\u201cYou are going to see the front door from the moment you pull up,\u201d said Amy Vastardis<\/a>, a top real estate agent of 21 years in the greater Orlando, Florida, area<\/a>. \u201cIt has to pop.\u201d<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how to decorate your entrance door so buyers want to linger, not look for the nearest exit. (Check out HomeLight\u2019s curb appeal library<\/a> for even more inspiration and ideas.)<\/p>\n If your front door has ornate decorative panels<\/a> or rustic embellishments<\/a>, the door itself makes a statement. In that case, your best front door decoration may be nothing at all.<\/p>\n A steel door with a peephole, on the other hand, tends to look commercial. \u201cThere\u2019s no wow factor,\u201d Vastardis said. For doors on the plainer side, you typically can\u2019t go wrong with a little greenery to add interest or a touch of floral. Aim for something understated such as a magnolia wreath<\/a>, bouquet of lavender<\/a>, or eucalyptus,<\/a> fern,<\/a> and mixed berry combo<\/a>.<\/p>\n Note: <\/b>Fake plants and wreaths are typically fine (Nearly Natural<\/a> is a trusted brand in this arena with its 75 years of industry experience, and who wants to deal with dying plants on their door) but the idea of \u201cgoing natural\u201d with your door decor is that it keeps you from getting too kitschy with your design. Cutesy is a turnoff in most cases for the purposes of selling your home, as is going overboard in the seasonal department.<\/p>\n If you tend to spend too much time in the dollar section of Target eyeing cheap Halloween and spring decor, resist the urge to purchase selections like those moss letters<\/a> spelling \u201cJoy\u201d around Christmas, or an umbrella of tulips in the spring. A real pumpkin on each side of the door gives a rustic feel and plays to the fall season, but a wheelbarrow of pumpkins may be a bit much. You get the idea.<\/p>\n A front door that\u2019s a bright shade is a popular trend. In fact, 77%<\/a> of professional home stagers surveyed for RESA\u2019s report Front Doors and Selling Your Home<\/i> said that buyers react positively when they view a house with a colorful front door (interestingly, purple seems to be an exception).<\/p>\n However, just as a colorful door creates contrast<\/a> with the rest of the exterior, you also want to complement and contrast accessories with the door\u2019s color.<\/p>\n For instance, red flowers flanking a radiant red<\/a> door like Benjamin Moore\u2019s Caliente on a white or gray house provide welcome splashes of color against the house\u2019s neutral backdrop. But a red wreath or other decoration on that same door will blend in so well, it won\u2019t be seen from the street.<\/p>\n Likewise, a forest green decoration against a red door might remind too many buyers of Christmas, even in July. A better option might be a white wreath or decoration, complementing the house\u2019s main color but standing out against the red door. (Check out these 10 bedrocks of color theory to help create a harmonious color scheme<\/a>, along with these floral suggestions<\/a> to match particular moods.)<\/p>\n Hardware and house numbers<\/a> can pack a sophisticated punch all on their own, such as a black knocker and door handle against an aqua shade like Benjamin Moore\u2019s Blue Spa, or a polished nickel handle against a warm gray door and teamed with slim black house numbers, similar to these digits by Distinctions by Hillman<\/a>, in these projects via Four Chairs Furniture<\/a>.<\/p>\n Incidentally, your house numbers should be a good size that\u2019s visible from the street. \u201cNot to where it\u2019s obnoxious, but where people can see it when they\u2019re driving up,\u201d Vastardis said. \u201cI\u2019ve seen some that are so small, you drive right past the house.\u201d<\/p>\n Schlage<\/a>, a trusted lock and hardware manufacturer since 1920, has a helpful guide on picking the handleset finish that works best with certain hues. For instance, bright chrome and satin chrome provide an edgy look that pairs perfectly with cool blues. Aged bronze stands out best against fiery red and orange tones. Going green? Opt for a finish like matte black against lime and similar shades.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have the time or inclination to shop for new hardware, you also can paint yours a more striking hue, such as this DIY-er who ditched brass on a budget by spray-painting<\/a> doorknobs<\/a> with Krylon ColorMaster Satin Oil-Rubbed Bronze Metallic Spray Paint<\/a> ($4.59).<\/p>\n A symmetrical composition<\/a> is naturally pleasing to the eye, according to Better Homes Gardens. <\/i>If you have room for one planter, such as this H Stone Scroll Band Urn in Aged Ivory Finish<\/a> or this White Grecian Plastic Urn Pedestal Planter<\/a>, get a second to flank the other side of the door with identical plants.<\/p>\n Along the same lines, one wall sconce looks lonely. Purchase a second to make a pair and a more inviting entryway. Try the modern coastal design of the Globe Electric Turner Black Medium Base Outdoor Wall Light<\/a>, the Kichler Barrington Distressed Black and Wood Tone Outdoor Wall Light<\/a>, or the Bay Crest 1-Light Outdoor Sconce<\/a>.<\/p>\n Even if you\u2019re not an architect, you can probably tell when something looks out of sorts with a certain architectural style. Your house likely has a dominant style<\/a> suited to a particular region of the country\u2014such as Colonial and Cape Cod-styles in northeastern neighborhoods, or Craftsman bungalows and Greek Revival homes in the South.<\/p>\n Choose front door decor that augments your home\u2019s style. There\u2019s no need to deck out the entry of your quaint English-style cottage as if you\u2019re at the beach unless you\u2019re in a seaside community. A brushed-steel planter won\u2019t look right against the stucco or adobe facade of Spanish architecture, but a wrought-iron planter such as this one from Achla Designs<\/a> would, filled with cascading ivy or succulents such as a crown of thorns<\/a>.<\/p>\n Nothing personal against your decorating style. Just remember that at this stage to avoid anything with your family\u2019s last name or initial. \u201cIt goes back to the same thing where you don\u2019t want personal pictures in the house because it takes people out of visualizing themselves living there,\u201d Vastardis said. \u201cWe want people to feel like this could be their home.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/how-to-decorate-front-door-wood.jpg\")
<\/a>1. Go natural<\/h2>\n
2. Create contrast<\/h2>\n
![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/how-to-decorate-front-door-natural.jpg\")
<\/a>3. Add shine with fresh metallics<\/h2>\n
4. Use symmetry<\/h2>\n
5. Honor your home\u2019s style<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/how-to-decorate-front-door-mat.jpg\")
<\/a>6. Think mass appeal<\/h2>\n