21 front door entrance ideas for New Zealand homes

New Zealanders love their homes and equally enjoy hosting friends and family who come to visit. A home's front door and entrance area says a lot about the interests and values of the people that reside there. It also establishes the atmosphere of home and that all-important first impression that permeates throughout. Prioritising this space and getting it right for you and your guests will work wonders in more ways than you might imagine and the possibilities are literally endless.

For a bold approach, not much will beat the classic black on white colour scheme. It’s stark, modern and dynamic and brings a familiarity that guests will be able to relate to. It’s an approach that will also accentuate colourful highlights that share the space, be it from greenery, door mats or otherwise.

The industrial style has been incredibly popular in recent years, seen as part of the contemporary trend of interior and architectural styling. Large front doors with prominent handles and metallic finishes and colours represent this style perfectly and are never missed.

The use of colour is a hugely important part of many great front door entrance ideas and there are many ways to do this. One great example is to coordinate the colour of your door with decor or other features in the space. Plants and ornaments are excellent examples of things you can bring into an existing space but if you’re starting from scratch it's something you can design into your plans.

Lighting is another significant element of the front door area and most will have a ceiling or spotlight for nighttime use. Outdoor wall sconces are another great option, having a stronger influence on the design and aesthetic of the space. The additional source of light will add greater depth to the space and the many choices of light fixtures allow you to personalise and style it as you see fit.

Not all entrance doors are created equal and you’ll find plenty that goes above and beyond the scope of your traditional door in terms of style and substance. Using material and design, you’ll find plenty of eye-catching options that will impress one and all. Some may be particularly ornate, others may be weight and oversized but they’ll have that wow factor that will be undeniable.

While front door designs can be monopolised by timber, steel and aluminium doors in New Zealand, one should not forget the versatility of glass. Glass front doors can be absolutely glorious thanks to an endless array of designs that can be created. These can be incredibly intricate and unique allowing you to grace your home with something seldom seen elsewhere.

For something a little bit different, a horizontally clad door will offer a visual point of interest that will separate your front door from the rest. As an untraditional choice, it will boost your own designer credentials that can set the tone for the rest of your home.

A fairly simple front door idea is to look for a complementary pot plant or planter for your entryway space. Plants represent nature which most people find very soothing - great vibes to amplify in this area of the home. Depending on your available space, you may choose a large planter box or a small pot plant. Either way, you’ll make the entrance to your home that much warmer as a result.

If you’re one of those fun-loving Kiwis and want to bring out the playful side of your personality then choosing a pop colour for your front door might just be the perfect choice to make. A bright, vivid colour that contrasts well with the colour of your house cladding can make for a flamboyant look. It’ll bring a smile to all who drop by which is a great way to start any occasion.

Glass panelling is a great feature to include in and around an entry door. While many homes do so on at least one side, having it on both is less frequently seen. Doing so creates a nice balance with respect to symmetry and also encourages natural light into your interior spaces too.

The concealed door is a recent design trend that many designer homes are embracing up and down the country. This is typically done by matching the door material to the exterior cladding for a very seamless architectural look. It also creates intrigue and anticipation for what lies within which you can manipulate in some very creative ways.

If you consider your house to be a work of art then you can play on that metaphor by picture-framing your front door in a distinctive way. This is typically done through colour, like a bold white trim, but you can also utilise material and design too. This technique will draw the eye and provide clear direction for guests.

Homes can have all kinds of interesting architectural elements like posts, beams, angular forms, terracing and more and they can be included in your thinking when designing your front entrance. You can do this through the choice of the door itself, mixing and matching elements that want to highlight, or by connecting them in other ways like colour. This is another easy win that can make a telling difference.

The merits of wall sconces have already been addressed but that’s only the start of what can be explored and realised with respect to lighting. There are many different types of light fixtures you can consider from outdoor pendant lights to track lights and LED strip lights, each with its own attributes and qualities. Those with decorative fixtures will add value night and day which can create a nice focal point too.

Related article: 13 different types of light fixtures and when to use them

If you’re designing for, or happen to have a foyer area in your entryway, you can open this up with glass panels to showcase an impressive sculpture or cherished work of art. This will immediately enhance the sophistication of your home and give you the chance to share your passions. Depending on the choice of artwork, you may also use it as a mood piece for added atmosphere.

When designing your entrance door, you don’t need to be limited to thinking about the design with the door closed. How the space appears and feels with the door open is just as important, especially as a way to follow up the sentiment created from a first impression. If you’re lucky enough to overlook a stunning vista of some kind, then this is a great aspect to leverage if you can, especially with large double doors for greater impact.

The best front door entrance ideas think about the experience as a journey which includes the lead-up to the entryway itself. Pavers are a great way to illustrate the start of this journey and provide excellent direction for first-time visitors too.

Greenery has been mentioned a few times so far with respect to pot plants and planters but options from above can also be considered. Hanging gardens, including potted varieties hung from ceiling anchors or climbing plants, can create soothing vibes. As a slightly more organic way of incorporating nature, when done well it will make your home feel like a sanctuary.

Mixing and matching materials is a great way to give your front entrance added dimension. This can be done in several ways, for example, you can create a contrast between your choice of door hardware against the finish of the door itself. You can also work off the texture of the external house cladding itself for a holistic architectural approach. This can be done to stunning effect, significantly increasing the curb appeal of a home.

Related article: What is cladding? A comprehensive guide

If you’re designing a new home and are looking to get creative, then incorporating irregular shapes into your plans including your front entrance can be an intriguing approach to take. It’s a great way of manipulating perspective and giving your home a distinctive designer feel.

There are many different door options on the market in New Zealand including those that feature unique designs and patterns. This essentially transforms your door into a work of art, making it a showpiece in its own right. A patterned approach is really a personal approach in this respect which is a nice way to invite people into your home.

With so many great front door ideas shared, you can clearly see there are many ways you can do a front door makeover or create something original from scratch. The entryway to your home is so important, more so than most appreciate, so be sure to give it as much love and attention as you do the rest of your home.