If you think about it, your front door is something you see all the time. When designing our homes, we often think about the interior decorations and exterior lawn care, but what about the space that brings those two worlds together? At Clark Hall, we specialize in making beautiful iron doors that you’ll enjoy passing through for years to come. As our most intricate style, ornate front doors have endless design opportunities. To start, begin gathering inspiration for your project by reading our top five design considerations.
Design Options for Ornate Front Doors
1. Design Intricate Scrollwork
The hallmark of an ornate door is its scrollwork and elegant silhouettes. The custom wrought ironwork details, like scrolls and spirals, make ornate doors especially distinctive. Some clients have even created designs that feature natural-looking vines. Each custom iron ornate door is hand-perfected by our artisans and recognized for their attention to detail. Our extensive detailing includes a seven-step automotive grade finishing process, allowing the completed scrollwork to stand out.
Ornate front doors are available in three customizable shapes including square top, eyebrow, and round, making the design options nearly endless. And, each door and jamb is enclosed with high-density polyurethane foam to optimize design while keeping your home properly insulated.
2. Consider Your Surroundings
Ornate doors take up space—literally and figuratively. They are the star of the show and deserve attention. The design is up to you, but we’ve found that with simpler surrounding architecture, the ornate door really gets to shine, whereas with more complex exteriors, ornate doors might get overshadowed.
Considering this step of the process will lead to great success when selecting the remaining components of your ornate front door. Check out some of our past ornate door designs in our gallery.
3. Choose a Finish
Finding the right finish to pair with your ornate design has the potential to create a truly one-of-a-kind entryway. Just as it’s important to consider your surrounding architecture, it’s also pertinent to consider its color. At Clark Hall, we have six exclusive finishes, from our darkest, Burnt Copper, to our lightest, Slate.
Bronze is our most popular finish and has the warmth of wood, which complements most exteriors. Sometimes overlooked, Gold Mist is our secret shining star as it has an irresistible glimmer in the sunlight, which could add a layer of intrigue to an ornate door. Whatever you choose, each door is a unique work of art that sets the tone for your entryway.
4. Select a Glass
Clear glass is always a classic, but we have over 10 different styles of glass featuring unique textures like Seedy Baroque and Cotswold. Our wide range of glasses allows you to customize the amount of light you want to flow through without sacrificing privacy or style.
For example, this ornate front door is equipped with Flemish glass, which has a slight ripple pattern obscuring the view inside. The complex pairing of embellished glass, ornate door handles, and elaborate scrollwork is sure to incite awe upon entry. And, this ornate door has more than just textured glass going for it. The window above the arched door is called a transom, which also increases natural light.
5. Customize the Hardware
One of the most practical finishing touches to determine about your door is the pull hardware. At Clark Hall Doors, your sketch is our command—even down to the ornate door handles. There are many types of ornate door knobs including keyed entry, simple passage, and privacy door handles.
If you’re designing ornate door handles, try pairing them with more traditional locks and handlesets that contribute to the embellished quality of the door. For example, Tubular Entry Sets or Modern Rectangle Mortise Entry Sets from Emtek are great options for an ornate front door.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ornate Doors
How can I make my ornate door look attractive?
Ornate door designs speak volumes on their own, but giving your door a touch-up every few months can keep your door looking attractive and inviting. Thankfully, iron doors require minimal maintenance. If you haven’t already, we recommend cleaning your door(s) at least twice per year during the spring and fall seasons to remove any buildup of pollen or other debris. And, there’s always seasonal opportunities like flowers, pumpkins, and wreaths that can add some extra life to your entryway.Should an ornate front door be lighter or darker than the house?
That’s up to you. If your house’s exterior is neutral, a bold front door color may provide a subtle contrast to your home’s aesthetic. In general, if the architecture surrounding your door is light, a darker color door is best and vice versa. However, don’t be afraid to be a little unconventional.Do ornate door handles increase home value?
They may seem like a small detail, but ornate door knobs can have an impact on the value of your home. If you decide to sell, your front door will be one of the first parts of your home that prospective buyers will see. If they notice bespoke, ornate door handles, it could make a grand first impression.Learn more about iron doors today.
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