The never-ending debate between Victorian charm and contemporary style has also caught up to the home doors and windows. Comparing Victorian front doors and contemporary door designs on the basis of style, material, colours, durability and your home design can help you decide which one is best suited for your home.
Your home’s front door creates a first impression for visitors. The choice between historically rich aesthetic and modern minimalist design depends on individual taste and lifestyle. Victorian front doors can be a treat for your eye while contemporary doors offer a soothing view.
You must take into account your home’s architecture and your lifestyle to see whether Victorian front doors or contemporary minimalist ones are suited for your home.
Our blog explores the different features of both styles and compares them to see which front door is best suited for your home.
What are Victorian Front Doors?
Victorian front doors are characterised by decorative features, and an ornate and panelled structure. Made with durable materials, these can create a grand and opulent statement for your home.
Context
Victorian front doors refers to a style developed during the Victorian era, starting from 1837 to 1901. With this design, front doors became more than just functional entrances. Intricate details and heavy materials combine to create a heavy and strong visual along with increasing security for your home.
Features
Here are some main features of a Victorian front door.
- Multiple panels adding character to the front door.
- Materials for durability and reflecting luxury.
- Ornate decorations for added grandeur.
- Stained or decorated glass for adding depth to the entryway.
These are best for heritage or restored vintage homes; opulence matching the overall theme.
What is a Contemporary Front Door?
Unlike Victorian front doors, contemporary doors offer a minimalist sleek design, with geometric lines and polished materials. Simplicity in design and materials is a sheer contrast to its Victorian counterpart.
Modern simplistic front door designs have come to the forefront since the 20th century. With time the simple door materials evolved from plywood in the late 1900s to uPVC in current times.
Features
Here are key features that separate contemporary doors from Victorian front doors.
- The geometric lines with sharp edges add to the minimalist aesthetic.
- Blend of materials like wood, metal and glass create a visual diversity.
- Simple design to avoid visual jargon in the entryway.
- Larger glass panels for more light in the entryway and spaciousness.
- Neutral colours like grey, beige or light green front doors match the minimalist theme.
These are perfect for modern homes with minimalist themes and lack of intricate designs.
Victorian Front Doors vs. Contemporary Front Doors
Victorian front doors and contemporary front doors, both have their individual appeal. Here’s a comparison between both based on style, material, colour and durability while suggesting their suitability for homes.
| Feature | Victorian Front Doors | Contemporary Front Doors |
| Style | Traditional, classic, and ornate | Minimalist, sleek and clean lines |
| Material | Solid wood like Oak and Mahogany | Aluminium, composite and steel |
| Colour palette | Bright red, brown or dark green front door | Neutral tones like grey, white and beige front doors |
| Durability | Long-lasting but need to be maintained properly | Long-lasting with minimum maintenance needed. |
| Best Fit | Vintage homes | Modern minimalist homes |
Table: Comparison of Victorian Front Doors and Contemporary Front Doors
Victorian front doors differ from contemporary counterparts in aspects of style, colour, material, durability and theme match.
Finding the Right Door for Your Home
While understanding the key features for both types of doors is essential, you need to consider your home design and elements.
Architectural Style
Take note of the architectural style of your home. It is not smart to contrast the theme of front doors and homes. Such experiments can create false aesthetic statements, as doors create a strong impression of your home for visitors.
- Victorian Homes: For 19th or 18th century home grandeur, opt for Victorian front doors with intricate designs, ornate details and decorative features.
- Contemporary Homes: For modern minimalist homes, front doors with clean lines, simple colour and flat surfaces to match the overall simplistic design.
Functionality
Each home has different needs depending on location, people and weather conditions. For this the functionality of both front door types needs to be understood.
- Victorian Front Doors: Hardwood build makes it durable and resistant to harsh weather and mobility. It’s perfect for heavy traffic period homes in a rain and moisture heavy location.
- Contemporary Front Door: Superior security and easy maintenance with attached technology, durability and thermal efficiency.
If you have a home with a perfect blend of old and new, you could combine a little bit of both styles in your front door.
In Summation
Victorian front doors offer ornate and historical designs with focus on detailing while contemporary ones have symmetrical minimalist style. With distinct style, materialism, durability, and colour palette for both designs, Victorian front doors are suited for period homes while contemporary doors are perfect for minimalist homes.
Ready to Install Vintage or Minimalist Front Doors at your Homes?
Explore the range of home improvement brands in Northern Ireland, and find the front doors best suited for your vintage or contemporary home!
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