The front door helps visitors form their first impression of your home.
When selling your home, the way your front door looks has the potential to hook prospective buyers or turn them away. A door painted a color that does not fit with the rest of the home may make the home become an eyesore in the neighborhood, while a door without any decoration will simply fade into the background on the street. Make your home stand out by adding a fresh coat of paint and other decorations to your front door. Does this Spark an idea?
Painting or Staining
Before painting or staining a new door, apply a primer or sealer to allow the paint or stain to adhere better to the door without soaking into the wood too much. An oil-based paint or exterior alkyd will last a long time, but it also has a strong odor and takes a long time to dry. High-quality latex-based paints will also work for the door, as long as any rough patches have been sanded down and a primer has been used to help the paint adhere. Choose a semi-gloss paint to provide some shine to the door.
Colors
The color you choose to paint your front door should not clash with the color of your home or shutters. Also, different colors send messages about the type of home visitors will find when they open the door. According to the principles of feng shui, a bright blue door suggests abundance, while a darker blue door evokes a feeling of calm. A green door provides a sense of balance to a home, and a red door suggests to visitors that they are welcome in the home. Choose a color you think represents your own personality. Remember that lighter shades last longer and need fewer touchups than darker shades.
Accessories
If your homeowners' association will not allow you to paint your door or you prefer a simpler solution than painting the entire door, make some changes to the door decorations. Use a nail or wreath hanger to add a wreath to the front door. Change the wreath to reflect specific seasons, holidays or other occasions. Add ornamentation to the door with a door knocker. Brass, bronze and iron door knockers, with and without peepholes, are sold at most major hardware stores. Choose a knocker with elaborate details or an animal shape, such as a lion's head, to add visual interest to your front door.
Trims
Draw attention to your front door with the type of trim that surrounds it. If your front door does not currently have any trim, add decorative trim around the door. From fluted designs to columns and arches, hardware stores sell trim in a variety of styles to fit your home, and many will also cut the trim to your desired measurements. Paint the trim around your door in a color that fits with your home's exterior color scheme. White, cream or black are standard colors that will complement most brick, stone or siding. If you prefer not to use a neutral color, paint the trim in a color the complements the color of the door, typically a shade or two lighter than the door.
Tags: front door, your front, your front door, your home, allow paint, blue door
