Front doors, porches and patios can make a powerful first impression. Check out twelve HighCraft projects for front entry inspiration.
1. FARMHOUSE VERANDA
The choice to forego railings gives this farmhouse a more modern feel. The result is a wide-open and welcoming western veranda rather than a closed-in country porch.
The wide steps, friendly barn light sconces, and dramatic trim color make for a confident, yet inviting, front entry.
Explore the full interior and exterior farmhouse photo gallery HERE.
2. SOFT CONTEMPORARY
This front entry reflects the home’s soft-contemporary design style – a mix of sleek modern lines with homey touches, including a combination of stucco, natural stone and the added warmth of wood siding.
Another softer, more personal touch is a friendly bronze sculpture of a bear that greets visitors on the front porch.
Tour this home, and learn more about the soft-contemporary design style, HERE.
3. ZEN SIMPLICITY
Inspired by Japanese art and culture, our clients wanted their front entry and living space to reflect shibui design: an aesthetic that values minimalism, craftsmanship and the use of natural materials.
Like a magnet, the natural cedar door draws visitors up the clean walkway lit by lantern glow at night.
Explore this whole house remodel, including before-and-after photos, HERE.
4. TIMBER FRAME SEATING AREA
This custom home in Livermore was designed with multiple outdoor living areas, including a seating area on the front patio shown in the rendering (above).
Today, the finished porch with its timber frame construction also makes for an impressive and spacious front entry.
Check out the full interior and exterior photo gallery HERE.
5. CRAFTSMAN CORBELS
Architectural details, like these timbers with Craftsman corbels, add rustic character and structural stability to a wrap-around front porch west of Fort Collins.
This foothills home included an extensive outdoor living remodel, which was featured in Qualified Remodeler magazine.
Compare before-and-after remodeling photos, and read the Qualified Remodeler article, HERE.
6. HOBBIT-INSPIRED DESIGN
These homeowners are huge fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s book The Hobbit and the subsequent movies. They especially love the fictional homes of the hobbits, characterized by lantern light, round windows and doors, and the use of natural materials.
They didn’t want a completely circular front door on their mountain home west of Loveland, “But we did want archways and round windows,” says the homeowner.
See the full photo gallery of this off-grid mountain homestead HERE.
7. STORYBOOK COTTAGE
Speaking of storybook design with arched doorways, we love this playful garage in Old Town Fort Collins.
Yes, this post is about front entries, but we’re bending the rules a bit to include the private entry to a once ho-hum garage that we remodeled into a classic storybook cottage with an outdoor seating area.
The entry includes arched beams, and an arched door in knotty cedar with arts and crafts hardware. Cedar shake shingles accentuate the entry door with its thick porthole window.
Explore this garage, and four others, in “5 Gorgeous Garages.”
8. HOMAGE TO HALLOWEEN
Although this circa 1905 house is not Gothic Revival architecture, our fun-loving clients wanted to give the front exterior a few gothic touches, including dark trim, metal hairpin fencing, and gargoyles at the front door.
The refurbished front entry is beautiful and functional throughout the year, and a must-see destination for trick-or-treaters on Halloween.
View the finished exterior facelift, including photos of the home fully decorated for the holiday, in “All Decked Out for Halloween.”
9. CUSTOM METALWORK
At HighCraft, we believe every remodeling project – large or small – deserves quality craftsmanship, like this custom front door and side gate replacement in Fort Collins.
(BEFORE, left) the front door and side gate lacked character, and the solid French doors made the interior foyer dark and uninviting. (AFTER, right) the new French doors and side gate – fabricated with matching custom metalwork – elevate the front entry’s appeal. And because the new front doors have frosted glass, the interior foyer is flooded with natural light.
10. FRENCH DOORS WITH PERGOLA
This project proves that a simple yet well-made wooden pergola can transform an underwhelming front entry into one loaded with charisma.
French doors open wide to welcome guests into the home. And oversized sidelights flank the solid doors, providing ample light in the foyer.
11. FRONT PATIO WITH BBQ
This project shows the beauty and versatility of humble concrete to create a welcoming living space on the front of a home. In addition to the overhead pergola, the patio includes seating, easy access to the kitchen, and an outdoor grilling station with prep surface, countertop outlets and task lighting.
For added security and convenience, we created a built-in delivery drop box by the front door.
Explore this project, and nine others, in “10 Ideas for Outdoor Living Spaces.”
12. DRAMATIC LIGHTING
Lighting is one of the most important aspects of good design.
On the exterior, it can improve safety, create a dramatic focal point, and enhance the curb appeal of your home.
Tour this beautiful Lake Loveland remodel HERE.
And explore some amazing light fixtures in “Let there be Light.”
Whether you build new construction, or remodel what you have, HighCraft’s experienced design-build team is here to help with your project, large or small. Contact HighCraft with questions or to schedule a free consultation.
