How to maximise kerb appeal: Making your door Christmas wreath-ready

First impressions count and you want your house to look smarter, cleaner and more inviting than your neighbour’s house. If you’re planning on selling your home or have it on the market already, making sure that your front door looks it’s best is a number one priority. A traditional Christmas wreath will brighten up the dullest of doors, but without relying on bows and fairy lights, what are the top tips for making sure your front door hits the right note with potential buyers?

Wash and brush up

For an instant makeover, nothing beats wiping down paintwork with warm water and a splash of washing-up liquid. For varnished wood, use a gentle wood cleaner to remove grime and then buff with a clean cloth. A once-over with old-favourite Brasso will make any brass door-knockers gleam. Blake & Bull’s Chrome Cleaning Paste does the same job for chrome or stainless steel.

Fresh paint

Even the most neglected door can be quickly transformed with a lick of paint. Check out Youtube for video guides to painting your front door, you’ll find advice for each stage, from stripping the old paint or varnish to specific techniques for painting a glazed, flush or panelled door. This is one of the easier DIY jobs to execute like a pro, but bear in mind that outdoor painting is weather dependent. If the temperature falls below five degrees, the bonding agents in the paint won’t activate properly leaving you with an uneven, flaky finish and a less welcoming door than you had in the first place.

Colour choice

Some people believe that black is the only colour to paint your door for a classic, timeless and elegant look. Bolder colours are out there but painting your door orange, lime green or yellow is unlikely to have wide appeal. Country Life magazine’s poll of estate agents revealed that whether it’s midnight blue, duck egg, navy or teal, a shade of blue is the best colour front door for selling a house. To be on the safe side, opt for a classic shade in keeping with the style and location of your home. Forest greens and royal blues work well with red brick.

Door furniture

Replacing knobs, knockers, numbers and letterboxes provides an instant front door face-lift. Choose carefully and if you have an older or period property, make sure that the front door reflects the history of the house. With modern houses you have more freedom to go for a statement look.

Less is more

Don’t over-clutter your front door, especially with things that don’t match. Ideally stick with just a letter box and doorknob. If your house has a number, attach it to the wall rather than the door itself and if you’re displaying a house name keep the type face plain. Times Roman and Helvetica are both safe choices.

And finally.. once a potential buyer steps through your immaculately presented front door the entrance hall sets the tone for the rest of the viewing, so make sure it’s tidy.

If you are thinking of ringing the changes in 2022, you can easily book an online valuation of your home now. Alternatively contact our Milton Keynes or Towcester office and chat to one of our helpful team for some no obligation professional advice. Trust Mustard to sell your home and make it pastures new for 2022!

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