The front door area is the welcoming handshake a home makes to your guests.  This is the area everyone knows to keep spiffy, void of peeling paint, and often flanked by a fresh plant or two.  But what about the very first thing someone touches?  The doorbell. And who says it can’t have a little color?

Doorbell at front door

Doorbells are one of the easiest and least expensive DIY updates one can do to a home.  Like any handshake, it needs to say something about the home and its inhabitants.  Every gotten one of those limp wrist handshakes where the person sort of just extends their fingers?  Doesn’t inspire much confidence.  Well, the same thing can happen with a doorbell.  This is even more important if you a selling your home.

Doorbell at side door.

And yes, doorbells can be cool!  These doorbells both come from a company called Spore.  Spore is a neat company in Seattle owned and operated by industrial designer Ted Pierson.  He designs chic doorbells for the style conscious home or business owner.

Doorbells that don't shout but say "welcome."

Photo via Spore

What I like, besides being able to color coordinate, is the button.  It is big enough, seamless in design and forgoes the generic plastic rectangle which always gets dingy over time.  The five different styles come in numerous illumination colors of red, white, green, (Lisa) blue and yellow.  There is one for every home style from contemporary to traditional.  They are available online and through various local retailers.

As you embark on your outdoor projects this spring, install a new doorbell.  Give your guests a confident and inspired handshake.