symmetry or balance. balance is cheaper.

fix the decoration over the door to something plain or horizontal, i wouldnt like it even if your door was centered.

then add balance with a chair to the right of the door.

You can center the door if you don't mind losing the light of the sidelight by building out the walls. You will also be unlocking the door pretty close to the side wall. There are reasons it's built this way -- make your peace with it.

I agree that the chevron has to go - I was even considering replacing it with a transom but worried that it would contribute to the lack of balance.

You could do one door centered and a bit wider than your current. The door itself and sidelight seem dated anyways and will update the exterior of your home. You could also paint the new door a different color to really accentuate the front entry. Without seeing the rest of your home, my first thought is to avoid a transom. Right now I like that the height of your door and front windows align.

I do love the idea of something like this - sidelight looks more like a part of the door.

Prehung Side light-Transom Door 80 Solid Mahogany 9 Lite Marginal · More Info

Symmetry is often overrated and boring, and in this case would be expensive to attain. Definitely do something with the transom. Your image above would look great if you're willing to spend the $.

Do you have a photo of the full exterior of your home? I feel like right now we're all guessing that you need symmetry or asymmetry. A full view of your home would be most helpful. ;)

A single wider, taller door right in the middle would work, but needs to be reframed and big bucks. That would be down the to do list for me. You live on the inside.

Right now the only exterior pic I have is this one (we won't have unrestricted access until closing) - the main/central section of the house is very symmetrical.

All the different textures make it look confusing. remove the chevon, add detail to the top/front on the inset to match the porch's upper rail. Put in a runner rug that comes out to the steps or even stain it into the concrete.

Very charming. I love the setting too. Since the door is under the porch, it doesn't create an issue from the curb. Looks like you may have some roofing issues to address?

Yeah, it's a cedar shake roof, has 3-5 years life left. We've budgeted in to replace sooner rather than later, though. Also needs exterior paint, so we're replacing the entry door with something updated and picking new exterior colors. We're also considering removing the decorative trim above the front porch railings.

I really like the upper trim, its a continuation of the railing below and adds character. The shake roof totally goes with the style and siding. They have composite cedar look. Overall, it is adorable. Only the door bugs me. I would avoid any arched details on the new one. Go simple and straight.

The main problem is that your door and sidelight don't match.

Haha, dog is a nice touch!

Since your home is very symmetrical, I would raise the point that an asymmetrical entry is needed for some interest. Like you said earlier, changing out the chevron pattern above the door would be helpful as well as updating the current door style.

Hope this helps and thanks for posting a photo! Congrats on the new house!

Thanks for the input, everyone. I've been looking at single-sidelight doors pretty extensively over the past few days and am leaning toward something like these (style, not color) - they're a bit more updated and have cleaner lines but will fit the existing space with no expensive modification. We'll probably just replace the chevron bit over the door with plain siding - I can always hang a decorative something-or-other up there for interest if I want to. Hoping this will be a good compromise to update the front without breaking the budget.

Look like great options! I prefer door #1, personally.

Kelly and groveraxle have the right idea! Just refresh your existing door and sidelight with new door glass. Here's a few ideas that are similar to your current door configuration.

The single sideline issue drives me to distraction too. I am glad I am not alone and am curious how it turned out !

I absolutely hate the single sidelight look... I can’t understand why builders do this, it looks terrible. It ruins curb appeal!!!

Wish Kelly M would post picture of house now. They were going to do a lot of work on it.

Well done!

I love the new door. Where did you get it? It's exactly what I'm looking for. It's crazy how much more expensive the doors are with a side lite.

@Ginger Stockett It was from Home Depot - Krosswood Doors 50 in. x 80 in. Craftsman Alder 3 Panel 6-Lite Clear Low-E Unfinished Wood Right-Hand Prehung Front Door/Left Sidelite. I don't see the exact SKU online anymore but there are some similar ones. We got ours unfinished and stained/polyed it ourselves - oh, and because it's alder and can take stain unevenly, we used wood conditioner on it before we stained.

@Kelly M Thank you for the update, and the tips ;) I have a similar dilemma with a single sidelight door, and it really helps to see before and after examples.

Select a regular door with a glass insert, reframe the entry to not have a sidelight, just a door with glass.
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We had the same problem and solved it that way!

Just centered an e try door. Money saving and you get the symmetry you desire.

These photos are very helpful! We also have a front door with single sidelight and we hate it. Our opening is not large enough for double doors. We have a beautiful brick arch as well. We’re thinking a single front door is the way to go to help balance the front of the house. Photos of our front door exterior and interior are attached; thoughts and ideas are welcome!