As the focal point of your home, the entryway frames the entire house and sets a tone for the interior. Compared to other exterior elements of your home, such as windows, roofing, trim, or shutters, the front door reveals the most about your home’s personality and character. That means it’s crucial for the front door design to complement the architectural style of your home on an aesthetic level.
When perusing through steel or iron front door designs, it’s a good idea to draw cues from the architectural style of your home. Of course, that’s easier said than done. In my experience, I’ve found that most Texas homes don’t conform to one style but rather form an amalgamation of different architectural aesthetics.
That said, you can emphasize certain characteristics of one style with the door design you choose. Using a survey of residential homes conducted by the Texas Historical Commission, I’ve compiled a list of the most common architectural house styles in the state.
Let’s take a closer look at the top designs that work fabulously with iron and steel front doors.
#1- Colonial Style
Colonial style homes incorporate many European characteristics with tall columns and grand entrances to create a bold and beautiful look. Huge living spaces with detailed architectural features make this house a treat for the eye.
This symmetrical home style places the front door right in the center, making it the central focus of the house. Wrought iron front doors with mini arches or transoms can accentuate the symmetry while combining old world charm with modern simplicity.
#2- Rustic Texas
Rustic homes utilize large areas and prioritize comfort for tenants over all other aspects. Rustic homes incorporate natural materials such as wood, stone, and lime. They often have large living spaces and entryways, along with a focus on creating beautiful outside views.
Black steel doors are often used to create a mesmerizing contrast with earthy tones and to define doorways. Large steel doors with huge glass panels allow warm natural to flood in and offer gorgeous views of the outdoor area.
#3- Craftsman
The Industrial Revolution in the late 18th century was characterized by mass production and homogeneity. It was during this time that people started craving handmade items, and the backlash resulted in the architectural design now known as Craftsman-style.
It features natural materials such as stone and hand-forged metal items that can be incorporated with your steel windows and door beautifully. Other notable elements include overhanging eaves and exposed rafters, along with partially-paned doors and double-hung windows.
#4- Shed Style
Shed-style homes entered the Texas architectural scene fairly late but have surged in popularity since the 1970s. These houses became quite popular in Austin and surrounding areas as they incorporated modern elements and utilized multiple roofs.
These space-saving homes are characterized by brick exterior cladding, small windows, and a downplayed front door. Single iron doors and Dutch steel doors look superb with this house design.
#5- Mid-Century Modern
The mid-century modern aesthetic uses architectural elements that were popular in the past and modernizes them to create a futuristic aesthetic. This design was highly influenced by technological developments and space exploration in the 1960s. Mid-century modern homes use clean lines, minimalist elements, and geometric shapes.
Notable design elements include open-floor plans, sliding glass doors, and large glass windows. Modern steel door designs such as the steel French doors are extremely popular with this aesthetic.
#6- Mediterranean
Italian, Spanish, Californian, or a bit of all three all fall into the Mediterranean. These homes feature stucco exteriors, large windows, multicolored tiles, and pretty pergolas that give off transport you to a European seaside vacation. Black steel front doors embellish the entryways of these homes and add a touch of elegance. Many homeowners complement the black front doors with big black steel windows that let the breezy winds in and make homes cozier.
About the Author
Sarah is an interior design expert in Austin, Texas, who routinely collaborates with the renowned door design and manufacturing company, Pinky’s Iron Doors. The company offers a wide selection of iron and steel door products, including iron exterior doors,factory-style steel doors,iron glass doors, steel French doors, steel and wrought iron front doors, pocket doors, iron patio doors, as well as custom iron doors.
Sarah enjoys attending different design conventions and forums to stay in tune with the latest design trends and to find inspiration for her structural design services. She also enjoys writing about how varying architectural houses reflect homeowners’ personalities and aesthetic styles.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article has been offered as a recommendation and should be independently researched and fact-checked. Exposure to various elements and continued usage can affect doors and windows, including any linked products, in different ways. We strive to ensure that all the information provided is deemed reliable, but results cannot be guaranteed as iron products are subject to rusting, discoloration, and corrosion when exposed to environmental elements.
