Your front door can add value to your home - or cost you a hefty fine

Since windows are likened to eyes, then front doors, by rights, should be likened to mouths – they speak volumes.

An ill-kept, flaky front door probably gives away more secrets to passersby than a homeowner might like to admit – and would likely turn off a buyer.

Meanwhile, anticipating what front door colours will have potential homebuyers eagerly loosening their purse strings could pay off handsomely.

Even if you shell out for a namedrop luxury paint brand, a can of paint costs substantially less than other upgrades said to lure buyers, such as a new kitchen or updated bathroom.

What front door colours will add value?

But how much value can the right front door colour add?

An answer was recently offered up by window and door retailer Safestyle. They pored over data from 1,000 semi-detached houses listed on property portal Zoopla to spot correlations between front door colours and sale values, both nationwide and by region.

According to a Safestyle analysis of stats* from Zoopla, across the UK, red is the colour to reckon with when it comes to front doors.

Safestyle found that the next two most appealing front door colours nationwide were grey and black, with house sale prices boosted by 20% and 11% respectively.

The research also pinpoints trends in front door colour tastes by region.

• In Newcastle, the clear winner is currently sage green – properties sporting this front door hue attracted offers that were 16% higher than average
• Further west In Liverpool, the front door colour of choice is navy blue
• In Wales, the top choice in Cardiff is black
• While in Leeds a grey front door will earn home sellers a higher offer on their property.

Suzy Chiazzari, principal at the Holistic Design & Colour Institute, isn’t surprised to see red, grey and black at the top of favourite front door colours.

She shared these colour psychology pointers that can help us to understand why certain front door colours are perennially popular:

• Red: This is the second favourite colour of adults in the UK (blue is the favourite), so it is not surprising that red front doors are popular. Red is a bright, warm colour, which has the effect of welcoming you home and uplifting your mood, especially when you are tired or stressed.
• Grey: This neutral colour suggests a dependable but independent spirit. It is often chosen by householders thinking about resale, as it appeals to a wide selection of tastes and often reflects the taste of people living in a contemporary city environment.
• Black: Makes a bold statement, giving your home psychological protection. Black is a colour of strength – think 10 Downing Street – and this shade underlines the idea that a front door protects the home from bad weather and unwanted visitors.

How changing your door colour could cost you

Picking the wrong paint colour can be a fraught decision in more ways than one.

As reported by the BBC, Edinburgh homeowner Miranda Dickson realised to her peril that her pink front door had ruffled a neighbour’s feathers to the tune of a £20,000 fine, if she failed to tone down her colour choice. After receiving a complaint, Edinburgh City Council had sent her an enforcement notice regarding the door, which is in a conservation area.

If you live in a leasehold property, a house on a managed estate, in a conservation area or listed building, there may be covenants or clauses that dictate what colours you can and can’t paint your front door.

It’s always wise to check your contracts before you paint your door, or risk a fine and an order to repaint it if it’s the wrong colour. And, according to Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, you could potentially be fined for painting the exterior of your home if your local council feels it ‘adversely affects’ the area.

In the end, Dickson opted to appease her neighbour and change it – and painted her door a bubblegum green. The move left her feeling “sad”, and little wonder. Chiazzari told us that a person’s front door colour choice is an indicator of their personality and lifestyle, and also reflects what they want to say about their economic position and how they interpret social trends.

In colour psychology, pastel pink suggests ‘loving’, ‘kind’ and ‘feminine’ characteristics. Green is quite different, and complex, and how it is seen swings from ‘natural’ and ‘peaceful’ to ‘greedy’ and ‘envious’.

How to change your door colour without upsetting the neighbours

As they say in property, it is all about location, location, location. Miranda Dickson’s front door colour calamity in Edinburgh could have been a veritable triumph in the fashionable streets of London’s Chelsea, where the pink front door is a badge of honour.

Robert Green, director of the John D Wood estate agents of Chelsea Green said: “Chelsea has long been a favourite spot for those who enjoy a splash of colour, as the many pastel-coloured cottages in the area demonstrate.

"For some, stark white stucco in a conservation area can limit that joie de vivre, and so the front door can be an avenue through which one can indulge in a little self-expression.”

He adds: “Pink has been popular, and I often enjoy the door on Oakley Street, leading down to the river, which combines this vibrant hue, with big letters spelling out LOVE.”

So, how to avoid making front door colour choice mistakes that could be financially and socially costly?

Estate agents and other property experts are a font of knowledge when it comes to this. 

We also spoke to Sophia Fuller, an associate at Strutt & Parker in Suffolk, for her view on the best front door colours for selling a home – and ones that won’t upset the neighbours.

“There isn’t a single right answer as to the ‘best’ colour for your front door as it depends on so many factors, including your home’s architecture, the building’s age, and even sometimes your neighbour’s front door colour,” she says.

“Period houses often suit more traditional colours, such as navy blue, while country cottages look idyllic with duck egg blue or dusty pale green doors, and a white clapboard house can suit a darker shade of green, which makes a nice contrast.

“If you have a terraced townhouse, you can use the front door colour as a way to stand out from your neighbours, so it’s a great opportunity to go for a wow colour, such as yellow, provided your deeds and covenants allow it.”

This sentiment is echoed by Daniel Copley, consumer expert at Zoopla. He tells us that right now there is a trend for classic colours with earthy hues for front doors – particularly popular are shades of olive green, navy and grey.

“While choosing your front door colour is personal preference and allows you to differentiate from similar properties nearby, it can have an impact on your property’s kerb appeal."

“For those considering a bold colour, ensure it’s in keeping with your property and surrounding neighbours. It is important to remember that first impressions count when selling a home, and whilst you may like something a little unusual, it could be off-putting to potential buyers, whereas neutral palates may offer the broadest appeal.”

More ways to make your front door impress

“Kerb appeal is a major factor in a buyer’s decision-making process, as house hunting is all about first impressions,” says Sophia Fuller.

“The front door is of course a big part of this, and you can showcase both the home’s personality and its quality through everything from the front door’s colour and design, to the ‘door furniture’, such as the knockers and handles.

“The simplest way for sellers to give a good first impression is by ensuring their home’s exterior is in the best possible condition – whether that’s giving the front door a lick of paint, cleaning the windows or cutting back planting.”

Daniel Copley agrees: “Your entrance may help you improve the appeal of your home, so ensure any paintwork is in good condition, or ensure a plastic or composite door has been cleaned thoroughly.

"Don't forget to polish your letterbox, any house name or numbers, and door knockers too, and keep the entrance clear.”