How to Add a Modern Entrance to a Ranch Style House

Clean exterior front surfaces, such as the front door, walkway, porch, railings and walls, with a pressure washer and allow to dry. This provides a clean canvas to work with.

Apply a fresh coat of paint to your front door. Select a color that complements your house color. Black adds a classic touch to almost any home and provides a striking contrast against light-colored exterior walls. Bright hues, such as yellow, blue or green, are ideal for updating a coastal ranch entry door.

Replace your doorknob with a new one. Also, install a shiny silver or brushed nickel door knocker and kick plate to add a modern sparkle to your door.

Cover exterior entrance railings and trim with a fresh coat of paint. Select a paint color to coordinate with your house and door color.

Replace old house numbers with modern numbers in bold black for a traditional ranch or a color to coordinate with the front door for a coastal ranch style.

Remove old front-entry light fixtures and replace them with new ones to provide a clean, new look. Suspend an outdoor chandelier from a porch ceiling centered in front of the door for a larger ranch home with a spacious front porch.

Replace your doorbell with a new one.

Add large, decorative potted greenery or flowering plants beside the front door. This adds fresh color, energy and texture to your front entrance. For stairways leading up to the front door, place potted plants on individual steps to welcome guests.

Add a wrought-iron bistro table and chairs or bench to a larger front porch area. A coordinated wicker settee, chair and table also provide ideal outdoor comfort. Colorful pillows, bench cushions and an outdoor area rug create an inviting sitting area.

Freshen up old mulch in landscaped areas near the front entrance, trim unruly bushes and pull unsightly weeds.

Illuminate the front entrance pathway with small solar lights.