When conceiving a thoughtful, design-forward building, there are a great many aesthetic elements that come into play—the style of the home, the right materials, corresponding colours, windows, roofing, landscaping and on and on… each with seemingly endless choice. A door may not, at first thought, seem like a subject that requires much thought. However, the impact or lack thereof that a refined entryway provides should not be underestimated. A beautifully crafted door can tie opposing factors together, add an element of surprise or showcase unique taste and style. They might be very utilitarian—opened and closed without thought a million times a day, but the right door in the right space can change the look—and the feeling, of any room. Set each and every area in your home apart with architectural and functional pieces that sing.
It’s frequently said that first impressions mean everything, so a striking front door should be high on the list of priorities. This piece that makes a strong case for a standout design detail; it has the ability to entirely change the look of a building’s façade. The first quandary one must address is whether to use a single or double door style—both have their positives, often depend on the space available and may be arched or perfectly straight-lined. For a more stately appeal, oversized doors that are solidly constructed, or an ornately wrought door with intricate ironworks are superior and classic selections. For traditional or more rustic buildings, timber is the material of choice with options that run the gamut from reclaimed wood to mahogany to lacquered and beyond. Here it’s important to choose a piece that suits the aesthetic of the building. Unusual materials, like bronze offer historical context and make a bold, spectacular architectural statement—like a piece of art that just happens to be a part of a building.
Create a striking contrast with a bold colour—scarlet red and cobalt blue are popular, to take transitional homes to the next level or add a coat of high gloss finish to ensure an eye-catching effect. Lites (the glass panes) maximize the sun’s luminous quality, whether part of the door itself or at the top or sides. A custom doorframe can offset an otherwise minimal entryway, while adding symmetrically placed greenery to the surrounds offers a refreshing, welcoming air, framing the main door with elegance.
Stunning door designs are not just for front of house—the powder room, bedrooms and study may all benefit from a carefully chosen design. There is an array of spectacular options created for interior spaces too—just because there are more of them doesn’t make the design impact any less significant. The standard paneled, hinged doors are prominent for a reason, but choices abound—go for types that will command attention every once in a while. Sliding doors, similar to ones typically used to walk out to a patio (but indoors instead) look contemporary and clean lined; barn doors can be placed in this category and lend an industrial air to rooms. Double doors area surefire way to make certain areas feel dignified and elegant—an ideal selection for the entrance to a grand dining room (extra points for glass with contrast framing and lots of lites). Pivot doors are hinged at the top and the bottom and swing open in their frame, saving space and looking cool all the while.
To break up extra large square footage, an accordion door should be a strong contender. This style features multiple panels that fold neatly together at one end of the doorframe, allowing for a larger or more intimate area as required. Pocket doors are another space-saving solution that work brilliantly in smaller areas. These compact doors slide into the wall, all but disappearing when open, and can be rendered solidly or in glass to further add the illusion of light and space. The clean, modern aesthetic of a louver door offers airy ventilation; the vertical slats that remain virtually dust-free for little to no maintenance—and they have a distinctly harmonious vibe.
Last, but certainly not least, are the doors leading to outside entertaining spaces. Here, forgoing the standard sliders is a good idea (although custom options are gaining in popularity and style). Small or large, these entryways have the beautiful ability to bring nature straight inside. Regardless of the wall measurements, oversize is the best bet and an excellent opportunity to utilize accordion or hinged doors (depending on climate, of course).
Simple details may not seem to carry a great weight, but it’s exactly these small choices that can make or break any building. An elegant or eye-catching entryway wields the power to dramatically change the aesthetics and architectural triumph of any building—inside and out. And we haven’t even addressed the hardware yet.
