| European design has always attracted the rest of | | | | sensible use of space and natural resources. |
| the world, creations from a continent where | | | | A great example is the non-fussy, all smooth |
| civilization flourished early on. French and English | | | | facings seen in several modern entryways, |
| architecture proliferated with their uncompromising | | | | especially flush doors made with fine plywood or |
| artistry and intricate detailing. No modern | | | | MDF (medium density fiberboard) and molded |
| residential expanse would be caught without those | | | | doors made with MDF or HDF (high density |
| influences in their entry doors and windows, the | | | | fiberboard). Stainless steel, clear and frosted glass, |
| most visible parts of the home from the outside. | | | | vinyl, sheet metal and composite materials are |
| Italian and Scandinavian furniture design enjoy the | | | | highly sought after, along with rust and warp |
| same popularity at present, dominating the | | | | resistant fiberglass and veneer that eliminated the |
| market for contemporary front doors and | | | | need to stain or paint. Wood grain, silver and |
| apertures with crisp, clean lines on one hand and | | | | chrome finishes, glazing and double glazing are all |
| superior craftsmanship on the other. | | | | common marks of contemporary interior design. |
| In architecture and the rest of the arts, labeling | | | | A fresh set of hardwood and softwood varieties, |
| something as modern may be taken two | | | | including maple and pine, offer a break from oak, |
| opposing ways, as either present-day or in | | | | mahogany and other timbers once favored for |
| reference to modernism, a movement in the late | | | | older wood doors. Closet doors are also inspiring |
| 19th to early 20th century toward innovating | | | | contemporary front doors and exterior doors |
| conventional ideas. Thus, modern entrances may | | | | with their efficient use of floor space, such as |
| mean modernistic period doors taking off of the | | | | bypass or pocket type sliding, double and bifold. |
| Victorian, Edwardian, Georgian such as art | | | | Space-saving sliding glass doors known as Arcadia |
| nouveau and neo-Georgian, and art deco eras. | | | | and energy-saving revolving doors that consume |
| Otherwise, contemporary front doors are | | | | fewer air conditioning are added to great effect, |
| reflective of ideas borne out of recent times, | | | | as are sidelites / sidelights, mullions and transoms. |
| which at this point revolve highly around the | | | | |