(ARA) – As you prepare for family and friends to gather at your house during the upcoming holidays, you want your home to look its best. A beautifully trimmed tree. Candles glowing in every window. Every table lavish with cherished decorations.

But what about the exterior of your house? It’s too cold to paint, and landscaping is no fun this time of year.

Take a look at some homes next time you are out and about. You may notice that one aspect of a home’s appearance that is often overlooked, but shouldn’t be, is the garage door. It’s an easy fix that can be completed in a few hours in most cases. Best of all, it’s a relatively inexpensive way to add a fresh look to your home and increase its value.

Garage doors are available in a wide range of styles, colors and materials to complement any home’s architectural style. In recent years, garage door companies have increased their selections of stamped steel doors that are attractive, durable and more affordable than wood doors. For example, Amarr Garage doors offers stamped steel carriage house doors that look like wood carriage house doors, but are lighter and require less maintenance.

“We have found that consumers in the current economy are seeking affordable garage doors that are stylish and attractive. Steel doors are a great option for a quick and easy spruce up,” says Vickie Lents of Amarr Garage Doors. “Steel doors can be custom painted to coordinate with the house color, and there’s a wide array of decorative accents such as faux ornamental wrought iron windows or decorative hardware that can be added to create a unique look without breaking the bank.

Think you have a flair for stylish garage doors? There’s a contest for you.

While you’re enjoying bountiful feasts during the upcoming holidays, take time to turn over your napkin (but please don’t use your aunt’s heirloom cloth napkins) and sketch out your best idea for a winning garage door design. Your design could be selected by Amarr Garage Doors, which is seeking ideas for the next generation of garage doors through its Great Garage Door Design Competition, which runs through Dec. 31, 2010.

Designs from architects, draftsmen, graphic artists and other professionals are welcomed, but you don’t have to be a pro to enter the contest. More information and contest rules are available at www.amarr.com/content/doordesign.html.