Julian Owen explains how to design a house that is packed with wow-factor features from the very first glance

If having an oversized door isn’t quite right for your home, try pairing a feature unit with matching panels and glazing, like this gorgeous entrance by Urban Front

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state agents are fond of saying that most people decide if they like a property within a few seconds from seeing it from the road. While this is probably an exaggeration, it’s a fair point that a great house design sells itself well before you walk in through the door. This quality is known as ‘kerb appeal’ and having it can increase the value of your home by as much as 20%. Whether or not you plan to make a profit, you probably want to have a good impression on visitors and passers-by alike. So here are some tips that will make the front of your home stand out from the crowd.

Choose the right professional

The key to creating a house design that is impressive right from the front gate is ensure that your professional team have all bought into the concept. Most of the principles to follow are universal and are not to do with any particular style or building materials, although there is plenty of inspiration to be found by looking at the design of period properties. One of the oldest tricks in the book was used by Georgian and Victorian architects. They put the most expensive features and materials front of house, on the basis that you spend your money where it is most likely to be seen. Whether you want a low-key cottage or a sparkling modernist jewel, the techniques for creating a frontage that will dazzle and charm the masses are essentially the same.