A Front Door Makeover for $2.50

I need to start off by saying that this makeover won't be lasting for too long. ;)

We are planning to replace our front door sometime in the next year or two in order to let more natural light into our entryway. I would really love to find a door with a glass insert and paint it a fun color--and of course--add our address number to the front of it like we did at our last house. I loved those vinyl numbers so much!

BUT.

Our current situation was pretty boring, and I knew it would make the wait for a new door that much longer with everything looking so plain. 

See what I mean?

I also really wanted to decorate the patio for all of the holidays that are coming up and a grungy white door with a broken storm door to top if off did not set the best scene for a pretty patio display.

  

With money being pretty tight at the moment, I thought that I would just have to deal with it until we saved up for the new door, but then I got an idea: why not check the glorious money-saving "Oops" paint section at Lowe's? (Don't you just love light bulb moments like that?) I headed to Lowe's and pretty much hit the jackpot with two color options for only $2.50 a quart. That's right! Go to Lowe's, it can be your best friend, too. 

The colors I had to choose from were a navy blue and a basic red. I was of course drawn to the navy (I love my blues!), but ultimately decided against it since our house is painted a dark taupe color (not my fave but it's great to cover up aaaaall of the west Texas dirt) and I have two black flower pots that pretty much live on the front patio... and that kind of clash is no good in my book.

I normally steer clear of reds....but this one... I LOVE.

Yep. LOVE.

It is truly amazing what a little bit of paint can do. 

I used some supplies we already had to patch and freshen up all of the trim with a glossy white paint (I still need to touch up a few spots...), and I also attempted to DIY gold leaf the doorbell (but I kinda hate it in person, so I'm still working on that one ;)).

Before...

After...

My next project on the front patio will most likely be switching out the overhead light...

I'm thinking of a lantern, similar to this...

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I just think it's super classy, which of course makes me happy. My favorite affordable options are from Overstock...

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But I'm really wanting something more substantial, so I will probably keep looking.

Have you ever made a super cheap or even free update that has really changed the look of your home? 

Have a great day!