Whether your home is a classic or a craftsman, you may be considering a custom traditional entry door to complement your entryway. But how do you make it truly unique and in your style while maintaining your home’s traditional aesthetic integrity?
When people think of traditional front door ideas and styles, they might think of the classic 8-lite door with raised panels. However, at Clark Hall, we have found that these elements can be made new and exciting with our expert craftsmanship and unique details.
This absolutely means that all traditional doors (and door elements) can be completely customized to suit your home’s style. When you work with Clark Hall, you can fully customize your new front entryway and increase your home value. Choose from our wide range of finish colors and textured glass to create the door of your dreams!
Not sure where to start? We’re here to help. Read on to learn more about our favorite traditional door styles, featuring six unique visions to help you draw inspiration for your front door design.
A Twist on Traditional
However you define your look, you can design your traditional door from scratch. These different styles show the wide variety of what is possible in traditional doors with Clark Hall.
Classic Eyebrow With a Twist
Boldly offsetting the home’s vibrant off-white exterior, this contemporary take on traditional front door ideas is simply breathtaking. We love the eyebrow top and burnt copper finish, which create a compelling contrast between the white brick and the entryway. The textured Seedy Baroque glass windows provide a touch of privacy without blocking natural sunlight from entering the foyer.
As an added element that weaves in the classic style so often seen with traditional front door customizations, the door is complete with traditional-inspired pull handles and hardware.
Stately & Sophisticated
Reminiscent of traditional farmhouse doors, these sleek double doors feature thoughtful and unique linework offset by textured Aquatex glass. Typically, front doors feature straight lines that divide the glass into square window panels — but these homeowners flexed their creative “muscles,” choosing a unique v-groove panel at the top of the door, which adds a traditional flair.
This entry door also features a warm and welcoming cinnamon and complementary brushed metal pull handles that pay homage to the door’s origin.
Traditional & Simple
Sometimes traditional front door ideas adapt from their modern counterparts — such as this flawlessly simple example. Featuring a bold burnt copper finish and a simple horizontal muntin grid pattern typically found on our modern iron doors.
This entryway has a more transitional feel to it than your typical traditional door. The transitional style combines elements from both modern and traditional to make the perfect in-between style. This door has a simple grid pattern and recessed panel with a dark burn copper finish to complement the iron railing leading to the entryway. This is the perfect example of a transitional home.
Since most of the door panels are made of windows, the foyer is instantly brightened, and the classic brick home is generously and naturally invited into the modern era.
Chateau Inspired Chic
Inspired by the charming streets of Paris, these traditional French doors are simple yet captivating. Complete with grand custom pull handles, large clear glass windows, and a burnt copper finish, this entryway leaves a lasting impression that complements the home’s classic white exterior and black shutters.
Connect with us today to learn more about this home makeover project and see how we collaborated with the homeowner and professional interior designer, Tula Summerford.
Grand Arched Entrance
Stepping through these rounded doors feels a bit like being welcomed into a castle — and we love it. The elegant arch shape reminds guests of decades past, while the eye-catching burnt copper finish, flemish textured glass texture, and interesting line work usher in a breath of fresh air. Here again, the textured glass provides a sense of privacy without taking away a lot of natural light.
Classic Traditional Front Door
This is a textbook example of a classic, traditional front door. Here we have a stately, classic single door with sidelights in a burnt copper finish with full glass sidelights and an 8-lite door design, clear glass, and a recessed panel. This simple design complements the home’s traditional red brick style.
Elements of Traditional Front Doors
Style aside, traditional front doors have a wide variety of elements. They can be changed to suit the style of the home and create more curb appeal These are a few of the style choices you have while working with a traditional style door.
These elements include:
- Arch transoms: Arch transoms are windows with curved tops that can be seen at the top of front doors, adding light and style to the space.
- Decorative glass: Glass front doors are a popular choice and a wonderful way to add privacy, whimsy, or artistic flair to your door design.
- Muntins: Muntins (also known as grilles or lites) are protective metal grids that are placed on the inside or outside of your front door.
- Hardware: Functional and stylish, hardware such as pull handles, levers, and knobs, you put on your door can add to the overall aesthetic.
- Sidelights: Vertical glass panes on either side of your front door allow more light to enter and complement the broader design elements. If you have a wide opening, these can help fill the space and keep your doors at a reasonable size.
How to Enhance the Traditional Look
One of the simplest ways to integrate a new traditional door into your home is to consider how it blends into your home’s look. By choosing a complimentary color and design, your door will enhance the outside aesthetic of your home. However, there are other ways you can enhance the look of a new door as well.
- Accessorize: Introducing elements with similar aesthetics to your door such as an address plaque can pull together the traditional look. You can also hang seasonal decor like wreaths for an extra pop of color or personal style.
- Lighting: Installing traditional lanterns or sconces around your entryway not only adds to your home’s security, it also puts a spotlight on your door. Lights can accent the entrance so the beautiful door is always front and center.
- Planters: Your entryway may be the way into your home, but let your walkway be the beginning of a grand entrance. Carefully chosen planters, along with their plant life, can bookend a doorway by highlighting similar colors, patterns, or styles.
Tips for Choosing The Right Traditional Front Door For Your Home
Before planning your door design, there are some things to consider. For instance, think about the size of your entryway — the door must fit. It can’t be too big or too small for the space that you have. Size is definitely your largest consideration, though it isn’t the only one.
- Energy efficiency: A door should not detract from your home’s ability to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
- Maintenance: Understanding how the environment around your home will impact the door can determine what it needs to be made of. After all, a less sturdy door facing a lot of inclement weather will need more maintenance.
- Security: A well-made front door adds style and safety to your home by adding a sturdy barrier to potential intruders.
Creating the Perfect Front Door
However you pair up a traditional look with your home design, your new front door is sure to be a perfect match. Front entry doors don’t have to be prim and proper to be traditional, so don’t be afraid to go with a bold design or choose a beautiful textured glass. Let your home’s architecture and your creativity shine.
What is your take on traditional front doors? If you’re feeling inspired to start your own entryway makeover, we encourage you to contact our team to arrange a phone consultation at one of our design studios.
Frequently Asked Questions About Traditional Door Styles
What is a traditional door?
A traditional door is commonly thought to be made of wood and features a classic double-door silhouette. However, our favorite traditional iron front doors are made from high-quality iron and can be customized to suit any vision — from single-panel entryways with textured glass to double-door entryways with large, clear glass windows.
What kind of door does a colonial house need?
For a colonial house, we recommend pursuing a traditional front door to complement the home’s classic exterior. Depending on the width of your front entryway, we also recommend a double door instead of a single–panel door for a more expansive and welcoming entrance.
What hardware should I choose for my exterior door?
Choosing the right hardware for your custom door is critical. You want to make sure it complements the door’s finish and style. Your carefully selected hardware should complement the door but not overpower it, ensuring the overall design is the star of the show.
How to modernize a traditional front door?
If you’re looking to modernize an existing door and avoid the front door replacement cost, there are a few ways to go about that. For a front door makeover, you can try replacing existing hardware or decorative elements, adding glass, painting the door, or installing lighting around the door. These small changes can make a huge impact on your home’s exterior aesthetic!
What are some popular design elements for decorative front doors?
At the time of this writing, some popular design elements for decorative front doors are beauty molding, raised and recessed panels, various arch styles, and decorative hardware. Utilizing bright colors, detailed hardware, sidelights, and decorative glass panels are all popular right now. The key to these door designs is helping them to stand out, not blend in.
