Boost Your Curb Appeal With The Nostalgic And Trendy Front Door Style

Classic craftsmanship proves to be timeless, once again, with heritage-style doors making a big comeback in contemporary home design. Borrowing from design aesthetics popular in eras past — think Georgian-inspired silhouettes, stained-glass details, and rich paneled hardwoods — heritage-style doors combine all the aesthetic beauty of historic living, but with modern upgrades that stand up to the performance needs of today. In a time when many houses are leaning into minimalism and turning to mass-produced finishes, these more traditionally styled doors lend an air of elegance, sophistication, and charm that sets your home apart. 

Part of this shift from convenient uniformity to heritage artistry may be due, in part, to a renewed interest in authenticity in design. People are seeking materials that feel substantial and rooted in a space and place. Heritage doors, with their more intricate elements and stately feel, appear more curated and architecturally rich than everyday, turnkey doors. 

But heritage doors don't mean you have to be old and boring. Adapting these designs with trendy front door colors or additional modern flair won't mitigate the door's historic attraction and will enhance your curb appeal. It's a front door trend that will elevate the look of your home this year and for many years to come. 

Choosing the right heritage door is key since it's the first impression of your home. And different door designs align with specific eras. For example, Georgian and Federalist-style doors from the 18th and early 19th centuries often featured heavy paneling, symmetry in design, classical proportions, contrasting dark colors, and semicircle transoms — all well suited for homes today made of brick or built with that symmetrical facade of Federalist mansions. 

In contrast, Victorian styles from the 19th to early 20th centuries may feature highly decorative elements like heavy ornamentation, elaborate scrolling, decorative trim, and stained or frosted glass in intricate panels. These designs may be best suited for homes today with dramatic design like sloped roofs, bay windows, or radial architectural elements.

For more modern-looking homes, heritage-style doors from early 20th-century architecture, like Craftsman and bungalow styles can also bring a historic elegance to your front door without clashing entirely with the house's overall design. Doors with flat paneling, for example, dress up a home without overwhelming it with ornamentation, a hallmark of Craftsman door design. Sidelights, those vertical, skinny windows on either side of your front door, are also a Craftsman staple, letting natural light stream into the entrway and creating an interesting look without being overly dramatic. If you want heritage but feel that elaborate Georgian or Victorian doors may clash with your home's style, look to Craftsman- and bungalow-styled doors as equally historic and eye-catching.

Getting a heritage-style door needn't mean an entire replacement of your existing one. There are a few tips and tricks to easily upgrade your front door without too big an intervention. One of the easiest, fastest ways to get a heritage look on a budget is to replace your hardware to reflect the time period you're emulating. To get a Victorian door look, for example, consider installing brass hardware with elaborate engravings and ornamentation. Items like door knockers and carved door handles were quintessential in the Victorian era, and you can dress up your current front door for a heritage look and feel.

You also can paint your front door to get that historical air of elegance. Colonial and Federalist doors were almost always painted a dramatic pop of color, whether it was the iconic colonial red of New England architecture or the dark, stormy blues, chocolates, reds, or greens of the Federalist style. Paint your door one of these colors to complement your home's architectural features that lean Federalist, like brickwork or wooden cladding. 

Lastly, for an ultra-budget-friendly heritage upgrade to your front door, look to window decals and film that mimic the look of stained glass, but don't necessitate the same care or cost. With this option, you can make your front door look like it's from a number of eras, including Art Nouveau, Victorian, or old English. These decals also provide additional privacy and add color and depth to your door. Something the Victorians would absolutely be proud of.