Your front door is one of the first things people notice about your home, so what you hang on it can make a big difference. A seasonal wreath, a simple sign or a little holiday decor can instantly make a lasting impression.
But not everything belongs on the front door, and some things are better kept somewhere else. Here are 10 things you should think twice about hanging on your front door.
Anything With Your Full Family Name
A personalized family sign can look cute, but there’s really no reason to give every stranger who walks past your house your last name. If you love personalized decor, initials or a simple welcome sign can give you the same look without sharing quite as much information.
Signs That Reveal Too Much About Your Family
Decor that announces where your kids go to school, what sports they play or other personal details may reveal more than you realize. Your front door is visible to delivery drivers, neighbors and anyone else who passes by, so save the more personal signs for inside.
Heavy Wreaths
That oversized wreath might look beautiful, but a heavy decoration can repeatedly bang against the door and potentially scratch or mark the finish. If you want something substantial, make sure both the wreath and whatever you use to hang it are appropriate for your door.
Decorations With Sharp Metal Edges
Metal signs and decorations can have surprisingly sharp corners, especially once they’ve been outside and started to rust or deteriorate. Every time the door opens or the wind picks up, those edges have another opportunity to scrape the door or hurt someone.
Anything That Blocks the Peephole
The decoration may look perfect in the center of the door, but not if you have to move it every time someone knocks. Keep wreaths, signs and other decorations clear of the peephole so you can easily see who’s outside.
Decorations That Cover Your House Number
If your house number is displayed on or immediately around your front door, don’t let seasonal decorations hide it. A beautiful wreath isn’t worth making your address harder for visitors, delivery drivers or emergency responders to spot.
Wind Chimes
Wind chimes hanging directly against a front door can become surprisingly loud every time someone enters, especially on a windy day. Some feng shui traditions also pay close attention to where wind chimes are placed, so a nearby porch or garden may be a better home for them.
Gloomy or Negative Artwork
Your front door sets the mood before anyone even walks inside, so images of destruction, sadness or conflict aren’t exactly the warmest welcome. If you’re hanging artwork outside, something cheerful, simple or nature-inspired tends to work much better.
Aggressive Messages
A funny sign is one thing, but threatening or hostile messages can make your entrance feel anything but inviting. Even if they’re meant as a joke, remember that neighbors, guests and delivery workers won’t necessarily know how you intended them.
Anything That Suggests You’re Away
A sign announcing that you’re at the beach, traveling for the season or otherwise away from home is information you probably don’t need to advertise. Save the vacation announcement for people you actually know rather than putting it on the front door.
