Kerry Washington’s front door color is among the sleekest ways to boost house value and curb appeal, say experts

When asked which hue is a failsafe option for a front door, designers and estate agent experts alike often resort to the most classic and versatile of all: black. Though safe, this choice is consistently chic, so its eternal appeal among celebrities is unsurprising.

Unprisoned actress Kerry Washington is the latest of these figures to remind us of the color's power via the front door to her LA abode. The dark front door color, seen in its glory on Instagram, acts as the focal point of her home's entrance. The exterior features distressed red-brick steps leading up to the eye-catching black front door, sharply contrasting the creamy white stone walls.

Washington elevates her curb appeal further by framing the area with lush green ferns – working in harmony with the door, creating the ultimate first impression. It's clear that black doors are a versatile and eternal classic, but how exactly does this hue increase the curb appeal of our home? We spoke to experts to find out the answer.

‘Black is a timeless color choice for front doors, transforming basic entryways into striking focal points that feel custom and sophisticated,' comments Chris Reinke, the vice president of research and development for doors at Masonite. 'This classic color offers versatility, complementing a wide range of architectural styles and exterior color palettes that enhance curb appeal.’

However, Reinke warns that a black front door like Washington’s might not be ideal for every home. ‘Homeowners in southern regions should be mindful that black doors can get very hot, especially on west-facing homes, as black paint absorbs more UV rays than lighter colors,' he says.

Property expert Seamus Nally agrees – adding that a black front door is an effective way to boost the market interest of a property. ‘From a real estate perspective, black front doors are often a great element as far as resale value is concerned,' he says.

'Black doors, and many other black design elements and accent pieces, are associated with modern design. Houses that appear to be more modern thus often sell for a higher price because of the new or updated factor that is associated with that.’

To improve our front door area in a way inspired by Washington, we keep coming back to this perfect black, designed by sustainable paint company Backdrop. It's designed for use outside, meaning it can withstand extreme weather and still make the statement we crave. Currently, we also can't stop looking at this Terracotta planter, available from Anthropologie.

With that said, Nally also warns that black front doors don’t work for every house. He says, ‘Of course, black front doors won’t work with every home style, so they’re not going to be beneficial every single time.’

It seems black front doors work best for more modern homes such as Washington’s and should be avoided in too hot a climate. However, if your home fits the criteria suggested by our experts, a black front door might be just what your home needs for a refresh and to boost its chance of sale when it eventually goes on the market.