When meeting someone for the first time, how do you form your opinion? Do you focus on their clothes, hair, posture, manners? The first impression is very important and decisive when it comes to meeting people, but did you know that the same thing goes for houses as well? Decorating the front of your house is more than necessary if you want to make a good first impression and at least as essential – if not even more! – as decorating the rest of your home. So, here are some ideas how you can decorate your entryway and front door.

Front Yard
The front yard is the first thing anyone coming to your house sees and it should, therefore, be spotless! Besides mowed grass and trimmed hedges, you should plant flowers and introduce decorative stone pathway, too. Also, a small fountain is always a good idea, as well as traditional decorations for holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas.


Porch, Dock, Patio
If your house has a porch, a deck or a patio, you need to pay close attention to these areas as well. Make sure they are decluttered, freshly painted and that their furniture is taken care of. Ultimately, you can consider installing shade sails, privacy screens, tension membranes or awnings – these will simultaneously protect your interior from excessive heat and be a great addition to the front of your house. You can always search for the perfect shade sail online and have it installed within a day or two.


Front Door
A proper front door will show your guests that you are a responsible person and that the rest of your house is just as well maintained. You can achieve this by repainting it annually and choosing vivid colors like bright red – and maybe even add a high gloss finish – or, on the other hand, a peaceful shade of white or beige. Moreover, you can also include season wreaths, especially when the spring comes.


Doormat
Would not you like to be welcomed to someone’s house with an appealing doormat wishing you a good day or implying a joke or a humorous catchphrase? Doormats have long surpassed their original purpose of keeping the dirt from your shoes away from your house and are now a decorative element that brings a smile to your and your visitor’s face.


The Smell
Once the guests have entered your house, it is important to overwhelm them with a pleasant smell. You can use decorative candles, scented sticks, reed diffusers, spray or plug-in fresheners – basically which ever you prefer. These will disguise unpleasant household odors and, furthermore, be a nice decorative element in your entryway, especially if they are color coordinated with your walls and door.


Go Beyond
After you have decorated your front yard and your entryway, you can easily apply the same pattern onto the rest of your home – some decorative elements can even be transferred to the living room and thus create a fusion between all parts of your house. So, the front entry is just a beginning, but an absolutely vital one.

About the author 
Marie Nieves is a student and a blogger who loves unusual trips, gadgets and creative ideas. On her travels she likes to read poetry and prose and to surf the Internet. Her favourite writer is Tracy Chevalier and she always carries one of her books in her bag. Marie loves to share her experiences and talk about practical solutions. She is an avid lover of photography interested in interior and exterior design and regular author on Smooth Decorator. You can find Marie on Facebook or follow her on Twitter and G+.

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