Tips for Creating Winter Curb Appeal

During summer months when gardens are in bloom and the sun is shining bright, curb appeal comes naturally to many homes. But when the autumn chill turns to winter cold and the sun sets earlier in the day, it becomes more difficult to create that inviting exterior look that grabs buyers from the curb.

It is possible to create striking winter curb appeal without expensive or complicated exterior changes.

Add splashes of color.

Make the front door the focal point with a large wreath adorned with a colorful ribbon. To finish the look, place large colorful planters filled with evergreens beside the front door.

Give it seasonal sparkle.

Transform an unused birdbath or fountain into a seasonal display by adding twigs with red berries. Fill frost-resistant urns with twigs, winter greenery and sparkley baubles.

Light it up.

During the winter, it's more likely that buyers will be viewing homes after sunset. Use clear flood spotlights to focus on the home's architectural features. Keep exterior lighting fixtures at maximum wattage and clean them regularly.

Show off the lifestyle.

Just because it's cold outside doesn't mean you can't use the deck. Shovel your backyard sitting area and leave your grill uncovered so buyers can envision themselves using the space. If the home has a hot tub, leave that open and running during showings as well.

Make the deck an extension of the house.

Set up your outdoor tables and chairs just as you would in warmer months. Homeowners often cover their furniture and place lawn objects haphazardly on the deck. Uncover them and for added appeal, add a weatherproof cafe set with pillows that play off interior accent colors. Glancing out onto this type of vignette can make the indoor space feel larger and more interesting.

Create a photo display of sunnier days.

Show buyers what the outside of the home looks like during other seasons by displaying some landscape photos in frames or using a digital photo frame with a slide show of images. This will give a sense of what the property looks like at other times of the year. If the home has a garden, make a list of what's planted where. Perennials can be expensive, so treat them as a selling feature.

Don't forget to clear a path.

If the ground is covered in snow, the simplest and most important thing you can do is shovel the driveway and sidewalks and keep the home's patio's and decks as clear as possible so buyers can get a sense of their true size.