Are you utilizing the maximum potential for design in the spaces you are creating? As homeowners become increasingly aware of the statements they can make in their homes, the online presence of interior design continues to grow; research, conducted by Masonite, shows that home design trends account for over 1.4 million Instagram posts and 25.7 million Google searches.
Every aspect of a home’s architecture has the opportunity to make the ultimate statement for the residence. You may know what color the walls are going to be and what material the floors will be, but do you know how you are going to introduce the finished space?
Jase Frederick of the US Green Building Council notes that “doors are often overlooked as a key design element;” however, they are especially pivotal to the design of a home. Since they are one of the features of the home that homeowners are guaranteed to interact with every single day, we need to start looking at the door—really looking at it. With a variety of offerings in different styles, colors, materials and hardware, they have the potential to make a big impact.
Doors make up 800 square feet of space in an average mid-sized home. As Matt Ellis, VP of Marketing and distributor for building products says, “no one would leave 800 square feet of wall space white,” so why neglect the opportunity to make a statement in a home with that much space calling for design?
As the single biggest piece of art most homeowners will ever have, it is essential for the design of each door to be thoroughly considered so that it completes the look and feel of the home. It starts with the front door. “The front door…is informed not only by the culture and the lifestyle of the people that are going to live there, but also by the architecture of the building,” says Susan Carson, ASID member. It sets the stage for the rest of the home, hinting at the personalities of those who live there and bringing the whole look of the home together. Once inside, the interior doors should reference the front door to maintain continuity throughout the home.
It is easier than ever to design a visually-impactful space by utilizing the opportunities presented by a single architectural detail. With 800 square feet between them, doors give ample opportunity to make the most of a space in terms of design. For example, proponents of the Classic Revival trend may focus on timeless door designs like French and the 2 Panel Roman styles that make for a design that is traditional yet relaxed. For something more modern, find sleek, brightly-colored doors that complement the underlying structure as seen in the Urban trend. To complete a more glamorous feel, Mediterranean Luxe rich wood doors and ornate wrought iron bring the look together.
It’s easy to forget how doors can round out the design of a home by turning it into a piece of art. By capitalizing on the opportunities that one defining detail provides, builders can earnestly say that thought and care went into every single part of the home.
