How to Make a Rustic Front Door

Paint the front door in a color that gives it a rustic appearance, such as brown, reddish-brown or gray. Shades of brown are commonly associated with rustic decor; pick a shade of brown that matches the exterior of your home. If your home is built of red bricks, choose a door paint that has both red and brown in it. If you desire a clean, natural look, sand the door so that its natural wood finish shows through. Varnish the door with a light stain so that the door's grain and knots are visible.

Replace the door's existing hardware with a black handle, key hole and hinges. Nickel- or brass-colored door hardware gives the door a modern, nonrustic look. Black hardware, which often looks like wrought iron, will combine with the door paint to add to the rustic feel.

Distress the door slightly by sanding elements of it with 180-grit sandpaper. This process will give the door a warm, worn look.

Hang a wreath on the door that has a rustic feel, such as a circular wreath made of thin sticks stuck together. To give a rustic appearance, the wreath's visible materials should all be natural. You can buy this style of wreath at a home decor store or build your own by gluing sticks to a circular frame made from two wire coat hangers. In the winter, make a seasonal rustic wreath with pine or cedar branches glued to a frame.