How to spruce up the exterior of your home

First impressions matter. If you don't win people over from the start you spend the rest of the time trying to over compensate. This corresponds to your home as much as to you as an individual. If the outside of your home says one thing - such as unattractive, shabby and dirty - then the inside will have to play catch up proving your home is actually attractive, polished and clean.

So just how do you go about making the right impression to make sure the outside accurately reflects the inside? Here are three ways to make sure your property makes a good impression.

The front door

To claim an old, dirty, grubby and decrepit door is unappealing is an understatement; if your front door isn't worth a knock nobody will choose to step through the threshold and walk on in. Modernise your out dated door with a new one made from a solid hardwood such as oak. Match it to the style and period of your home and, if you need to, paint it in a bold, striking colour such as post-box red, navy blue or sea green.

The windows

The eyes are the windows to the soul so perhaps your windows are the, err, windows to your home's soul. Clean, secure and fashionable windows aren't just more attractive; they also let in more light but stop heat escaping and the cold from getting in. Double-glazed windows in line with your home's design, time period and style, will show you are clean, tidy and like looking out as much as you like to look in. Additionally you can make a real style statement with glazing; from floor-to-ceiling windows to cute portholes you can add loads of character to your property.

The walls

A huge section of the UK's population lives in urban locations. Fumes from vehicles and industry leave a film of dirt over your property turning it a dirty, dull grey colour. You don't have to paint over this. In actual fact, that's not really an best answer at all; washing the dirt off using high-powered water is a more superior solution. This is especially accurate if your property is not painted and the original brick or woodwork remains exposed. A clean, bright exterior will automatically make your property more attractive and appealing.