You only get one first impression, so you want to make it a good one.

This is true in life, and when it comes to your house. One of the first things guests - not to mention potential homebuyers - notice about your house is your front door, which is why it’s so important to have a beautiful and inviting entrance.

By following these five tips, we guarantee that the first impression your home makes will be a great one!

Choose a Bold Color

An attractive front door is a great way to add instant curb appeal, so go bold and make a strong first impression with a burst of color.

Red is a popular hue with a lot of history and meaning; the Chinese consider it to be a lucky color.

A soft blue is a great way to invoke the sky and sea, especially in coastal areas.

Yellow is a bright, happy color that will bring a smile to your face every time you walk through it, while green doors indicate an ambitious person with traditional values lives inside.

Decide which color best describes you and then go for it!

Add a Few Flower Pots

Flower pots add color and personality to your front porch, especially if you choose pots that complement the style of your front porch.

Plant seasonal flowers so you can enjoy their blooms year-round, and use pots to frame the space but don’t overwhelm it. Create a dynamic visual affect with pots of varying sizes, and for a cohesive look, match the color of the pots to the front door.

Polish Your Knockers and Knobs

Doorknobs and knockers can get grimy quickly. They’re outdoors and are touched many times a day, so it makes sense. For a clean and well-kept look, give them a good shining. Better yet, replace them with updated models that better reflect your home and style.

Update Your Welcome Mat

A doormat is one of those utilitarian items, but it doesn’t have to look like one.

Look at your doormat as an opportunity to add a little personality to your entryway. Make sure it’s in good shape, that the colors aren’t faded or stained, and that the colors pop.

You also want to make sure it does its job - don’t choose one so beautiful you can’t bring yourself to wipe your feet on it!

Make sure it’s big enough for the space and no wider than the door itself, and choose a style that captures the essence of your home.

Make House Numbers Count

The very first thing visitors will look for is your address, and that means searching for the numbers of your home.
Make sure your numbers are bold and visible, and that the style fits the overall vibe of your home.

Just like your front door, this is a great opportunity to go bold and do something a bit unexpected, especially since house numbers are usually smaller and don’t take up too much room. A little goes a long way!

With these tips, you front door and porch will show the world just how wonderful your home is.

Neal Johnson is a CMCA, CRB, CNE and GRI-certified, licensed real estate broker at Network Real Estate, which has exclusively served a high volume of property sales and purchases in the greater Wilmington area for more than 30 years. With three offices at College Road, historic downtown Wilmington and Pleasure Island, Network’s brokers are widespread and well-versed in this marketplace, making Network a preferred real estate company for first-time homebuyers and beyond.