It only takes a split second to decide whether you like the look of a house – it’s called kerb appeal. It’s a major factor in buying and selling houses. You should aim to make the best first impression possible with what you have. Here we explore the most innovative ways to make sure your front door shows off the best of your home. From the sublime to the ridiculous, you’re sure to find inspiration here – thanks to distinctivedoors.co.uk for helping us with this extensive collection
1. Try mixing up textures on the building to add interest:
Stone, glass marble and wrought iron. Doors don’t have to be as big as this to make an impact – you can achieve this look on a single front door.
Here, exposed brick is used with wood cladding and wood panelled doors. Veranda optional.
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Texture can be built up using the same material. With a variety of woods and shapes this front entrance is visually stunning!
Ornate carved wooden doors that look like they ought to be in a film.
2. Stone textures can be offset by softer dressings or foliage:
The stone here is almost fully disguised by foliage and ornaments. Shabby chic, but without looking scruffy.
There’s a stark contrast between the plain stone house nearest us, and the cobbled stone with flowers look next door! Which looks more homely?
3. Don’t forget to really dress up your door for the festive season:
Take away the seasonal dressing and this door would actually be quite plain. A quick fix any time of the year – a wreath is not just for Christmas. You can have Halloween ones too!
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Wow. Obviously the Christmas theme is slightly easier if you live in what looks like Santa’s personal ski lodge to begin with!
4. Add a little drama with period or cultural themes:
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This door, believe it or not, is not in some far-flung North African village, it isn’t even a Moorish inspired door in Spain. This can be found in Totnes. Totnes, Devon. Really.
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Well hello Gothic Revival! Neighbourhood children will be terrified of you if you live in a house like this.
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One can imagine dashing across this lovely crunchy gravel to take shelter from a passing rain shower in the pretty porch, whilst pretending to be a Jane Austen character.
Charles Renee Mackintosh has such a distinctive style, inspired by Asian Art. Suits almost any turn-of-the-century house.
An arts and Crafts door which has Medieval influences and lots of colour.
A simple metal light above this front door accentuates the elegance of the French inspired double doors.
5. Add lots of greenery and flowers for the idyllic country look:
Step into real country living through this heavenly rose covered front door.
If your area has the weather for it, add a veranda to the front of the house. It effectively adds another room to the house.
Juliet Capulet’s front door? Probably not, but this is a gorgeous Continental look. Rather than going for sculptural topiary, looser ornamental foliage avoids a hard line overload.
It doesn’t get much more rustic than Bag End, Hobbiton, Middle Earth does it?
6. Wooden front doors can be really make an impact. Choose something solid and suitable for the look of your house:
The half door above gives a real country farm cottage feel to the building before you even go in. The lower section is offset from the top, adding a quirky touch.
The detail in the glasswork on this front door (above) means that you get a fantastic look inside and out.
Really remarkable Native American (?) inspired solid wood door.
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The new age carving on this door isn’t to everyone’s tastes, but certainly makes an impact!!
7. Make the walk to the entrance really enjoyable:
The warm welcome glow, the unusual veranda, this modern American home looks really rather cosy.
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Well, you’d certainly get a pleasant shock if you pulled up for a viewing of this property!
A grand entrance for a grand location!
8. The weird and the wonderful:
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Unusual lighting inside and out with this modern take on stained glass!
Definitely for nature lovers, this oversized metal butterfly is certainly a statement. Plus adds extra security in a creative way!
Imposing wooden door with… are those dark magic symbols?!?
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This is really rather over the top for an entrance to a development in County Cork! But top marks for artistry.
This sort of ingenuity is sure to be memorable. Kerb appeal? Yes. Intrigue? Definitely.