There's something about red that will always excite. Though not the easiest color to decorate with, it's an incredibly powerful tool (when used thoughtfully, and in moderation). While designers have long debated which room is best dressed in red inside the home, estate experts are more in agreement when it comes to the outdoors. Or, more specifically, the front door.
Despite being a somewhat risky front door color idea, red comes with approval from estate experts and celebrities alike – an example of the latter coming courtesy of Helen Mirren.
The actress, who recently made headlines for accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes, is revered for her timelessness – and a style that feels simultaneously bold but classic. It's only fitting, then, that her front door follows suit.
The energetic front door, seen on a London residence (per her Instagram caption), is a blueprint for decorating with red in a way that feels slightly audacious yet sophisticated. Unsurprisingly, estate experts love the results.
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'Red can be a smart accent when it suits the architecture and the street. On brick facades and traditional styles, a deeper, moderated red sharpens the focal point in photos and improves street presence, especially with crisp trim and polished hardware,' comments Ryan Fitzgerald, the founder and realtor at Raleigh Realty.
As Ryan explains, a well-executed red door 'signals energy, welcome, and pride of ownership,' which is an instant attraction to potential buyers. 'They read a crisp paint job, quality hardware, and a balanced shade as signs the seller cares about details, which primes them to expect a tidy, well-maintained interior,' he says.
'Cultural associations of red as warm and auspicious add to that first impression, but the effect depends on context and whether the rest of the exterior is cohesive.'
Plus, in the right (traditonal) setting – just like Helen's – Ryan explains that a red front door can outshine any neighboring properties.
'On the right traditional facade, a refined red can outperform the same house with a tired neutral simply because it photographs better and draws more people through the door,' he says.
'Following new construction and builder trends, I steer sellers seeking maximum price towards dark neutrals and use red via accessories, reserving a painted red door for homes whose architecture and streetscape clearly support it.'
If there's ever a week to follow Helen's timeless example, it's this one.
