Oftentimes, paying attention to the smallest details is what people notice the most. The color of your walls, the fabric on your sofa — you may have agonized over the decision, but to your guests, they're so ubiquitous, the finer details are often taken for granted.
But when they're trying to locate your house on the street, or front door in the hallway, and they find a ridiculously design-forward number nailed in place — now, that's the sort of considered detail that will get noticed, make your front door look more expensive, and subsequently, elevate everything that's inside, too. Because if you care about those small details, you must care about everything else.
At least, it's something I'd see, approve of, and appreciate. And in writing this piece, I quickly realized that modern front door numbers are actually quite hard to come by. But not impossible, if you know where to look (and lucky for you, that's just below).
One of these ceramic front door numbers from Mud Australia has been on my wish list for as long as I can remember. Handmade in Sydney in collaboration with Vince Frost of Frost*collective, the sculptural 3D-quality and pretty pastel colors (it comes in a few) make it feel artistic. Plus, they've just added letters to the range, too.
First designed in the early 2000s by Dutch artist Reinoud Oudshoorn for the Olympian Quarters in Amsterdam, each of these front door numbers is cast in solid, ball-burnished aluminium and has an almost cosmic, space-like quality that makes them hard to look away from. The curved surfaces capture the light beautifully, too, glistening like raindrops. Just imagine them under a spotlight.
The font you choose is what sets more design-forward, modern front door numbers apart from the typical, standard styles. This matte brass design takes inspiration from the Art Deco period, with exaggerated, slim forms that look so visually striking. It's also available in letters, if you need.
You know once it makes it to Anthropologie, that it's about to be everywhere, and these cool, bubble-like, polished chrome front door numbers are everything. So much more affordable than some of the more bespoke styles — hear me when I say this: buy this now, it's going to sell out.
Ashley Law, founder of Flawk, a 'purposefully small-scale property developer', reimagines spaces with bespoke fixtures and finishes that aim to enrich lives. Take these wonderfully wobbly, raw aluminium front door numbers for example, which she describes as an 'ice breaker, a joyful first impression for the home.'
Considering front door numbers are usually accompanied by lighting, texture is key. These iron house numerals by Hammer and Tongs have a rustic, raw finish that would look incredible under light, while the looping font makes them feel slightly more elevated than your standard designs.
Are you someone who likes to match all the metals throughout your interiors? Well, ABI Interiors lets you continue the cohesion outside, with its numbering range, which is available in a brushed gunmetal, stainless steel, and brushed brass finish. Plus, the linear font feels instantly contemporary.
This polished chrome house numeral is from Britain's top-rated home security brands, and is designed to complement the brand's other door accessories from the 'Sweet' range, including knockers, handles, and escutcheon. It comes in several finishes, including a satin nickel and rose gold, and has serious 'curve' appeal.
While NAKNAK is an American brand, I've checked and it ships worldwide (though cost of shipping depends on the weight of the parcel). They sell both house numerals and letters, all in this cool curvy font (inspired by neon signs), and in six colors — black, red, white, yellow, green, and blue.
FAQs
How to choose the best house number for your home?
When it comes to front door numbers, people often default to one particular style. But choosing something different or more bespoke can say a lot about you and your home.
"Look for numbers and letters that are the same period as when the house was built," suggests architect Mark Holmquist. "A Craftsman bungalow may have Arts & Crafts style lettering, a mid-century modern home looks right with clean, sans-serif metal numbers, and a Colonial feels at home with classic serif lettering."
If you're after more modern front door numbers, though, sometimes it pays to deliberately contrast these details. "Modern numbers on a very traditional house, for example," says Mark. "This works if you are adding modern lighting fixtures or planters— make sure they are part of a deliberate, cohesive plan."
Where is the best place to put door numbers?
Obviously, house numbers are there to serve a specific purpose, so when it comes to where to put them, they need to be somewhere clearly visible from the street. (This is also a council requirement.)
But apart from that, there are ways to make the placement feel more elevated. "I always think they look best when they feel like part of the house or landscape, meaning that some thought has been given to the placement, they should sit naturally and not feel too crowded," says Mark Holmquist.
"When done well, numbering can help pull together the exterior look of the house. It’s a small thing, but it creates a sense of intention," he adds. "Some architects have been known to design their own lettering so the numbers were as much a part of the building’s character as the windows or the door."
It's all in the little details. "Done well, numbering adds polish in a way that people might not consciously notice, but they will sense the added sophistication," says Mark.
How to make house numbers more visible at night?
Lighting your front door numbers not only helps with visibility, but can elevate the overall design, too. As with most front door lighting ideas, it's worth considering the aesthetic you're after.
Front door numbers that are backlit can look beautiful, and this can be easily done with LED strips (available on Amazon). "If you choose backlit numbers, keep the style of the numbers very simple," he adds. "Often, all you need is a simple contrast if you have sufficient lighting — dark numbers on a light wall, or the other way around."
Another lighting option is a simple spotlight. "One that can be focused and controlled to only illuminate the door number is best, so it really pops," adds Mark. "With these spots, put some thought into the composition, and make sure the light isn't highlighting any defects in the paint or finish of the wall behind."
Available in a stainless steel, black or gray aluminium, this outdoor spotlight can be swivelled to point directly at your front door number, wherever it is. Add matching lights on either side or your door for symmetry, and illuminate different parts of the entryway for ease.
Other Front Door Accessories
I was in Mallorca earlier this year, and as I walked the streets, I kept seeing the most stunning door knockers. Whether sleek and simple or completely over-the-top ornate, they gave such a sense of arrival.
As many of the homes fronted straight onto the street, it was also one of the only ways to personalize the exterior; an opportunity for design and to hint at what may lie just beyond the door. So go on, put some gravitas behind where you greet your guests.
Apart from just good looks, it turns out there is a lot more to your house numbers than what meets the eye. Ever thought about the Feng Shui of your house number, and what it means? Some believe it can influence the life you'll live beyond those doors, so it's worth giving it some serious consideration.
