How to sell your home

With property prices softening, bagging those buyers is an ever greater challenge - and kerb appeal has never been more crucial. Here's how to ensure your front door makes that powerful first impression.

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New Openings

If your front door is cracked, stuck or generally beyond redemption, invest in a new one. Wickes, Magnet and B&Q have affordable ready-made doors with or without frames; or try Direct Doors (www.directdoors.com; 01968 671681) for a wide selection of styles and materials.

Most ready-made models are already primed and ready to paint or varnish - you just need to source your own letterbox and locks for the finishing. Be eco-conscious. At the Forest Stewardship Council's website www.fsc-info.org you can find manufacturers and distributors whose products come from sustainable sources. And stay on-trend by opting for oak.

Bespoke doors will cost about four or five times as much as off-the-peg, but you're paying for top quality and can ensure a better fit particularly in older, period houses. Try the London Door Company (020 7801 0877; www.londondoor.co.uk) or Broadleaf Timber (01269 851910; www.broadleaftimber.com) for quality oak designs. For solid core wood security Banham is a name to trust (020 7622 5151; www.banham.com).

If you're after reclaimed period doors - such as Victorian four-panels, classic Edwardian five-panel designs, Georgian six-panels or stained glass doors - scour your local salvage yards. Try Cox's Architectural Salvage (01608 652505; www.coxsarchitectural.co.uk), Drummonds (01428 609444; www.drummonds-arch.co.uk) or Architectural Treasures (01233 850082; architecturaltreasures.co.uk).

Colour works

Street unity is smart, so when it comes to colour blending in with your neighbours can make your street - and property - all the more the desirable. So consider matching door colours.

Be aware that you may need listed building consent in certain London areas before you change your door colour, or even knobs and knockers. Check with your local planning office first.

Look for specialist exterior paint such as Dulux's Weathershield Exterior Gloss (0870 444 1111; www.dulux.co.uk) and International's Ten Year Exterior Gloss helps resist cracking and peeling (01480 484284; www.international-paints.co.uk).

For period chic try Farrow & Ball's Carriage Green - they call it 'front door green' (01202 876141; www.farrow-ball.co.uk).

Can't decide? Crown Paints (0870 240 1127; crownpaints.co.uk) helps you pick a colour and see it in 3D before you buy.

Soft greys create a cool, understated effect, ideal on contemporary homes; you can try Farrow & Ball's French Gray and Pigeon for some wonderful shades.

Update your door furniture

Accessories - door handles, knobs, knockers and letterboxes - can help give your door an instant facelift that will impress buyers. Think symmetry - letter plates and fixed doorknobs should be central, with knockers on the upper third of the door. Choose designs that complement your style of house: brushed steel fittings for modern homes, brass for period properties.

Consider chrome - it's the style du jour and is low-maintenance. Just clean with a soft cloth. It's ideal on contemporary doors. Try More Handles (01228 674999; morehandles.co.uk).

Shiny nickel looks expensive and smart on a black glossy door - for classic and contemporary designs try Willow and Stone (01326 311388; www.willowandstone.co.uk).

Wrought iron suits traditional or rustic style doors and traditional brass ring knockers are ideal for period panelled doors - try Architectural Classics (020 8144 1377; www.architecturalclassics.co.uk) or Beardmore (020 7351 5444; www.beardmore.co.uk) for top-of-the-range bespoke accessories.