The front entrance is one of, if not the most important part of your home. A depressing shabby front entrance can significantly reduce value, whilst a grand entrance that paints a positive first impression will do the complete opposite.
With a front entrance, there are many different aspects to think about and it all depends on the type of property you own and the control you have. As an example, if you live in a bock of flats and you only have control over your front door, there’s not a great deal you’re able to do other than keep your door and walls looking lovely with beautiful decorations and of course own a nice looking door. That said, if you have a three bedroom property in the countryside, you have the option to have stunning entrance gates, a beautiful stone driveway, a lovely front door and garage door, as well as clean windows and a tidy front garden. Every little element out front will play some role in determining the value of your home, but the aim here should be to impress guests, whether that be work colleagues, friends, family members of members of the public.
Choosing the right entrance door is probably the best place to start. It’s the one door that grants access to your home, and it says an awful lot about who you are, as well as the style of your home. Some entrance doors are period in style, perhaps Victorian, whilst others have a cutting edge feel to them, so there are plenty of different designs, colours and styles to choose from.
Your driveway or pathway leading to your front door is of great importance too. You may want to consider whether your driveway is:
- Well lit
- Tidy
- Safe to walk on
- Easy on the eye
- Suitable for wheelchair users
- In good condition
A driveway that’s cracked and filthy with weeds growing through will not paint the best picture, so be sure to pay special attention to this area. You may only think of it as a place to store your car, but it can be much more than that.
Your garage door is another important aspect, and in some cases, many people choose one that matches the front door of their home. As discussed, choosing a particular colour of door is now very easy, and many garage door manufacturers can colour match your existing front door so you get one seamless style.
You should also look at your buildings envelope, and not just how good the brickwork looks, but also the guttering, windows, doors, roof tiles and down pipes. All of these should be clean and tidy, whilst you should aim to clean these on a regular basis to prevent the build up of dirt or grime, which can cause problems later down the line.
If you haven’t done so recently, try and take a step back and look at your property as if you’re new to the area. Does it look run down or is it tidy and attractive? Be honest with yourself and if you find you need to make improvements, start making plans to fix any issues today. A well executed front entrance will differentiate your house from the others close by, whilst it will play a pivotal role in ensuring you get maximum market value should you ever put your house up for sale.