Give Your Front Door A Stunning Facelift With This Once-Popular Feature

Long before we could communicate via text, we had postal mail. In 1892, George Becket patented the "house-door letter-box" that would later be added as permanent decor to every front door. The purpose of this once-popular feature was to directly receive personal mail that would slide through our front door and onto our floor, creating the illusion of face-to-face communication. While the postal mail system still provides its services today, most of us don't rely on a personal letterbox to receive and disperse information. However, the old trend may be returning to the spotlight.

Many of us are adamant about finding the perfect front door because it's the first impression we give to new visitors. Similarly, we outfit our outdoor mailbox so that mailmen, neighbors, and those passing by assume their welcome near our home. So why not combine the two? A front door letter plate is the perfect way to achieve a fashionably old-fashioned entrance to our home. Beyond that, it's also an efficient way to receive mail from your loved ones (and subsequently prevent junk mail from piling up). Let's get started.

Letter plates are a great way to spruce up your front door, but it's important to choose one that suits the aesthetic of your home's exterior. You'll need to consider factors such as the length and width of your door, how much mail you receive, and what material best suits your door frame. For example, you may try to estimate the size of your letter plate by cutting out a piece of paper and taping it to your door to see how much space it will take up. Once you've decided on size, you should anticipate the number of letters and packages you receive to ensure they can fit through the designated slot. You can also reserve the exterior mailbox for packages and an interior mailbox for letters.

After you've conquered the logistics of it all, it's time to decide on style. A polished brass letter plate is one of the more popular designs, which experts recommend for a clean and simple front door. On the other hand, a bronze letter plate adds a traditional and historic touch, which is perfect for homeowners who are maintaining a long-existing property. For more contemporary homes, a chrome or stainless steel letter plate offers a modern touch to the old-fashioned relic. After selecting a suitable letter plate, it's time to install it.

Letter plates are traditionally placed at the center of your front door, around the same level as the door handle. Before getting started, identify and interiorly mark the center of the door by drawing a rectangle that's accurate to the size of your letter plate. Once you've confirmed the measurements are accurate, use a drill to mark four holes in each corner. Using a jigsaw, use each drilled hole as a marker to saw off the rectangle. After you've finished, there should be a letter-plate-shaped hole in your front door.

Be sure to sand and buff the hole before inserting the letter plate and ensuring it's accurate to size. Once you've confirmed that the plate fits, mark all four corners with screws before using a drill to seal the deal. Finish the project off by securing each nut with a screwdriver, and voilà! You've officially face-lifted your door with an old-fashioned feature.