Interior Decorating Ideas

Most people probably think that door awnings are only used by businesses, such as retails shops outside the front of their stores. While it’s true that this is the main use of these awnings, they are certainly not limited to shops. In fact, in recent years they have become more and more popular amongst home owners as a way of decorating the front of their house and making a bold statement. A door awning is a decorative invitation; it enhances the front of your house, and creates a focal point. It makes visitors feel more welcome, and provides shade to your doorstep.

When visitors come over, there are times when you are unable to answer the door straight away. You may be in the shower, or on an important phone call, and have to leave your guests waiting for a while. With the addition of a door awning to your home, you are providing them with shade from the sun when it is hot and shelter from the rain on those stormy days. Even when your guests have been invited inside, their shoes remain dry under the shade of your awning. It would be terrible if your guests left after a wonderful visit, only to put their feet into a puddle at the bottom of their shoes.

Not only are awnings a great way of making visitors feel more welcome, they can also provide protection to your door, and indeed your whole home. The shade of an awning will protect your front door from the harsh rays of the sun, and help keep the interior of your home cool during summer. Most doors are made of wood, and wood tends to fade over time when exposed to constant sunshine.

There are 4 main styles of door awnings sold in America, and each one is named after the place where it originated. The Chicago is a favourite style that has rounded edges and gives off an air of romanticism, while the New Yorker has a squarer, more formal feel. Rounded like the Chicago, but sitting lower down is the Savannah, and then there is the San Francisco style, that is square in design but lays flatter against the door, providing more shade.

Each one of these styles will give your home a unique look and feel, and they are all comparable as far as price goes. Where the price varies somewhat is in the choice of material. The most popular is aluminum, which is well known for being inexpensive, and a perfect solution for the outdoors, with it’s strong nature.

So while you may spend lots of time creating the perfect look inside your home with designer curtains and specialised furniture, spare a though for the outside of your home, and you will benefit from a more balanced decorative result.