Your front door is often the first thing guests notice about your home, so it is vital that it reflects your personal style and design preferences. When it comes to choosing your front door, there are many aspects to consider, including colour options, glazing, accessories, and more.
In this guide:
Read the benefits of aluminium front doors.
Find out more about the different styles and front door colours available.
Tips on front door lighting to make a great impression.
Tips on choosing the best glazing and design option for you.
We provide additional design tips on decorating your front door.
Why choose an aluminium front door?
While natural timber is obviously a beautiful and traditional material for a front door, more and more homeowners are now considering the alternatives, with aluminium fast becoming something of a must-have for many. There are a multitude of benefits to be had if you do opt for an aluminium front door – no need to repaint, unrivalled security, durability, no risk of rotting and its resilience to twisting or warping, listing just a few. Plus, of course, they come in a massive range of styles to suit all types of home.
Shop our range of aluminium front doors here.
Choosing a front door colour | Our top tips and ideas
1. Make your front door complement your cladding materials
To ensure a cohesive look, one of our top front door ideas is to either match or contrast the materials used elsewhere on your home’s exterior to your front door style. You might choose to mirror timber cladding or your aluminium windows, or any aluminium patio doors you might have, within your front door design. Alternatively, you may choose a shade for your doors and windows that will set it apart from the cladding to make it a real focal point.
Simply picking out a colour from elsewhere on your home’s facade, such as that of your window frames, and using it for your front door can really pull the whole look together.
2. Use classic tones
Subtle, classic shades, such as greys, black or white, will give your house a timeless feel that won’t date quickly and should give it wide appeal if you decide to move on. If you’re interested in introducing a bit of a brighter, individual feel but are worried about overdoing it, why not consider a mix-and-match approach? This involves keeping the outer frame of the door the same shade as other doors and windows while introducing a bolder colour on the door panel. Read our full guide to choosing a front door design here.
3. Add a pop of colour
Alternatively, you can really display your personality when it comes to your choice of front door so why not go bold by opting for a colour that shows off your individual style, whether that’s a zingy, bright shade or a light pastel tone.
4. Match your garage door
Another design idea is to match your front door with your garage doors. This is a great way to ensure the front of your house looks perfectly planned out. Origin Front Doors can be used as garage doors and come the same panel options and colours, helping you blend in and coordinate the style seamlessly and cohesively.
Origin Front Door colours
At Origin, we paint our doors using a method known as powder-coating. This means we can offer a much wider selection of colours and shades than if we were using traditional paint.
With Origin front doors, you have a choice of over 150 RAL shades. And you have the freedom of picking out different colours for the door frame, sash and panel itself, or even going for a dual-colour option, where the outside of the door matches the exterior of your home while the inside complements the interior décor.
* Some of the residential door panels shown have now been discontinued. To view our available front door panels, please visit our front doors page.
Read our guide to choosing a front door colour here.
Are you looking for an aluminium, high-quality front door?
Each home has its own unique character, and your front door is a big part of that. Our front doors are made bespoke to your needs, so you can ensure it’s making the right statement for your home:
Specify your size
Pick a panel or mid-rail option
Pick a colour on the frame, sash and panel
Select your handle & colour
Select whether you want your door to include a letterbox, knocker or a spyhole
Choose your knocker and letterbox
Pick your threshold.
Front door lighting tips
Here are some of our expert ideas you may want to consider when choosing lighting:
1. Use fanlights for extra light
In many older homes or period properties, entrance halls can really suffer from a lack of natural light. Take inspiration from a front door idea often used in period homes and ensure your entrance hallway is flooded with natural light by incorporating a fanlight above your front door. Some people choose etched glass or fit a customised window film in order to display the house name or number in their fanlight too. Origin offers a range of windows that can be installed alongside or above front doors.
Order our brochure and find your ideal front door!
2. Ensure your entrance is well lit
Let your front door take centre stage, even when the sun goes down, and create a welcoming feel for guests by ensuring your entrance is well lit. An overhead light, or wall hung lights, can look great, as can LEDs set into the floor, uplighting the door for dramatic effect.
3. Consider sidelights
Incorporating windows, or sidelights, to one side of your door or flanking it on either side is a brilliant front door idea. Not only does it ensure that your entrance hall has a bright, open and welcoming feel, but it also gives you a glimpse of outside – framing any nice views, as well as allowing you to see visitors as they approach (a great security feature). If you’re concerned about privacy, consider fitting your sidelights with an opaque glass.
Shop our full range of aluminium front doors here.
Front door glazing and configuration options
1. Opt for a partially or fully-glazed modern front door
Choose a partially or fully-glazed door to add a fresh modern feel, enable you to see who is at your door and bring extra light pouring in. Those who want to maintain privacy yet are keen to incorporate glass panes in their front door design should take a look at a model such as Origin’s Sandringham SE 01, which has a narrow strip of glazing. While anyone wanting a larger glazed aperture might like to consider a style such as Origin’s Kensington GE 01 combined with Origin Windows to the top or sides.
Are you looking for the right front door design for you? Read our guide to choosing a front door material here.
2. Create a privacy screen
If you like the idea of a glazed front door but are concerned about privacy, consider creating a visual shelter using contemporary slatted fencing or panels to screen off your entrance from your driveway. It may also be beneficial to build a partial wall to add a sense of seclusion.
3. Create a fully glazed space
Why not opt for a glazed front door in a style that matches the other glazed openings on your home, such as a run of bi-folds or sliding doors? Opting for a glazed front door will really illuminate your space and add an ultra-modern feel to your home.
4. Consider choosing double doors
There’s no reason why you shouldn’t opt for double doors, rather than a single front door. A double set of doors as a main entrance can really add a wow factor to your home and is a surefire way to boost its kerb appeal. Barn conversions and contemporary properties, along with Georgian style homes, suit this front door idea particularly well.
Read our guide to the different front door sizes here.
5. Choose a contemporary-feel door
Those worried about too much glazing in a front door but keen to provide a sightline to outdoors or bring in a little extra natural light should consider a contemporary door with small areas of glazing instead. Choosing a front door with small square cut-outs or a narrow vertical slot-style glass panel not only adds interest to your entrance but also offers a tantalising glimpse of the world outside.
6. Go for a subtle design
Allow the architecture of your home to shine by opting for a simple, sleek front door design that quietly complements the style of your home rather than competing with it. By choosing a front door that echoes the shape and form of your house, along with its colour themes, the sweep of the driveway and even the style of porch or canopy, you will highlight them and bring them to the fore.
Order our brochure and find your ideal front door!
Decorating your front door | Other design tips
1. Use Plants to Enhance Your Front Door
Your gardening efforts should not be restricted to the back garden – your front door is the ideal place to get creative with a range of pots, climbers, hanging baskets and more. One of our favourite front door ideas is to pick out plants in shades and shapes to complement those used in your front door. You could also think about small olive or bay trees, or topiary in pots either side of the door to frame it and bring a nice sense of symmetry to your entrance.
2. Include a porch
Whether it’s a handsome oak-framed porch, a classically-inspired stone portico or a full-width New England-style veranda, a covered entrance will really enhance your home architecturally. A porch will also protect you and your front door from the elements and can even provide a handy spot for muddy boots, log storage, or simply provide a quiet spot to sit outside.
3. Accessorise your door
Ensure your new door has a smart, co-ordinated look by selecting the right accessories to complement it. Origin has a wide range of accessories, including letterboxes, door knockers and handles, in an array of finishes. Consider smaller items of door furniture too – details like escutcheons can completely transform a door’s look.
Read our guide to choosing front door security features here.