First impressions count, and a letterbox is an easy way to make a statement. There are dozens of designs on the market, from simple aluminium boxes to whiz-bang designs that are almost works of art.

Here's our pick of some of the best:

TomTom- made of powdercoated Zincalume (a super-premium rustproof steel product), with optional FSC-certified timber post. Available in Red (pictured), Yellow, Orange, Light Grey or Duck Egg Blue. Has a padlock fitting.$330, with 1.2m post, $120, Design By Them.

Sandleford "Deauville" - mount it on a wall or fence. Plastic. Has a key lock. $39.97, Bunnings. Florida - built of marine-grade plywood, this one is available in either a right- or left-side mount. Lockable? No. $113.42; shown with VPS post in Karaka, $65.46, both plus shipping, Mailboxes.co.nz.

Mrs Kelly - a sleek, modern beauty made of marine-grade stainless steel. Has key lock.$430, Robert Plumb. Milkcan Letterbox Co. "Wave" - Melbourne company Milkcan (Milkcan.com.au) makes a range of modern and traditional styles. This one has "mail" decals and a newspaper holder. Has key lock. $130, Bunnings.

Woody "Todd" - wide, deep and handsome, it's handcrafted in Australia from New Guinea rosewood. Has key lock. Cadrona - this Zincalume box is large enough to handle your monthly real living subscription. Available in 9 colours. Lockable? With a padlock. $130.88, shown with VPS post in Red, $65.46, both plus shipping, Mailboxes.co.nz $750, Robert Plumb.

Milkcan Letterbox Co. "Crest" - it looks like a little house with its cute silver slanting corrugated roof. Available in Black (pictured), Stone or Lite Cream. The theft-resistant post "snaps" easily onto the box. Lock with a padlock. $119, Bunnings.

Australia Post preferred mailbox sizes

The minimum internal dimensions of a mail box should be: 330mm long, 230mm wide and 160mm high.
The aperture should be at least 230 x 30mm and 130mm above the base of the box.
Single boxes should be erected so that the aperture is between 0.9m and 1.2m above the ground.
Nests of boxes should be no more that 5 boxes high and erected so that the aperture of the lowest box is at least 0.5m above the ground and the highest is no more than 1.5m high.
Single boxes should ahve the street number prominently displayed on or near the box.

For nests of boxes the number should be displayed prominently near the boxes and the shop/unit/apartment/room number shown on the box.
In multi-storey buildings it may be necessary to provide in the building plans for a mail room or mail locker for use by the delivery officer.

See the March 2011 issue of real living for more cool letterbox ideas.