Any suburban area, which is owned, requires development: construction of a house and outbuildings, laying out a garden and vegetable garden, arrangement of a recreation area and construction of enclosing structures. However, not one a private house or a dacha cannot do without the most important organizational zone - the entrance, the place where the owners, their friends and relatives, guests and just visitors first of all go. At the same time, all entrance areas require proper design, including garage doors, a gate and, of course, the entrance to the site.
Many summer residents and owners of country cottages often have to think about how to uniquely design the entrance to personal plot, because it is he who first catches your eye when visiting a garden, sitting on vacation or when receiving guests.
Design principles
Typically, the entrance area to the garden consists of several fundamental elements:
- directly from the entrance;
- gates, gates or blind doors to the garden;
- paths leading from the entrance to the house to the beginning of the garden;
- the actual doors to the building.
To create a single comprehensive solution and a positive atmosphere, all details, colors and materials for decorating this space must be selected in the same style. Before you design the entrance to your personal plot in an original way, you need to analyze the features of landscape design and decorative finishing home and surrounding area.
If the garden is surrounded by a metal fence with a designer, original forging, then the gate is selected in the same style. Wooden carved structures can be combined with heavy products made of rough metal, stylized as antique and aged. A house and a fence built of red brick will be equally well suited to structures made of metal and wood, or combined products that combine two materials at the same time.
The only exceptions are ethnic styles or highly specialized country music. But even in such styles you can find unusual design solutions, using metal tinting to look like aged copper or a stylish, trendy fence and wicker gate today. Such structures can be given their originality by clay household items or metal parts hung on enclosing structures.
Decoration
Planting a hedge of low-growing trees or evergreen bushes at the entrance to a site is today the most popular and fashionable type of landscape zoning. An elegant picket fence painted pure white goes well with this “green” fence. Designs made from thin metal rods tinted with silver or gold paint will also look elegant. Such products give the site originality and exclusivity, transparency and lightness.
Path planning and arrangement
The next element is the path to the porch of the house from the entrance to the garden. It is advisable to plan its placement along the shortest route. Some design solutions include smooth curves in the path to the house, which are stylishly emphasized by lanterns or decorative borders. In accordance with the theory of the fashionable teaching of Feng Shui today, it is curves and smooth transitions that can attract positive energy into the premises from the outside, favorable for all family members.
Decorating the entrance to the house is an important aspect, because it will not only have a beneficial effect on others, but will also delight the owners. Not only the first impression of the owners, their neatness and hospitality, but also of the home itself depends on the design of the entrance to the house. The entrance is like the face of your home; it makes it unique and individual. Custom design of the entrance will give your home special features, make it different from other homes and decorate it. An improperly designed entrance can not only spoil the appearance of the house, but also make a negative impression about its residents.
There can be many options for decorating the entrance to the house; it all depends on your imagination and design creativity. After all front door a country house can be made more original than the door of a city apartment. Usually the house is surrounded by greenery, which in itself will become an element of the interior of the site, and will give the house a peculiar zest, making it unique.
When choosing the interior for the entrance, it is necessary to take into account the shape, color and details of the house so that they are interconnected with its appearance and architecture, and are a single whole. The entrance canopy should be painted in accordance with the general color scheme Houses. By design, you can determine the owner’s desire to give his home a certain character, emphasize its solidity, or can show extravagance, or, conversely, coldness and efficiency.
There are the most common design options for the entrance to the house that you should focus on, but they can be modernized according to your taste and desire. What is common to all is that their design elements can be used both in combination and separately from each other.
The entrance area with a fence made of metal structure semicircular shape. Often such structures are supplemented with a plexiglass roof. This design looks good and at the same time serves as a trellis for climbing plants: ivy, clematis or wild grapes. Often the entrance to a country house is decorated in a style typical of rural houses. This style is characterized by trellises on both sides for creeping climbing plants, a flower bed in the form of a pyramid and, of course, a door cornice, which is designed in traditional style flashlight. And how beautiful is the entrance, decorated with an arch and side trellises. In this case, the symmetry of the entrance area will be beautifully emphasized by tubs with boxwood, and decorative ivy will be good not only in the summer, but will also have a special charm in winter. Those who like to experiment can decorate the entrance to the house in the style of countries Far East. An unusually shaped gate and a path laid out from stones of various shapes and sizes will look very stylish and unusual. If this option is not acceptable to you, then the entrance area, designed in a Mediterranean style, will look unusual and original. Such an entrance will be distinguished by columns that can perform both a constructive and decorative function. Clay vases and pebble mosaics will help complete the influence of Mediterranean traditions. Creative people can try to diversify the design of the entrance and create their own image of decoration, which will only emphasize the originality of the entrance area and can emphasize its unusualness.
A beautifully decorated entrance does not mean it is necessarily expensive. There are many tricks that will help you decorate the entrance area to your home in a beautiful and original way. By applying the basic directions and adding a little imagination and hard work, and combining all this together, you can realize any architectural idea, and your entrance will become a source of admiration and pride.
The porch is an obligatory element of the entrance part of the building and its “business card”. The desire to decorate your own home, taking into account fashion trends and personal taste preferences, is inherent in almost everyone. The design of the porch of a private house should emphasize the integrity of the entire structure and make it more attractive. There are many options for designing the entrance of a building, so we invite you to consider the most popular and interesting of them.
Wooden porch
The most popular option remains installing wooden decking on the porch. In most cases, such structures are made from pine wood, as the most inexpensive and popular natural raw material. If the porch is properly sealed, varnished and painted, it will look attractive for many years.
This current method decoration of the facade, which is decorated in country style. This design can be complemented with wood-based porch decor, which will add atmosphere country cottage. Wood can be complemented with stone, which is relevant not only for country style. In private country buildings, these two materials look quite harmonious together and are suitable for finishing platforms, doors and for use as decoration.
Concrete porch
Concrete is considered a universal material, which is cheap and reliable, and is also optimally suited for making porches. This is a monolithic structure that will not begin to wobble over time, which is sometimes inherent in wooden products. In addition, it can be easily repaired and decorated with any decor. Do not forget that a concrete porch can be of various shapes, which will not particularly affect the price and the amount of time to complete the task.
Concrete structures can be decorated with tiles, for example, clinker. There are options trimmed with stone, and also painted and treated with other materials. In modern buildings with a facade made of wood, brick or siding, the concrete porch can be left without additional covering. This allows you to emphasize the features of the texture of the walls and their colors.
Brick porch
A brick porch is a more expensive option compared to the previous ones, but it also looks attractive and is considered a fairly reliable solution for decorating a home. Installing the structure may take more time and require serious effort, but in the future the work put in will pay off in a big way, since it does not require additional maintenance.
Often, a brick porch has a concrete base or a covering of steps based on other materials. There are also options for laying tiles on the steps. It looks homely, inspires confidence and adds reliability to the building. But be careful, as any step surface you choose should not be slippery, otherwise this area will become potentially dangerous in the cold season due to snow and ice.
Porch made of stone
Natural stone is considered classic version. Such raw materials are distinguished by durability, presentability and strength, which is especially important. There are many varieties of stone, some suitable for the base, and a number of others for creating decorative elements (and the raw materials for making the base will be much more expensive). Although, in general, all types of stone can withstand adverse weather conditions and will not require additional maintenance for a long time.
If the building is made of stone, then you can fit a porch with columns into the overall structure. Natural stone can be combined with monumental elements. This composition will look harmonious.
Metal and wrought iron porch
Usually, when they talk about a forged or metal porch, they mean decorative parts of the structure - awnings, railings, steps, which are made of metal. But sometimes a completely metal porch is installed in a private house.
The main advantage of such structures is increased strength and service life. However, you will have to constantly paint and treat your porch to prevent it from deteriorating due to corrosion. Moreover, a metal floor will be quite cold, so it is not suitable for arranging a terrace. The latter option requires a concrete base or wood flooring on a metal base.
Porch with canopy
In most cases, awnings seem to continue the roof and, together with the porch, perform the important function of protection from the effects of precipitation and solar radiation. This is an excellent option for arranging a comfortable entrance to the building.
If the building has architectural features that do not allow installing a canopy over the main entrance, even a small one, replace it with a canopy. Such a detail will not only partially perform the functions of a canopy, but will also be able to diversify the appearance of the building, and if you choose the product correctly or make it in an original way, it will become a real decoration of the exterior.
Even a small canopy can make the entrance to a private home more presentable. Its shade can protect you from the sun, as well as save you from streams of water during the rain if you open the doors or wait for the car.
Porch with steps and railings
If the house has a high foundation and you can install steps that will lead to the main entrance, installing railings will be relevant. This design will make the exterior of the building appear safer and more stable, and will also perform a very specific function and help residents and visitors enter the house in bad weather.
This is a traditional type of design for the entrance to a building. It can be combined with a canopy or canopy, and can also be decorated various designs additionally, so that the composition looks complete.
The appearance of the house creates the initial impression of its owners, so it is very important to design it correctly. The entrance to the house is a defined area that connects the living space to the street. Let's look at how to make the entrance to the house attractive and how to decorate it further.
Options for decorating the entrance to the house
The entrance area should be designed in accordance with the architecture and exterior of the entire building. Therefore, it is necessary to very carefully select its finishing options and accessories that complement its design.
We suggest considering several options that differ in style for decorating the entrance to a private house.
When decorating a cottage, the most important thing is functionality and practicality. Among the types of private houses, cottages are the most popular. The space in front of the house, and, accordingly, the entrance part, is clearly visible from the street, which means it requires some effort in finishing it.
The location of the recreation area, games or entertainment is connected to the inside of the cottage, and the entrance area is in full view of passing people. This area looks very beautiful with a large door, a stone path leading to it, lighting and decorative elements in the form of figures located on the sides of the path. Of great importance in the design of the entrance area is green plants: shrubs, flowers and decorative lawns.
The number of flowers and greenery depends on the size of the area located in front of the entrance. It is possible to use solitary compositions consisting of oaks, weeping birches, apple trees, and maples. Japanese trees, mountain pines or bush roses also look beautiful. The classic style in the design of a cottage is the presence of a green lawn, a hedge formed by lumpy plants and paths leading directly to the door.
A modern option for decorating the entrance of a private house is a combination of simple, but at the same time elegant details. Window openings made in the form of an arch, stained glass or mosaic decoration of the façade, forged grilles and railings in the porch area, asymmetrical steps - all this attracts with charm and creativity. This style is suitable for people who want to stand out from the crowd.
Entrance to a private house photo:
Art Nouveau architecture goes well with garden compositions. A distinctive feature of the entrance design is the presence of a pre-house patio, framed by living shrubs that form a border. To design smooth lines of a flower garden, fences with forging elements are suitable. The presence of a water component is another characteristic feature of the Art Nouveau style. The design of a mirror pond, which is complemented by irises or sage, will fit well into this style. If it is not possible to build a pond, use fountains or waterfalls of various shapes and variations.
An organic addition would be the use of a forged arch, garden bench, pergola in the design - this will become a kind of connection between the entrance part and the garden.
Entrance to the house porch: style variations
The porch is an obligatory element of the entrance part of a private house. Its function is to emphasize the beauty and integrity of the entire building. Each owner tries to decorate this part in such a way that it stands out from the general background.
The porch is, in some way, an extension, which, if necessary, is equipped with a staircase or a canopy. Since houses are always raised to the foundation level, steps are an essential component of the porch, climbing which the guest gets to the platform located in front of the door. The number of steps is calculated in such a way that a person steps with the same foot on the threshold platform with which he first stepped on the step.
To protect the porch from the effects of precipitation, a canopy is placed on its territory. Railings act as both a decorative element and perform their main functions.
The main function of the porch is to decorate the entrance of a private house, so in the process of decorating it, you should pay attention to some nuances.
For example, if the facade of the house is wooden or panel, then the porch should be trimmed with wood. When decorating the porch of a stone house, use materials in the form of glass, brick, artificial or natural stone, concrete or plastic. It is possible to combine stone finishing with wood, but such an experiment should be treated with extreme caution. To make the overall design cohesive and organic, use the same materials for finishing the house and porch. For example, if there is forging in the fence of the house, then decorate the porch with it too.
Don't skimp on finishing materials, since the porch is an element that influences the overall perception of the house.
Decoration of the entrance to the house photo:
We invite you to familiarize yourself with the style trends in the design of the porch. Of course, the most ideal option would be to design and decorate the porch in harmonious combination with a common exterior. But there are other design options. In general, the choice of finishing the front entrance to a house depends entirely on the preferences and wishes of its owners.
1. The classic style of porch design involves a gable canopy, point railings and decorative balusters with a rounded shape. Standard facing materials tiles or decorative stone protrudes. The main features of this style are severity of taste and restraint. A moderate amount of decorative accessories: a few flower pots and a wreath on the door are the basis of this style.
2. Country style porch design suits wooden houses. Tall and spacious wooden house will decorate the porch with a large number of decorative carvings and patterns. It is better to use hanging flowers; the railings and canopy should be exquisite. Wooden benches and a path to the door, also made of wood, will look good.
3. A porch in the form of a fortress house - immediately from the threshold it shows that the house is the support and protection of its owners. It looks like a massive structure, which is often used as decoration. natural stone. Torch lamps, forged fencing parts and lattice structures on which plants climb will add charm and richness to this exterior.
4. The European style of porch design involves regular shapes and restrained lines. In most cases, a porch of this type is small, it is lined with natural, artificial stone or ceramic tiles. A large number of garden figures, hanging and floor flowerpots, and bells will add coziness, and a wicker chair and table, at which it is convenient to read a newspaper, will add a homely atmosphere.
5. French-style porch - has similarities with the previous design option, but still differs in some subtleties. A characteristic feature of this style is the presence of a glass door, which is decorated with an openwork lattice. Furniture made of wood or wicker will decorate the exterior. To complement the composition, use hanging flowers, bright but at the same time delicate colors.
Having become familiar with the basic stylistic techniques in the design of the entrance to a house, we will give several recommendations for improving the overall exterior of the building.
There are a large number of variations in porch design, the choice of the appropriate one depends on the owner of the house, although there are techniques that will help turn any porch into a cozy meeting place for guests.
If you plan to install flowers with pots, they should be installed on both sides of the door or staircase to avoid asymmetry of design. To make the front entrance more cozy and at the same time protect from the sun, use light curtains. If the porch is also a veranda, purchase comfortable garden furniture.
There is an option for constructing a porch that will serve as a patio in the form of an open terrace connected to the house. If the porch area allows, then it will fit perfectly summer cuisine, on which you need to place chairs and a table. An expanded version of the porch allows you not only to welcome guests, but also provides comfortable relaxation in the fresh air, but at the same time close to the house.
Arrangement and landscaping of the entrance to the house
Before purchasing plants that will help decorate the entrance part of the exterior, you should carefully plan their placement. The design of the entrance to the house must be developed taking into account all the smallest details. When building a new house, the entrance part is developed in conjunction with common project, if you plan to design an existing building, then it is best to do this project separately.
To begin, draw a plan of the area where the plants will be located. When choosing their types, it is better to consult with landscape designers.
The style of plants depends not only on the preferences of the owners, but also on the general style of the building. Plants should highlight the existing style and highlight its distinctive qualities.
If you plan to arrange a front garden in front of the entrance part of the house, then you need to remember one fact - the front garden, in this case, performs two functions - it decorates the exterior and is a place near which it is possible to locate a recreation area.
Low-growing plants are planted in front of the façade wall and given the desired shape by pruning. Such plants are also suitable for decorating the path leading to the entrance. In this case, they will act as a border.
There should be no feeling of asymmetry or imbalance. For example, if in front of the house, a large number of plants are planted on one side, and there are none at all on the other. Thus, the perception of harmony and balance is distorted.
There are two principles for designing the entrance of the house:
- symmetric;
- asymmetric.
The first involves planting plants and their arrangement in a certain order on both sides in the same way. This principle is quite simple and traditional. It is suitable for houses that are symmetrical in structure, in which the entrance is located in the center and there are the same number of windows on both sides.
It is possible to use asymmetry, but very carefully. This principle is based on the following example: imagine a scale with one large ball on one pan, and several small ones on the second. Try to maintain balance at all times when planning. This design is suitable for creative individuals who want to decorate their extraordinary home. To achieve the desired effect, you should work very hard to develop such a design.
The most important quality of decoration in landscape design is the attractive appearance of the created structure. The main focal point should be the entrance to the house. In addition to plants, it is advisable to use additional accessories that will help set the right focus. But you shouldn’t overload the space; it’s enough to choose the right details that will harmonize well with each other.
The most popular way to landscaping the entrance area is to frame the house with greenery. For example, tall trees are planted along the edges of the house, then shrubs and lower plants, thus creating a border that directs the visitor to the entrance area.
The main rule is to prohibit placing large and tall trees near the entrance of the house. Such plants will hide the porch behind them and shift the focus, and guests who come to the house will not immediately understand where the entrance is located.
Another mistake of improper distribution of space is placing all the plants under the walls of the house, and laying out a lawn on the remaining space. The result is a wave that leads to the division of the front section into certain zones.
In the process of planning landscape components, you should take into account the presence of:
- plant structures;
- small architectural forms in the form of a fence, path or supports.
It is prohibited to plant plants that are incompatible with each other in one area. Such a composition becomes chaotic and unbalanced. Therefore, when choosing plants, consider their type and flowering period. Also, you should pay attention to:
- soil type;
- presence of drainage;
- location in relation to the sun;
- presence of wind.
To green the entrance part of the house, try to give preference to types of plants that will decorate the exterior all year round. But this does not mean that you need to buy only coniferous trees; buy several deciduous trees and bushes, which will gradually change according to the time of year.
Use evergreen plants to create a fresh atmosphere in winter. But, you don’t need to buy a lot of such plants, as they darken the overall appearance of the house and make it gloomy.
The most best choice are plants characteristic of the climate of the region in which the house is located. They will easily adapt to temperature conditions, are quite unpretentious and do not require special care.
The main function of trees is to provide shade, highlight appearance of the exterior, in a way, the trees act as a hedge that prevents the curious glances of neighbors or passing people.
Before planting trees, you should think about how much space they will take up when they grow. To soften sharp roof lines, place trees at the back of the yard. There is no need to place trees near the house, as there is a risk of damage to the foundation by tree roots.
The main component connecting trees and flowers is the bush. To make the entrance of the house welcoming. Plant shrubs so that they create a path leading directly to the house. You should not plant shrubs directly on the lawn; it is better to place it on the border areas.
To improve the visual perception of shrubs, they should be planted only in unpaired numbers. To create a non-standard design, it is recommended to plant shrubs in a wavy or arched manner.
A lawn is used to connect all the elements. This platform should be of a simple shape with no sharp edges.
Flowers are the brightest and most attractive type of decoration for the entrance of a house. It is possible to use flowers in pots, hanging arrangements or live bouquets. This is the most difficult design element. Flowers require constant care, although they bloom for several months. Choose simple color schemes that contain two or three shades. The type of flowers should be correlated with the overall style of the entrance to the house. For a classic exterior, roses in light and subdued tones are suitable. For modern style choose exotic bright plants. Do not make flowers the dominant feature of the landscape, as they will distract attention from the entrance. Flowers are an additional touch that will only emphasize the owner’s idea. The correct and well-thought-out combination of landscaping will make the entrance part spectacular and attractive, and guests coming to the house will be pleased with such a reception.
According to Feng Shui, planning solution summer cottage can open up a sea of new opportunities for you and attract happiness and harmony, or vice versa – become the cause of various troubles in life. A Feng Shui consultant told us how to properly arrange a garden area and attract beneficial Qi energy into your home.
Adjust the shape of the area
Feng Shui always strives for the correct shapes (square, rectangle): they ensure the harmonious flow of energies. If suddenly your site has an arbitrary shape, try to compensate for it, for example, by creating the correct parts by planting bushes, paths, and lighting.
It’s good if the area of the plot and the size of the house are commensurate and balanced in proportion: when there is a huge building on a small area, there is absolutely no room left for the free circulation of energy and replenishment of the house. It's like wearing tight clothing that restricts your movement.
Assess the terrain
It is ideal when there is an open space in front of the house, an elevation at the rear, and an embrace of neighboring buildings or small elevations on the sides of the building.
Since the back of the house is associated with protection and support, behind the building there should be an elevation like a mountain, guarding your peace of mind. But having an open space in front of the building with a slight elevation (for example, in the form of a flower bed) allows you to attract beneficial Qi and new opportunities into your home.
If you are facing the house, then the “hugs” on the right should be slightly larger than on the left, but not higher than the house itself. In the classical Feng Shui landscape model, these embraces are represented by hills, gentle mountains and small elevations that protect the house from the winds and allow the accumulation of Qi energy in front of the house. In modern conditions, this function can be performed by neighboring buildings and tall trees.
The right side of the hug corresponds to masculine energy, and the left side to feminine energy. For example, if there are fewer hugs on the right or no hugs at all, this may indicate that such a house is dominated by women, but male energy is poorly supported. Be sure to check the balance of all four sides of this model relative to the building and site, so that the house seems to “sit on a throne” - with a high back, strong armrests and a comfortable footrest.
Decide on the fence design
The appearance of the fence is important, because it is the first impression of the house and the character of the owners. Whatever fencing design you choose, it should not be too high: make sure that the size and design of the fence harmoniously combines with the house, as if it were a single whole.
It is important that the entrance or gate is visible against the background of the fence. Good lighting of the entrance, a bell, a welcome sign - all these seemingly little things affect the atmosphere of the house as a whole, because it is a single organism.
Of course, take care of the serviceability of the locks and door hinges of the gate: a creaky and rusty door creates a repulsive effect for both people and positive energy. After all, Qi behaves in the same way as our attention - if something irritates you, then this will be reflected in the quality of energy.
Make the right paths
The smoother and more tortuous the trajectory of the tracks, the better. Look at the rivers - they do not flow strictly in a straight line, but bend, encountering various obstacles along the way. In Feng Shui, we strive to recreate natural forms in architectural miniature: they are considered the most harmonious and favorable. A good architect is one who makes a path where a path should be.
If your site already has straight paths, try to visually smooth out the straight lines, for example, with plants, lanterns, and decorative elements. This is especially important for the path leading to the main entrance to the house. Give preference to plants with soft forms. Varying the height of the plants along the path will also help create and direct the necessary flow of Chi.
The proportionality of the paths and the house itself is also of great importance. The path leading to the house should not be narrower than the porch, otherwise you will narrow your options. It is considered favorable if the junction of your path and the main road is wider. Imagine that this is a river and a tributary through which life-giving water flows to you.
Decorate the entrance to the house
It is difficult to overestimate the importance of a properly designed entrance to the house. It is through the main entrance that energy enters the house, the quality of which is the key to the well-being of the residents.
Check if the main entrance to the house is visible when you enter the gate. Will the guest be able to accurately determine where to go? Try to indicate a clear trajectory of movement using any accessible ways– a place for planting flowers and bushes, different heights of plants, lighting, including enhanced decor and lighting of the main entrance.
The situation when the entrance to the house is located close to the fence is considered unfavorable, since such a planning solution literally blocks the oxygen and flow of Qi into the house. Therefore, it is important to visually expand the space in front of the entrance to the house in all available ways. Energy needs a free place where it can gather and enter the house. Try to keep an open space in front of the entrance without obstacles, do not clutter it with plants, buildings, heaps of sand, peat, and especially garbage. Don’t forget that the porch should always be clean and well lit - replace burnt out light bulbs on time.
Check the location of buildings on the site
According to Feng Shui, the ideal location for a gazebo with a dining table is the place that receives the maximum amount of sunlight during the day. Look at the trajectory of the sun, check where the shadow of the house and other neighboring buildings falls; pay attention to how open this place is to the eyes of neighbors and passers-by - privacy and comfort must be taken into account. And don’t be afraid of the sunny side: a canopy or a lush tree crown will serve as good protection from scorching rays and provide comfort throughout the day.
As for the barbecue, it belongs to the element of fire and can also be a strong activator of energies - at least try not to place barbecues and open fires in the northwestern and western sectors of the site.
If the bathroom is located on the site, place it as far as possible from the house and the well or borehole. Also avoid its location in the northwestern and southwestern sectors of the site.