has practical benefits, too: it keeps your floors cleaner and reduces noise. It can be awkward, though, for your guests to take their shoes off while standing. Even if your entryway is very small, adding a stool or bench makes your home more welcoming for your guests the moment they set foot inside your house.

Get a statement-making light fixture.

Whether it’s a stunning floor lamp or a chandelier, a dramatic light fixture does double duty in your entryway--brightening a space that almost always needs it, and serving as a bold declaration of your style.

Invest in a distinctive work of art. 

Let whatever art you choose serve as a statement of your style, or tell your story. That could be a large print of a family photo, a framed concert poster from a musician you love, or an oil painting that features your favorite color. 

Conceal your clutter.

The entryway is apt to become the most chaotic “drop zone” in your house—where the mail gets deposited, where shoes pile up, where the earrings you put on suddenly don’t seem right so they get left in the key dish. This is normal—it happens to most of us—so plan for it with storage solutions you can conceal or visually organize. If you don’t have time to sort the mail right away, a stylish vintage letter holder makes the clutter look like you planned it. Baskets or bins in entry closets or under tables make great places to stash your “walking the dog” shoes. Get a dish or hook for your keys. 

Be deliberate with your decor. 

Decorative objects, fresh flowers, and other articles of interest should be carefully chosen here. Since your entry hallway is likely to accumulate things, make sure your decor isn't too maximalist here. 

What Your Front Door Says About You

The style of your front door is a potent symbol of your personality. Here's what these common design choices say about you: 

Traditional Entry Door

This tells the world that you have no need to chase trends. You know what you like and you’re secure in your own taste. When people walk through your classic door, they’ll think of you as reliable, authoritative, knowledgeable, and quietly regal.

Modern Front Door

A modern door tells the world that you're stylish, and a little bold. You're optimistic and looking to the future. Whether Mid Century Modern or more directional, a modern door design creates an air of excitement and possibility. 

Dutch Door

A Dutch door feels friendly and approachable. Dutch doors make your entryway feel homey, cozy, and warm. They’re also practical for families with dogs or small children, as you can open the upper leaf to receive deliveries or talk to a neighbor, while keeping the bottom leaf shut. This prevents your dog or toddler from wandering out into the street. It also keeps your home cleaner, shielding it from dirt and debris. 

Round Top Front Door

An arched or round top door usually has a fairytale, Old World feeling, evoking grand castles or quaint cottages. If you add a circular window, round top doors also can have a nautical feeling. One way or another, rounded or arch top doors are for the storytellers out there. If your home leans whimsical or you just want a door that sets you apart, choose a door with a rounded silhouette. If you're worried about installing it, look for a round top door like ours with frame out kits. A frame out kit makes it much more straightforward to install a rounded door in a rectangular frame. 

Double (French) Doors

Double doors transmit a sense of grandeur thanks to their size. You likely associate double doors with French doors. But you don't have to stick to only French style, traditional doors with panes of glass in a frame. You can create a moment of splendor with modern double doors--look for motifs like offset windows or chevron patterns. Double doors make every day feel like a special occasion, and show the world that you've arrived. 

Pivot Front Door

Pivot doors create a true moment, thanks to their unusual operation. If you have a flair for drama, pivot doors are made for you.  You’re ahead of the curve. You like to blaze trails. You value innovation and you like to take risks. When guests enter your home, a pivot door tells them to expect the unexpected.

An Entry Door With Sidelights or Transom--Or Both!

Any door unit with sidelights or transoms—glass windows beside or above the door—innately has more drama. But don’t think that sidelights are intimidating. You can use frosted glass for your sidelights to allow more natural light into your entryway while maintaining privacy. Or you can opt for clear glass for more openness and better sight lines to the outdoors. Many specialty glass styles offer something between the opacity of frosted glass and clear glass in terms of visibility. Flemish or glue chip are both popular choices for partially obscured viewpoints. At RealCraft, most of our entry doors come with the option to add sidelights or a transom window when you order online. And we can add glass sidelights or transoms to any custom door design you have in mind. 

What Your Front Door Paint Color Says About You

Red Front Door

Red is a bold color, but it also signifies prosperity and good luck in some cultures. It can clash with other bright colors and look garish, so choose red for your entry door only if the rest of your exterior is neutral.

Black Front Door

A black painted front door can be classic or modern depending on the door design itself. This paint color signals authority and security. However, any black or very dark door absolutely has to have a sufficient overhang, and ideally should not face south or west. This is because exposure to sunlight on black paint can create many problems, thanks to the rapid change in surface temperature. Cracking, paint flaking, and even swelling can occur if a black painted door has too much exposure to direct sunlight.  

Green Front Door

Green is associated with nature and money. A forest green door is traditional, without feeling stuffy, while a lighter sage green door is a more modern option. On a subconscious level, a green front door will feel alluring, welcoming, and soothing to guests. 

Blue Entry Door

A blue painted front door makes your home feel serene and calm. Associated with the sky, the sea, and healing, blue is the color for you if you want your house to feel like an oasis of peace. But a bright turquoise blue can also bring a jolt of cheerful energy as well, and a slate blue door with a gray tint brings a touch of cool authority--ideal for more traditional spaces. 

Yellow Front Entry Door

Yellow evokes sunshine, springtime, and simple feelings of warmth and happiness. A soft butter yellow pairs well with a range of styles, while bold daffodil yellow works best with neutral siding or stucco. This golden hue on your door will lift the mood of anyone who passes through it--including you!

If you're not sure which color to paint your entry door, take our quick little quiz to get steered in the right direction.