5 Unique Home Features Guests Always Notice First

Guests notice certain unique home features above others when they enter your space. Their attention is often directed to well-made, well-placed, thoughtfully designed elements that they’re not used to seeing.

Here are five features that consistently stand out and impress, and how precision woodwork plays a role in each one.

Your front door and entry area make the very first impression. Instead of choosing standard trim and factory-made, average doors, consider a custom entry. Visitors will be encouraged to pay attention to the details.

What Makes It Stand Out?

Turned, custom wood columns, decorative brackets, and custom newel posts on the steps.

What We Offer.

Arnold Wood Turning creates porch columns that are functional and load-bearing, but also decorative and detailed to please the eye. Every piece is built to your specifications and designed to last outdoors for decades.

In many homes, the staircase is visible to guests as soon as they enter. This makes it a prime feature to have on your list of potential upgrades to consider.

What Makes It Stand Out?

Custom balusters and handrails can be custom-made to match your home’s design. Different wood species and wood finishes can either blend in or become a focal point depending on preference and how much of a statement you’d like to make with your staircase.

What We Offer.

We offer precision-turned balusters, newels, and more in standard or fully custom profiles. You can choose from over a dozen hardwood and softwood species including red and white oak, maple, cherry, poplar, and other wood types. Our capabilities also include matched profile replication, pre-sanding, and finishing options.

Open floor plans are a great way to let the main living areas of your home breathe. Wood columns help support the weight of your home in these areas. Why not make them your own as well?

What Makes It Stand Out?

Real wood columns are used to separate rooms, support ceiling beams, or even frame kitchen islands. They can be finished to match other woodwork in your home. When designed well with the right professionals, these columns become some of the most talked-about unique home features in any open-concept layout.

What We Offer:

Arnold Wood Turning manufactures architectural columns from 4” to 16” wide and up to 20 feet long in plain, fluted, or reeded designs. We can accommodate specialty orders like split columns, hollow centers, or custom base and cap integration. Columns are available unfinished or pre-sanded, and can be designed to match adjacent trim or stair parts.

Good lighting can bring out the best in the materials that make up your home, especially wood. Warm lighting on handrails, wall sconces near turned balusters, chandeliers above stair landings, and more can enhance your home’s sense of style without being overbearing.

Here’s a quick design tip!

Use warm-toned LEDs (2700K–3000K) for natural wood. Cool lighting works better for painted finishes. Avoid overly bright LEDs (above 4000K). They tend to flatten the grain and wash out the wood finish.

If your wood has a rich stain or darker tone (like walnut or cherry), keep your lighting warm and indirect to prevent glare. For lighter woods like maple or beech, you can go slightly cooler without any issues.

It’s not only about the big upgrades. Repetition of small details in tasteful ways can also bring out the best in your home. Using the same wood profile for finials, curtain rod ends, shelf brackets, and more can help a space feel cohesive and intentional. It’s the little things that often make the biggest difference!

What We Offer:

We can match or replicate any turning profile, in any scale. If you need a detailed stair part or a small furniture accent, we make sure the look stays consistent every time.

At Arnold Wood Turning, we’ve been creating the wood parts that help homes stand out for over 100 years. If you’re planning a home renovation or building from the ground up, our team works with you to create unique home features that fit your exact needs.

If you’re ready to get started building a completely custom quote for a project from the ground up, reach out to us today! You’ll speak to a human being who has experience and insight into wood species, dimensions, and turning styles. We can walk you through the options that best fit your project timeline, budget, and design goals.

Let’s bring your project to life!

From stair parts to columns and custom finial accents, we’ll help you bring standout wood details to life. Tell us what you’re envisioning today. We’ll provide expert guidance, pricing, and next steps, for free.