“You never have a second chance to make a first impression,” says Tanya Franzen-Garrett, a broker with Marketplace Sotheby’s International Realty in Redmond. “The entrance is the most often overlooked area when sellers prepare their home for sale.”
She recently showed a beautifully staged home in the Seattle area. “The interior is beautiful. They’ve clearly spent money on the staging,” she says. “But as I’m getting ready to open the door as a realtor, my clients are standing behind me looking at the dirty windows. They’re looking at the dust on the sill and saying, that’s going to be a hassle to keep clean and one more thing to maintain. They’re looking at the lock that looks like it’s been corroded or glued shut. All they needed to do was spend 10 minutes wiping down the door, sweeping away the cobwebs and polishing up that lock … they start thinking, what other things are not very well maintained that I can’t see?”
Polish it up
Her advice also serves those who aren’t selling and choose to stay put. Targeted fixes refresh your entryway and put your home’s best face forward. Jillian Alvis, owner of J&S Design Company in Seattle, says it starts with a clean slate.
“Before anything is added to the space, make sure the area is deep-cleaned, paint is fresh and light fixtures are updated,” Alvis says. “This sets the stage for all the additional layering pieces.”
Pressure-wash all hard surfaces. Polish or replace house numbers. Front doors often take a beating from kids and pets — give yours a fresh stain or coat of paint. If there is a handrail to the door, make sure it is freshly sanded or painted.
Add a new doormat, Franzen-Garrett suggests. If you’re selling, “It can say ‘Welcome’ or ‘Home’ or just be a basic design, but don’t get too cutesy or personalized or colorful, unless it goes with the colors of the home.”
Advertising
Light the way
“Lighting is a great way to improve and upgrade your entryway,” says Meredith Conley, JD, broker and co-owner of Agency One NS.
“Add uplighting to highlight interesting architectural features or landscaping. Motion-activated pathway and stair lighting is eco-friendly, enhances safety and adds a warm aesthetic to the home’s entry,” she says.
Shabri Kelkar, home staging consultant of Buy Me Staging, serving Seattle and the Eastside, recommends sticking with a smart and simple wall sconce with a warm light that’s not too bright. If you have room, add a small piece of furniture. Kelkar’s go-to choice is a bench.
“They come in many shapes and sizes and are so practical and useful,” Kelkar says. A bench provides a landing zone for folks to remove their shoes before entering the home, which protects your floors and your investment. To style, Franzen-Garrett typically adds decorative pillows and an outdoor blanket to drape over the bench.
Quick fixes
Small touches can have a big impact. Increase curb appeal quickly and affordably with a few easy-to-maintain structural plants in attractive planters.
“Plants add life and warmth to any entryway. Select plants that complement the height and space,” Kelkar says.
Advertising
For areas with high ceilings and tall doors, opt for taller, more structural plants. Lower profile entryways would benefit from an informal arrangement of seasonal blooms, she says.
“If the total area is large, a cluster of plants in planters of staggered height can create a lovely effect. Always be careful that your choice doesn’t crowd or obstruct the flow of movement,” Kelkar says.
Also, when choosing plants, keep in mind how much light they will get in the entryway.
Kelkar once staged a home that needed a quick uplift on a small budget. For less than $150, she made the entrance look stylish by adding a few modern planters from Home Goods paired with plants from Home Depot.
“I didn’t opt for any furniture and even removed the entry mat to let the plants be the focus,” she says. “Something so simple made a world of difference!”
And add a wreath, says Franzen-Garrett. “A wreath on a door sends the message that the home is well cared for.”
Advertising
Consider the garage
The garage door is often overlooked in the entrance to a home.
“With a few creative upgrades, the garage door is an opportunity to add character and create a cohesive entry design,” Conley says. First, clean and paint it and make sure the garage door functions correctly.
“Upgrade hardware and add molding accents for an inexpensive and unique way to integrate the garage door with the home’s architectural design,” she advises. “Whether midcentury modern, Craftsman, farmhouse or traditional, plenty of DIY kits and online resources can help homeowners transform their garage doors into an eye-catching entry feature.”
Conley worked with a Seattle homeowner who increased the midcentury modern curb appeal of their home by “painting the garage door a dark, moody color and adding showy gold sunburst details,” she says.
Align with your goals
Keep your focus, and edit ruthlessly, Alvis says. Both the exterior and interior entryways need this treatment.
“What sets you up for the day when you leave the entry space or welcomes you home when you return? Our home should make us feel warmth and calm,” Alvis says. “Eliminate anything that doesn’t help achieve this goal.”
Front entryway checklist
- Clean windows and sills.
- Polish hardware, door lock and address numbers, or replace them.
- Wipe down walls, trim and light fixtures to remove dust and cobwebs.
- Paint or stain the front door, including trim.
- Sand or repaint handrail.
- Pressure-wash hard surfaces like concrete or stone porches, steps and pathways.
- Update or add warm, white lighting.
- Add a bench or chairs and a little table, if you have room.
- Strategically add potted plants and flowers.
- Remove clutter.
- Top it off with a new doormat.
Bree Coven: bcoven@seattletimes.com;
