There always seems to be a great selection of estate doors and mansion doors available for larger homes with bigger front entranceways. However, many existing homes and even older or historic homes were not designed to accommodate these massive front doors.
When you have a smaller home with a narrower front step, porch or entrance you still have choices for some amazing looking front doors. With some additional revamping and renovating you may even be able to find ways to create a much bigger looking entrance which is still complimentary to a smaller walkway or front of the home.
Arched Doors
While you may not be able to go wider with double or mansion styles of front doors, single arched doors give an impression of a large door space. To further add to the height of the door, a smaller or medium sized transom which arches with the door on the bottom but has the traditional square shape on the top adds to the look of height.
The glass above the door makes the space look more open from both the inside and outside of the home. Arched doors also come in a variety of designs including the more traditional Old World style with the grill and clavos in wrought iron for a striking look. These can be ideal without the additional transom as they are solid and regal looking.
Craftsman Style Front Doors
The Craftsman styles of front doors with their dental shelf and unique, straight lines are a real eye catching front entrance. They are also very much a part of American design and blend beautifully with a range of different styles of homes.
The other two American styles to consider are the Mission and Shaker doors. These too have minimal lines and panels and typically have at least the top quarter of the door in glass.
Addition sidelights around these classic types of front doors can add to the openness and sense of space and size even with a smaller entry. Choosing a more open glass design brings in a lot of light and also opens up the entrance without adding a great deal more door space.
It is a good idea to browse around online and look at different home renovation websites to get an idea of different front doors on homes similar to the one under renovation. This is a fun way to see the options available and consider all your options.
If you aren’t sure about the right type of front doors for a smaller home, view our online inventory. At Nick’s Building Supply, Inc.
