We go through it at least one a day but it’s easy to let your front drive / garden / step make a bad first impression
- Put yourself in the shoes of your guest and stand at the front of the house with the door closed.
- Check your borders. Does the wall need repairing, is the fence collapsing, are your neighbours plants taking over your garden? A well maintained boarder will help assure your guest that the rest of the property is equally well maintained.
- How secure / safe is the path and step? Fix or replace any loose or missing paving material with matching material. If you are starting from scratch with a path or steps choose a material which is in keeping with the house, architectural salvage yards (www.salvo.co.uk) have a great range of materials for period properties or your local building merchant will be able to help with modern or reproduction material.
- Gardening. Trim back all planting. Less is more at the front of the house. Remember you are allowed to trim plants which are overhanging your boarder but it is worth letting your neighbour know first… they may even give you a hand!
- Symmetry looks expensive. Rather than clutter the front of the house (or the foyer) with lots of plants in pots try and have a maximum of two matching plants either side of the door. It looks classical and adds interest and colour. Move your other pot plants into the garden or into storage until you need them again.
- If you can see into your foyer, tidy in there as well. There is no point have a lovely front step if you can’t tear your eyes away from the piles of wellies, old newspapers and half dead plants.
- Clean. Warm, soapy water is enough to brighten up paint or UPVC doors and windows. They get dirty really quickly especially at this time of year and if your house is close to the road.
- Finally make sure your doorbell works. Nothing puts a guest in a bad mood than having to hammer on the door!
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Abigail Hall Design offers a full range of interior styling services. For a free half hour consultation please contact her.