The Front Door Swap Jenny Marrs Recommends For Instant Curb Appeal And Charm
Experts always stress how important curb appeal is for a home. Many homeowners focus on creating an interior that is comfortable, cozy, and reflects their style. But in creating a space they love, many homeowners also forget to put the same amount of focus on the exterior of their home. The exterior is like a first impression, and since the majority of people won't see the inside, the exterior is often their only impression of a home. Jenny Marrs from HGTV's "Fixer to Fabulous" found a way to make an exterior feel more charming and help boost curb appeal. On an episode of "Home Town Takeover," Marrs helps renovate a home on a horse ranch and gives the exterior a boost. Among the other exterior facade projects, she swaps the old front door with a Dutch door.
A Dutch door is a door that's divided into two halves, often cut at about waist level. This style of door allows for the top half to be opened while the bottom stays closed or to open the entire door for a full entryway. Originating in 17th-century New England colonial homes, these doors were meant to allow air and light into the home but keep dirt and farm animals out. In modern days, Dutch doors add an old-world charm and often help to cement a farmhouse or rustic aesthetic. "A Dutch front door that is adorable," Marrs says during the reveal per YouTube. "It feels perfect for a ranch."
The appeal of a Dutch door
Jenny Marrs installs a Dutch door to a ranch home in an episode of "Home Town Takeover" in order to add a bit of charm and character to the facade. However, that's not the only reason to choose a Dutch door over a standard one. Along with adding a detail that can make a space feel more homey and rustic, Dutch doors can be functional.
Similar to how they were originally used, you can use a modern Dutch door to keep small children or pets inside the house while still getting fresh air inside. Opening just the top half can also be useful for deliveries, allowing you to receive or sign for packages without having your front door completely open to the rest of your home. While most people use Dutch doors as an exterior or front door, they can be used throughout the home as well. They make great doors for kitchens or home offices, allowing you to keep out kids or pets while still being able to keep an eye on the rest of the home through the top half.
Balancing modern aesthetics and old charm
Though a Dutch door may look unique, this type of front door isn't too difficult to find. Home Depot has one for $1,608. However, there are also door brands and retailers that sell Dutch doors, such as the Apron Dutch Door on Rustica for $1,552 or a wood finish Dutch door on Krosswood Doors for $2,194. You can also turn a standard front door into a Dutch door with a few tools and the right hardware. Use a saw to cut a front door in half, add a door sweep or wood molding to address the gap between the two halves, add the correct hardware, and reinstall the door. Since they're two separate pieces, each half will need two hinges for stability.
Dutch doors have a farmhouse charm, and adding one to the exterior of a house can bring plenty of character into a home, according to Jenny Marrs. However, just because they are reminiscent of classic farmhouses, that doesn't mean you can't use them in modern or contemporary spaces. The split style of the door is what brings the old-world charm to a space. This is why many people choose this style for their front door and modernize it with paint. A fresh coat of paint can help the Dutch door match the rest of the interior while also providing a pop of color on the exterior, which helps boost curb appeal.