What to consider when choosing external door features

Thursday, 14 June 2012 3:39 PM

When decorating your home, it is easy to neglect the external of the property as you get bogged down with trying to make the interiors look stylish. However, the outside of your abode is the first thing people see, so make sure features such as doors and windows look their best.

In order to give a good first impression to visitors, pay particular attention to the external doors - both at the front and the back of the property. You should keep your front garden (if you have one) maintained so it doesn't look tatty or unkempt. If you also have a front gate, it is worth sanding it down and giving it a new lick of paint or polish if it is starting to look old and haggard.

However, once visitors are through the gate, they will immediately notice your front door. Therefore, it is crucial that you choose a door that will not only match with the overall design of your house, but is also attractive itself.

Dark polished wooden doors can look very classy and suit every type of household. Therefore, by fitting one of these doors, you will have the freedom to change the design of the interior of the property as often as you want without the external feature looking out of place.

Alternatively, you might prefer a painted door. This will give you the chance to add some of your character to the design, as well as the overall style of your home. For instance, if you have a country theme running through the property, it would look good to paint the door a crisp white colour. Little cottages also really suit a light olive green colour or dusky blue shade. This will enable you to add a bit of character to your home's facade.

Of course, for homeowners with Edwardian terraces, there is nothing grander than a jet black-painted door. The best thing to do is see what other houses nearby have for their doors and take inspiration from this, as well as the period your property was built.

When it comes to the features you put on your door itself, think about what type of knocker, bell, numbers, letterplates and door handles you want.

For grand properties or period homes, elaborate knockers will look great, such as one with a large lion's face on the front. Alternatively, modern homes will be better suited to contemporary-style knockers, including models in polished chrome that have straight edges and smooth lines. Homeowners with smaller properties might prefer ring knockers, as these are simple and cute, much like the homes themselves.

When considering what type of door handle to get, there are a number of options. Many people prefer to have levers so they can easily open the door, while you might favour door knobs if you don't want to have too many large features on show.

External door handles differ from those you have inside your house as they should be stronger and sturdier, be weather-proof and not easily breakable. You don't want a burglar to be able to access your property simply because you attached a flimsy lever.

Again, pick one that matches the period your property was built, as well as the style internally. Victorian homes suit brass door handles, while contemporary abodes look great with satin chrome levers with sharp lines, such as external Veer door handles.

 

Tags:
• door features
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• external doors
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• houses