For many of us, front door hardware is something we buy once, mount in place, and never think about again, or we just live with the ones we have inherited. You see them so often, you almost stop seeing them – not thinking about the impact the style can have on your home’s wider aesthetic.
But these seemingly small details can make or break your home’s curb appeal, so as the season of outdoor entertainment approaches, there’s no better time than now to give your porch a refresh with some new hardware and accessories.
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‘When hardware, lighting, mailbox, and numbers are considered as a composition rather than individual purchases, the home reads as cohesive and designed,’ Philip explains. Try sourcing pieces in the same or complementary finishes for a unified look.
(Image credit: Pottery Barn)
Philip likens door hardware to the jewelry that completes an outfit – though small in size, these details are capable of transforming a look in its entirety. Plus, they’re so easily interchangeable that it’ll take you no time to swap out one style for another.
While there’s nothing wrong with understated hardware and decorative accessories that blend into the background, choosing variations that tap into outdoor decorating trends can make the exterior of your home look that’s more unique.
According to Philip, there’s a growing appreciation for outdoor hardware in what he calls ‘living finishes’ right now – that is, unlacquered brass, aged bronze, or any patinated metal finish that feels dynamic and rich in character.
‘Warmth is key,’ he explains. ‘True matte black feels a bit overexposed, while graphite, oil-rubbed bronze, and softer blackened metals feel more current. Conversely, anything that reads overly bright or uniform, like high-polish chrome or flat satin nickel used everywhere, can feel dated because it lacks nuance.’ Finishes that are distinctive and look like they truly belong outdoors can elevate your porch’s aesthetic tenfold.
Don’t treat your door handle like an insignificant decor detail. Choose a style that can enhance your porch with subtle style, like Rejuvenation’s Haven Brass D-Handle And Ball Knob Exterior Door Hardware in aged brass.
(Image credit: McGee & Co.)
As for what styles are trending, Philip explains that he’s seeing ‘a move away from anything overly polished or predictable and toward pieces that feel collected, architectural, and quietly confident.’
‘There’s a strong return to materiality and craftsmanship,’ he continues. ‘Textured metals, hammered, knurled, cast, are replacing flat, overly refined surfaces. Hardware is meant to be felt as much as seen.’ Like the Griggs Solid Brass Entrance Door Set from Signature Hardware with its hammered look or this Personalized Wall Address Plaque from Birch Lane with its tactile border, hardware with textural details can add depth and visual interest to your porch. Plus, these details look charmingly vintage-inspired, too.
According to Philip, ‘Well-considered hardware and accessories create a sense of permanence, quality, and intention.’ While it’s not something that you need to change often, it’s a change that can make a major difference on your porch – giving it a refreshed, updated look. ‘It’s one of the easiest upgrades you can make, and one of the most impactful,’ Philip remarks.
So, if you feel inclined to give your porch an update ahead of summer, swapping your porch decor and door hardware might just be the easiest, lowest-lift adjustment you can make. Shop everything you need to make it happen, below.
Shop Door Hardware and Porch Accessories
‘I often tell clients: if you’re not ready for a full exterior renovation, start here,’ Philip explains. ‘Swapping hardware, updating house numbers, or replacing a mailbox can completely shift the tone of an entry without touching architecture.’
Though subtle, door hardware and porch accessories are significant. They can make the entrance of your home feel just as intentional and considered as your interior scheme. And after you’ve decided on these finishing details, you might as well take your outdoor furniture into consideration, too. We’ve rounded up 16 porch chair styles that are just as impactful in elevating your curb appeal.
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