Giving your front door a facelift should be top of the list for homesellers, not least because it will invariably be photographed and slapped on the front of the brochure.

A simple paint job will go a long way. Remember, period homes will always look best in heritage colours - matt black, smoky grey, hunting green, navy - with the surround painte din cream rather than white.

Modern houses can be given a fresh lease of life if a bit of attention is paid to the front door, says Clodagh Murphy of Gunnes.She cites the example of a drab suburban house which was freshened up by painting the door architectural grey, replacing the unfashionable glass panels with smart frosted glass and the letter box and door handle with stainless steel versions. Flank it with a pair of miniature trees in square planters and the look is comlete.