Five Tips to Improve Winter Curb Appeal

Many homeowners use landscaping, potted flowers, window boxes and a well-manicured lawn to enhance their home’s curb appeal. But when temperatures drop below freezing, our homes (at least the outsides) in winter can look a little sad once the trees have lost their leaves. It can be especially challenging this time of year because some of the usual curb appeal tips don’t apply. 

A little creativity can go a long way and make a substantial difference in your home’s appearance in the winter months, whether you are trying to sell or just trying to look warm and inviting for guests. Here are my five top tips to enhance winter curb appeal, even when there’s snow on the ground and not a flower in sight.

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ADD A POP OF BOLD COLOUR

When snow is covering the rooftops, or it’s just generally overcast and gloomy, nothing stands out quite like a bright red. Paint your trim, front door (or both) and your home will instantly stand out in a sea of bare trees and grey gloom. Take it a step further and give your mailbox a modern update by using the same bright red hue. Add your house number directly onto your now red mailbox for added punch and make your home easy to locate –  which is especially important as the days get shorter.

CLEAR AND MAINTAIN YOUR DRIVEWAY

One of the most basic tasks that potential homebuyers will be checking for is the maintenance of your driveway, especially if you’re on higher elevation or have steep grades. This is important for both aesthetics and safety. Applying a coat of sealant to concrete is a great hack for keeping dirt and oil soaking into the surface. Make sure you dedicate time to regularly blow/rake leaves and shovel your driveway once the snow arrives. You could also consider installing a driveway heating system to keep your driveway snow free and ice protected.

SHINE THROUGH THE SNOW

Because these winter days are short, chances are great that a showing will take place in the dark. Once you’ve cleared your pathways, light them up with lights that are sturdy enough to survive the winter. If you live in an area with heavy snowfall, opt for lights with tall posts, so they don’t get buried under the snow. Add lanterns to your porch to bring your winter curb appeal to life in dreamy evening listing photos. A well-lit home is essential for impressing buyers who drive by your property at night.

When selecting lanterns, choose weather-resistant products with stone or metal frames. Delicate lanterns with exposed glass and ceramic may crack when exposed to drastic temperature changes and snowfall.

LANDSCAPE WITH WINTER HARDY PLANTS

Tulips and peonies won’t thrive in winter, so don’t bother filling your planters with them in fall. But that doesn’t mean you should settle for a grey, barren landscape outside your front door. Potted plants can brighten your space and keep the colour coming all winter long. Mums are a great transition plant for adding a bright touch from late summer to early winter. Evergreen trees or plants that can stand up to the cold weather such as pansies or witch hazel can also liven up a drab landscape.

GO EASY ON FESTIVE/HOLIDAY DECOR

Adding a little cheer with holiday decorations can help attract buyers. Just ensure that your holiday decorations are tasteful (no lasers or projectors, please!) and avoid religious imagery. As with any staging principle, you want to make your home universally appealing so that your potential buyer can envision themselves living here.

Think elegant simplicity.

Nothing is simpler than hanging a festive wreath on your – newly painted –  front door. You will find a wealth of options at your local garden centers and even more varieties online. Bring the beauty and fresh scent of evergreens to the front hall by filling a planter with cut boughs and pine cones. Add a simple string of white lights around exterior features (roof lines, windows, columns, or railings) to provide a welcoming, magical glow.

A buyer’s first impression of a home takes place as soon as they drive up the street. Spending some time to enhance winter curb appeal in the cold, dark, and drab months of the year is crucial to making the right lasting impression.

For this reason, it is imperative that close attention be paid to the outside of the home and the property. This does not alter with the seasons; enhancing winter curb appeal is all about embracing what the cold weather has to offer.