Transform Your Front Door With These Three Vintage Accent Pieces

Adding some pizzazz to your front door increases your home's character and provides an opportunity to showcase a bit of your personality before guests ever set foot inside. A step further than paint, front door accoutrements, like a kick plate, door knocker, and welcome sign, work together to add a little elegance and give your home an elevated first impression. These vintage accents can also be functional, preserving the beauty and quality of your home. With these antique accessories as the right exterior hardware for your front door, you'll transform the entrance into a masterpiece.

Anyone who's ever struggled to get through the front door, arms laden with boxes or bags, knows the value of kicking the door open, unconcerned with damaging the paint. Strollers, pets, and the like also take their toll on the entryway. So your kick plate is not only a decorative element but also a protective guard. Door knockers and welcome signs, while perhaps arguably less utilitarian, do go a long way to make a great first impression and increase curb appeal. Available in a wide variety of styles and materials, these vintage accents are simple to install and tailor to your home, instantly creating a show-stopping front door design.

Kick plates are simply a sheet of metal attached to the bottom of a door. From traditional, polished aluminum and brass designs to ornately styled steel and antique iron versions, there are a plethora of choices. To add these features to your exterior, let the finish guide you. Stick with all brass or all silver, for instance, to match any existing metals in your outdoor decor. Of course, if you can't find exactly what you're looking for, you could DIY a kick plate by cutting and gluing your choice of decorative metal to the door. 

Door knockers have been around since Ancient Greece. However, their styles have expanded far beyond the original heavy metal ring mounted to the door. Classic, Victorian inspired versions are as abundant as playful ones. Consider the general style of your home to narrow down your options. A ghoulish knocker may look out of place on an ultra-modern home. However, your personality is paramount. So, if contrast feels right to you, embrace the quirkiness as a bold design that will elevate your front door.

Of course, welcome signs of any kind are, well, a welcoming sight for visitors. But you don't have to limit yourself to the word "welcome". Why not embrace your house plate to showcase something special about you and your home? Your interest in horses or gardens, for example. Or use it to announce your address or family name. Whatever style of each element that you choose, this front door trifecta will add beauty and polish to your home.