Staging Tips~~Exterior Entrance

Ten Ways to Upgrade your Exterior Entrance for a Great First Impression

Imagine you pull up to house with a potential buyer and they look at the front entrance and a silent pause occurs.  Never under estimate the value of that first impression.  Below are some strategies to create a welcoming front entrance for under $200.

Here’s what you can do to make welcoming happen on the cheap.
Clear Pathway. The route to your front door should be at least 36 inches wide so people can walk shoulder-to-shoulder, with an unobstructed view and no stumbling hazards. So get out those trimmers and cut back any overhanging branches or encroaching shrubs.

Light the route. Landscape lighting makes it easy to get around at night. Exterior Solar-powered LED lights you can just stick in the ground, requiring no wiring, are surprisingly inexpensive. We found 8 packs for under $60 online.

Glossy Door Paint. Borrow inspiration from Europe's lovely row houses, whose owners assert their individuality by painting their doors in high-gloss colors. The reflective sheen of a royal blue, deep green, crimson, or whatever color you like will ensure your house stands out from the pack.


Update door hardware. Clean and polish up the handles on the big front door. Or better yet, replace it with a shiny new brass lockset with a secure deadbolt. Available for about $60.

Ding Dong. Doorbells may be the norm, but a hefty knocker is a classic that will never run out of battery life, and another opportunity to express yourself (whatever your favorite animal or insect is, there’s a door-knocker in its image).

Greenery. Urns and boxwoods are always tidy-looking, the definition of easy upkeep. A pair on either side of the door is traditional, but a singleton is good, too. About $25 at garden centers. In cold climates, make sure pots are frost-proof (polyethylene urns and boxes mimic terracotta and wood to perfection).

Digits. Is your house number/address clearly visible? That’s of prime importance if you want your guests to arrive and your pizza to be hot. Stick-on vinyl numbers in a variety of fonts make it easy, starting at about $4 per digit.

Muddy. A hardworking  door mat for wiping muddy feet is a must. A thick coir mat can be had at the hardware store for less than $20. Even fancier varieties can be found well under $50.

Lighten the Mood. Fumbling for keys in the dark isn’t fun. Consider doubling up on porch lights with a pair of lanterns, one on each side of the door, for symmetry and twice the illumination or use brighter light bulbs where possible. Many mounted lights are available well under $100.

Snail mail. Mailboxes run the gamut from roadside novelties masquerading as dogs, fish, or what-have-you to sober black lockboxes mounted alongside the front door. Whichever way you go, make sure yours is standing or hanging straight, with a secure closure, and no dings, dents, or rust. The mail carrier will thank you.