Winter may be chilly, but your home’s curb appeal can still be warm and inviting! ❄️
Small updates like fresh porch decor, modern house numbers, and cozy lighting can make a big difference. Whether you’re preparing to sell or just want to give your home a seasonal refresh, these simple tips go a long way.
1. Freshen Up Your Front Door
-
- Even just a fresh paint coat of the existing color can sometimes do the trick. Or consider giving your front door a new color. For a cohesive look, paint the door a shade darker or lighter than the home’s exterior color. For a bolder statement, use the color wheel, choosing a color the opposite of the home’s main color. For example, if the home is mostly brown, give the front door its complementary color—dark blue.
2. Add Winter-Friendly Plants to Your Porch
-
-
Incorporating evergreen plants and shrubs around your entryway can create a rich, green backdrop even as frosts settle in for the season. Consider potted plants like these to keep a pop of color on your porch in the winter:
- Boxwood
- Juniper
- Wintergreen
- Christmas rose
- Blue spruce
- Snowdrops
If the soil in your yard is still soft, you can plant some evergreens like boxwood or spruce to add some structure to your landscaping that will last you through the colder months.
-
3. Update Your House Numbers
-
- Swapping out address numbers takes less than an hour and only requires the new numbers, nails, and a hammer. Pick a style that complements your home’s architecture and match the finish to either the mailbox or your door hardware.
5. Upgrade Your Mailbox
-
- Replace an old or rusty mailbox with a fresh and clean one.
6. Swap Out Lighting
-
- If there’s room, add a hanging pendant or chandelier above the front door. Pick a fixture that’s about one-third or one-fourth the size of the front door (including the trim). Or, update the carriage lights beside the door. Boxed lanterns in a black or antique bronze finish are a nice touch.
7. Winter Landscaping
-
- There are many ways to liven up the front garden, walkways and window boxes. Cold weather plants can include winter flowers such as narcissi, snow drops, and hellebores. Don’t forget to upgrade the front porch planters as well. Hardy perennials and evergreen branches, as well as the afore-mentioned mini-white lights, can liven up any drab, grey day.
8. Stage Your Porch with Weather-Resistant Outdoor Furniture
-
- If you have a covered porch, stage a pair of chairs with colorful throw pillows, cozy blankets, and a textured outdoor rug to create a welcoming first impression.
9. Winterize Gutters
-
-
This will help prevent icicle formation. A hot lead can turn ice-cold the minute a potential buyer spots a row of pesky icicles dangling from your roof or gutters. No matter how “winter wonderland” the scene appears, it indicates that you haven’t prepared your gutters for the winter. Safely knock down icicles with a telescopic roof rake. You’ll also want to clean your gutters periodically to prevent ice dams from forming and damaging your exterior features.
-
10. If Applicable, Clear Away Snow
-
- Potential home buyers who see an un-shoveled walkway will immediately visualize themselves in-charge of the back-breaking task. They also may feel suspicious of the hardscape’s condition if they can’t see it for themselves. Clear your walkways and driveways to prevent these negative thoughts upon arrival. Stock up on extra ice melt to keep your driveway and walkways clear and safe.
