Investment propertyWhat a Difference A Door Makes
One of the great things about making changes to your home is seeing just how
truly transforming one or two changes can be. Interior paint can lighten or
tone down the home"s ambience; a new carpet can make you feel as if you are
living in a brand new house, and the change-out of just one doorway can bring
about an entirely new image to a room or an entire home.
Indeed, if windows have been referred to as the "eyes" of a room, then doors
are the mouths, speaking volumes about the rooms they complement. Take the
entry door, for example. How much of an instant impression does a beautiful
front door make on you? Windows, cut glass, carved oak, arched, or decorated
with brass accents? While waiting for this door to open, it"s an
eye-catching item to study, from a visitor"s point of view. Simple front
doors can be replaced by fancier ones to exude your own sense of style. Even
a modest home can seem palatial with a beautiful front door as a greeting.
Your family room can be transformed by the change-out of a sliding door to a
French door, opening wide to a manicured yard, or just "look" like a French
door with panes of glass and beautiful hardware (there are several
manufacturers of sliding French doors.) But what if you prefer more wall
space in the family room and less glass? You can investigate the possibility
of changing a larger sliding door to a single "atrium" door and adding sheet
rock, texture and paint to the recipe, making more room for sofas and
entertainment pieces.
Master bedrooms can become a refuge for the weary by adding a door to the
outside, possibly leading to an existing (or future) bubbling outdoor spa and
the greenery beyond. Even second story master bedrooms may have the option
to add a door and balcony, creating a covered patio area below.
An old world, but still popular idea, is the installation of single or double
interior French doors to a living room, office, or den, giving occupants a
view of activity elsewhere, but adding an elegant dimension to the floor
plan. Even with closed doors, these rooms can become aglow within when
entertaining and a showpiece of your own personal decorating and style.
You may not want to underestimate the power of a door and all it represents
both physically and metaphysically. Sound abstract? If one really considers
how we use the word to describe so many allegorical facets of our existence,
it doesn"t sound so far-fetched. From "opening the door of opportunity", or
"closing the door on that subject" to literally "slamming the door in one"s
face", doors are almost as cultural as they are physical.
So, next time you see a door that really makes an impression on you, think
about what it is that brings it to your attention, and you"ll probably never
think of doors in the same way again. New home builders have added more an
more creative options for doors to their design center repertoire, so ask the
design consultant for all the possibilities. For a wealth of information on
doors and door manufacturers, use you favorite search engines on the
Internet, or check out the National Association of Home Builder"s web site at
HomeBuilder.com and search by product.
More New Home Articles:
Homes Built to Last? How Can You Determine Quality?
The Survival of the Entry Foyer in New Home Designs
Avoiding Naivete When Building A New Home
Your New Home: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words