Mailboxes are more than just a practical necessity for receiving mail. They are often the first thing people notice when they walk by your house or enter your yard. They leave a strong first impression, particularly if it’s a stylish, well-chosen mailbox. They can really enhance your home’s curb appeal while working well with your overall exterior design.
Choosing the right mailbox requires putting more thought into the design, the material and the safety features. Explore available mail box designs and make sure they correspond with your overall exterior aesthetics as well, along the other things.
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Select the Design and Colour
When it comes to the letterbox design, it’s what creates a strong first impression on anyone who sees it. The design should also fit your house's exterior aesthetics and create a little cute corner of your yard that brings you excitement every time you open it to see what’s inside.
Explore mail box designs and see what catches your attention the most. Now, the style or design that you choose will also depend on your personal taste.
If you’re fond of traditional style, search for mailboxes that have ornate details and classic shapes. If you want some sort of transition between modern and traditional, you should look for letterbox designs that have elements of both styles.
Another good idea is to choose a simple and minimalist design with clean lines and neutral finishes. A minimalist design will never go out of style. It also fits well with literally any house design and as such, you can use it for years to come. It looks stylish, and simple, yet leaves a very good first impression and it can easily enhance your existing outdoor decor.
When it comes to the colour, if you want to stick to a versatile and timeless appeal, go for a mailbox in neutral colours such as natural wood in white, black or natural wood finish. Neutral colours will always remain fashionable and can work with any house style.
Choose the Type of Installation
Choose an installation type that best fits your home’s layout, aesthetics and functional needs. Wall-mounted, post-mounted and fence-mounted are the 3 most popular types of installation for mailboxes.
- Wall-mounted mailboxes are attached directly to the exterior wall of your home, typically near the front door or patio area. This installation allows easy access and it's great for homes that do not have large yard space or front gardens. Also, many people prefer this type of installation because they feel safer when their mailbox is closer to their home. If you prefer this installation, look for letterbox designs with large entry slots that can fit A4 packages.
- Post-mounted letterboxes are installed on a post, usually placed at the end of the driveway or along the curb. The post is often made from an aluminium body for stronger and more reliable support of the mailbox and is typically larger in terms of width and depth. This type of installation allows the letterbox to be easily accessible for mail carriers and highly visible from the street. However, they do require sufficient space along the driveway or curbside.
- Fence-mounted letterboxes are attached to a fence or gate, at the property’s boundary. They can be installed on various types of fences and it's ideal for properties with gated entries because they provide easy access for mail carriers. Also, placing your mailbox on the fence can provide added security against theft. These mailboxes usually come with large entry slots that can easily fit A4 packages.
Material Considerations
Mailboxes are made from different materials such as aluminium, brass, wood, plastic or steel. What you choose depends on what you prefer and what is your aesthetic taste. Each material can look pretty and they all have something unique to offer.
However, natural wood mailboxes remain the most popular type for many reasons, with their timeless appeal being the biggest reason. Accoya wood is often used in letterboxes made from natural wood because it provokes a stunning look and excellent durability. Accoya wood is actually a modified timber that offers a more reliable solution for mailboxes and as such, an Accoya letterbox will be less of a hassle to maintain and will last a lot longer.
Check the Functional and Security Features
Ensure that the letterbox you choose has weather-resistant security features such as a stainless steel visor, a box within a box protective structure, discrete lock access, hidden fasteners or a magnetic door latch. Such thoughtful design will protect your mailbox box from being stolen, broken or opened.
Personalise It
Add a personal touch to your letterbox and add your house number, family name or street name. Choose an interesting font that can also be easily readable and position it on the front, side or the top of the mailbox for maximum viability.