According to a door study conducted by an independent research organization, changing a home's front entry door has been found to yield up to a 10 percent increase in the home's value. That means the way you choose to decorate your home from the outside speaks to what lies beyond the front door.

Here are some tips to help make your home as inviting on the outside as it is on the inside.

* Make a statement at the door. Your front door sets the tone for your home's exterior and gives others their first impression of the home. Upgrade your home's look and perceived value by replacing its entry door. Jeld-Wen offers an IWP Aurora Old World custom fiberglass door that combines the rich look and feel of wood with rustic hardware accents. This door requires no maintenance, even in extreme climates, and has a limited lifetime warranty.

* Create an intimate outdoor ambience with lighting. There are many benefits to lighting, including safety and aesthetic appeal. Lights on automatic timers help keep burglars at bay by creating the impression that someone is home. Lighting the path to your door or along your sidewalk also helps to ensure that visitors are aware of any cracks or steps along the way.

* Add color with flowers and greenery. Landscaping complements a home and can account for as much as a 15 percent increase in a home's value. Some great bulbs for planting are tulips, hyacinths and amaryllis. Hanging plants near the front door or around the perimeter of a porch also lend fresh fragrance to the air.

* Get festive with your finishing touches. Seasonal decor, such as pumpkins and wreaths at the front door, on the porch and in the walkway and window sills, guarantees an inviting exterior. Add a personal touch to your home's holiday look by grouping seasonal items together or displaying topiaries by the front door.

For more information on sprucing up your home's entryway, visit the Jeld-Wen Web site at www.jeld-wen.com.