I entered my home through the front door yesterday and was appalled and the sight of my threshold. I usually enter the house through the garage and into the mudroom. Distracted by my busy schedule over the summer, I failed to take in what my guests see when they visit my abode.
A worn welcome mat, a faded “no soliciting” sign scrawled on a yellow post-it note, and the mess of spiderwebs around the outdoor sconces were a pitiful sight. The icing on top of this scary cake was an old business card tucked into a gap in a brick next to the front door…
The card had been there so long, the spider was using it as a tent!
As I stood back and let this frightening image sink in, I thought about what my front door said to guests.
Welcome to a messy house?
I pride myself in being a portal of warmth and memory making, so why have I made a mockery of my entryway?
My imaginary front door on Pinterest is very welcoming.
Alright, I admit my laziness. No excuses!
I stepped back to the sidewalk and approached my house again to get a feel for my surroundings and what I had to work with structurally.
Next, I asked myself some questions.
- What do I want to say to visitors as they approach my door?
- How do I want people to feel as they approach to enter my home?
- If a friend is coming over at night, how will they feel walking from their car to my stoop?
It is going to take some brainstorming and creative hunting for interesting accents, but my mind is already aflutter with ideas to tenderly receive my guests from the moment they step into my world!
Some inspiration as I am creating my visual welcome:
-Add a little humor instead of harshness for the no soliciting sign.
-A warm but modest wreath to dress up the door
-Using gourds and pumpkins to create something fun with the kids
I must address the filthy state of the space first, so I will take some time to wash down the walls, remove the spider webs and sweep the floor. (I feel better already!)
Next, I will place an all-weather runner I found at homedecorators.com to give the porch an immediate feel of livable space. The rug is quick drying, fade-resistant, and I can hose it down when it gets dirty.
We put so much effort into the inside of our homes, that sometimes we neglect the space of first impression. Personally, the gate into my home should reflect the character of my heart. Open arms, a welcoming smile and a fun place to retreat. Now that I’m aware of it didn’t, I vow that it won’t be long until it will say:
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