Installing decorative garage door accents is a great way to enhance your garage door and the curb appeal of your home.
In this article, we’re taking a closer look at the benefits of decorative garage door accents.
A Guide to Decorative Garage Door Accents
Do you feel that your new garage door is missing something? If you want to up your curb appeal and give it the final finishing touches, then you can add decorative accents.
There are lots of different things you can add, and they’ll all make the garage door look fantastic. Here are some ideas for you, so you can get the look you want.
Here’s everything you need to know about decorative garage door accents.
Does Your Garage Door Need Decorative Accents?
Once you’ve had your garage door installed, you’ll need to consider if it needs any decorative accents. The most common reason for adding accents is to add curb appeal, especially if you’re looking to sell the house. Those accents can make the garage door feel finished, and improve the overall look of your home.
Others may want to decorate the garage door just because they feel it needs something extra. It is your home after all, and if you want to add some décor to the door then you should go right ahead.
Others may look to add décor as they want to draw attention to the garage door. They’ll do this as they feel the garage door is the best feature of the house, or because the garage door is competing for attention with the front door. Whatever your reasons, you’ll be able to really make an impact with the right decorative accents.
What Kind Of Decorative Accents Can You Add?
Now you’ve decided that you want to spruce up the garage door, you’ll need to think about what you want to add to it. There are lots of different options, so you can pick something that suits your home. Here are just a few different pieces that you can use on your garage door:
Strap hinges: These mimic the look of real strap hinges on older barn and carriage doors. If you have a garage door in that style, adding these really completes the look of the doors themselves.
Handles and latches: Even if your garage door is an ‘up and over’ type, you could add handles and latches to make it look like a carriage door. There’s a huge range to choose from in hardware stores, so you can find the one that suits you best.
Clavos: These are decorative nails, that you can use around the edges of your garage door. These make it appear as though the wooden planks in the door have been nailed in, and again add a great old-world touch to the door.
These are some of the most common ways you can add visual interest to your garage door.
How to Add Decorative Hardware
Now you know what’s available to you, you’ll have to consider what you’ll buy and add to your garage door. Adding the hardware is very simple, and whatever you buy will usually come with instructions. There are some things you’ll need to keep in mind when you’re planning this project out, though.
Firstly, remember that less is more. You could go all out and add as much décor as possible to the garage door, but it will look too busy. It’ll actually detract from the look of the door, which of course isn’t what you want. Keep it simple, and you’ll get an excellent look.
Remember that most decorative hardware is meant to mimic the look of actual carriage and barn doors. Any hardware you add needs to look as though it actually is adding something to the functionality of the door. You want it all to look believable, so keep that in mind when you’re planning, too.
When adding strap hinges, place them where they would be needed if they were functional. Usually, they should be added to the top and bottom of the door, as well as an intermediate location too. This can be beneath windows. It needs to look logical, so plan out where yours should go.
Strap hinges should also be around ¼ to 1/3 of the width of the door opening. Buy the right size hinges to get the right look.
If you have a double door, you’ll need to have the right ratio of hardware to really make the look believable. In many cases, homeowners arrange hardware to look as though the single double door is actually two side-by-side swing doors. It’s very easy to achieve with just some strap hinges and handles.
Improving Your Curb Appeal
While adding garage door décor accents is an important step in improving your curb appeal, there are lots of other things you can do as well, and they’re all quite simple. Here are some ideas to show off that garage in the best light:
Paint or stain the garage door: Before you add the hardware, make sure the garage door is looking as good as it can be. Paint or stain the door, so you have a fully updated and well-cared for surface to work with.
Remove weeds: Weeds are sneaky, and they crop up all the time, even if you try and stay on top of them. Regularly weed the area outside your home, so it looks as good as it can be.
Add some lighting: Lighting is important around the front of your home, especially around your garage. It helps improve security, and allows potential buyers to see your home no matter what time they come by.
Move the car into the garage: If you’re in the habit of leaving your car on the driveway, start putting it in the garage. It’s more secure, and you won’t be blocking the view of the garage door and the front of the home in general.
Change the front door hardware: If you’re changing the hardware on your garage, do it on your front door too. New hardware makes all the difference.
New decorative accents on your garage door will make all the difference. You can really spruce up the outside of the home just with a few carefully placed pieces, so use this guide to change up your garage door.