People who live behind a red door make the best neighbours, a study revealed yesterday.
Researchers found that those with a red front door consider themselves to be among the best neighbours, with nine in ten claiming they are a great person to live next door to.
And another 90 per cent are on first-name terms with their neighbours, with a third of those saying they class those who live next door as good friends.
Green front door owners are also good to have next door, with one in five claiming to be friendly with their neighbours.
The results were revealed in a study of 2,000 homeowners by paint and wallpaper specialist Farrow and Ball, which commissioned the research to launch their Great Outdoors competition to find the world’s best exterior door.
And more than half of those polled think a front door colour gives a lot away about its owner and the type of person they are.
A spokesman for Farrow and Ball said: ‘’Colour has often been used as a way of guessing someone’s personality, and it seems this can be extended to front doors.
‘’A good neighbour needs to be outgoing enough to talk to people they don’t really know as well as warm and friendly.
‘’Perhaps people with these personality traits are drawn to the bright and warm colour of red when it comes to giving their front door a revamp.
‘’So, if you are moving in somewhere next door to a red front door, it seems you don’t have to worry about what the neighbours will be like.’’
The study also revealed that those with a red door are also the happiest with their life, and more relaxed than anyone else in the country, as well as having the most extroverted personalities.
People with a smart, black front door were found to be the most successful in their careers, while green is home to the most trustworthy and intelligent Brits.
Surprisingly, those with a grey front door consider themselves to be the most bubbly.
The study also found that 70 per cent of Brits would be put off by a scruffy front door, saying it would give them a bad impression of the house before they even set foot in the building.
And a massive nine in ten people said that the front door was crucial in making a house look inviting.
But more than a third chose the colour of their front door because they thought it reflected their personality, with many seeing the front door as one of the first things people notice when approaching the house.
The study also found that if they were given the chance to change the colour of the door to 10 Downing St, Brits would like to see it painted red.
The Farrow & Ball spokesman said: ‘’It’s clear from the survey that first impressions count and that having a beautifully decorated door in a carefully selected colour is important.
‘’That’s why we’re launching our search for the world’s best exterior door.
‘’We’re asking people to upload pictures of their painted front doors to be in with a chance of winning prizes worth over £5,000. From the front doors of homes, to sheds, garages, summer houses or even beach-huts, we can't wait to be wowed by the entries.’’
To enter simply upload your photo on the Farrow & Ball Facebook page (www.facebook.com/farrowball) or website (www.farrow-ball.com)
The closing date for entries to the competition is on 12th April 2012.
