An Unwelcoming Entry

Your home's front entry welcomes guests to your house.  It can seem like you can't go wrong.  Place a door on the front of your home, and people will come.  But it's not really that simple.  Your front home leaves a lasting impression on those who come to your house.  It can make them feel welcome or not so much.  Just what is an unwelcoming entry?  Here are a few ideas of what NOT to do to your home.

Where is it?

A home without an obvious front entry makes visitors apprehensive and wondering just how to approach the home.  Here are some questions to ask yourself.  Is my front entry hidden?  Is my front entry even on the front of the house?  Does my front entry seem like a side door or a family-only door (like a sliding door)?

 

Through the Jungle

Maybe you can find the front door, but no one would want to approach it.  If you feel like you need to climb through a jungle or are afraid to knock because the door might fall off, it's time to revamp your entry.

Entering the Cave

Guests will feel uncomfortable having to enter into a darkly lit or imposing space to reach your front door.  Be sure your guests don't feel like they are entering a dungeon when they come to your house.

No Shelter From The Storm

A lack of shelter at the front entry can leave your guests out in the cold, literally.  A flat face on your front entry with no overhanging roof is a poor way to treat your guests.  For those times when it is windy, rainy or even blaringly sunny, give your guests a little shelter at the front door.

Isn't It Obvious?

Lastly, while you may think it's funny, it can make others feel unwelcome when you say so through floor mats or signs at the door.  Keep these bits of dark humor for your personal entry and leave your front door a welcoming area for guests.

Source:  Article by Michelle Schwake, Stafford Family Realtors.