9 Ways to Boost Winter Curb Appeal
No blossoms and a barren yard? You can still make your home attractive and inviting from the street
Laura Gaskill
December 2, 2021
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
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. That’s why I’ve rounded up nine elements to add to boost curb appeal even when there is snow on the ground and not a flower in sight.
1. Red Trim or a Red Door
When snow is covering the rooftops and walkways, nothing stands out quite like a bright, clear red. Paint your trim, front door or both in this bold hue, and your home will instantly stand out in a sea of bare trees and white drifts.
When to Paint Your Door Bright Red
When snow is covering the rooftops and walkways, nothing stands out quite like a bright, clear red. Paint your trim, front door or both in this bold hue, and your home will instantly stand out in a sea of bare trees and white drifts.
When to Paint Your Door Bright Red
2. Standout Mailbox
The old-fashioned post mailbox gets a modern update here with sleek lines and a bright red hue. Attaching your house numbers right to the mailbox will make them easy to locate and add graphic punch.
Find a pro near you
The old-fashioned post mailbox gets a modern update here with sleek lines and a bright red hue. Attaching your house numbers right to the mailbox will make them easy to locate and add graphic punch.
Find a pro near you
3. Shiny Garden Ornaments
Your greenery may die back in the winter months, but garden ornaments will shine on. Choose something with a bit of gleam, like the silver orbs shown here, for maximum impact.
Your greenery may die back in the winter months, but garden ornaments will shine on. Choose something with a bit of gleam, like the silver orbs shown here, for maximum impact.
4. Extra-Large House Numbers
Numbers that are 6 inches high or higher make a big statement, and they work especially well on facades with little other ornamentation. If the numbers are placed away from the main lighting, consider installing a downlight over them.
Shop for house numbers on Houzz
Numbers that are 6 inches high or higher make a big statement, and they work especially well on facades with little other ornamentation. If the numbers are placed away from the main lighting, consider installing a downlight over them.
Shop for house numbers on Houzz
5. Outdoor Christmas Tree
While you’re picking up your Christmas tree, consider also grabbing a tree for outside — it would look adorable on the front porch with a simple burlap skirt and a strand or two of twinkle lights.
While you’re picking up your Christmas tree, consider also grabbing a tree for outside — it would look adorable on the front porch with a simple burlap skirt and a strand or two of twinkle lights.
6. Neatly Trimmed Greenery
Hedges that stay green through the winter are a godsend in cold climates — they can lend your home some much-needed freshness when everything else has withered. Even if you don’t have bushes planted in the ground, you can still add big pots of boxwood or other evergreens for a dose of green on your porch or front steps. Crisply trimmed shapes look especially polished.
Hedges that stay green through the winter are a godsend in cold climates — they can lend your home some much-needed freshness when everything else has withered. Even if you don’t have bushes planted in the ground, you can still add big pots of boxwood or other evergreens for a dose of green on your porch or front steps. Crisply trimmed shapes look especially polished.
7. Lantern Post
Reminiscent of old inns, a hanging lantern on a post is as charming as can be. If you don’t want to bother with having it wired, just use a battery-operated outdoor-rated candle inside.
Reminiscent of old inns, a hanging lantern on a post is as charming as can be. If you don’t want to bother with having it wired, just use a battery-operated outdoor-rated candle inside.
8. Statue Atop a Wall
Have a wall or ledge on your property? Use it as a perch for a tasteful statue. And if you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, your sculpture can do double duty as a marker to let the snowplows know where your fence line is. You could even adorn it with a wreath or strand of bells for a festive touch.
Have a wall or ledge on your property? Use it as a perch for a tasteful statue. And if you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, your sculpture can do double duty as a marker to let the snowplows know where your fence line is. You could even adorn it with a wreath or strand of bells for a festive touch.
9. Driveway Lighting
If your home is set back from the street, seeing it in the evening may be a challenge without a little extra help. Add a few driveway lights — on the ground level if you get no snow or up higher on posts if you do — to remedy the problem. Welcoming lights leading the way to your door will beckon warmly from the road, showing visitors the way.
Tell us: How do you spice up your home’s curb appeal in winter?
More on Houzz
Read more stories about porches
Browse thousands of porch photos
Work with a landscape designer
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If your home is set back from the street, seeing it in the evening may be a challenge without a little extra help. Add a few driveway lights — on the ground level if you get no snow or up higher on posts if you do — to remedy the problem. Welcoming lights leading the way to your door will beckon warmly from the road, showing visitors the way.
Tell us: How do you spice up your home’s curb appeal in winter?
More on Houzz
Read more stories about porches
Browse thousands of porch photos
Work with a landscape designer
Shop for your outdoor spaces
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Last year’s non-denominational “curb appeal” with gold stars is being repeated this year with white stars and silver balls. Super easy, can be seen for a mile away because of size, and creates a nice talking point. Also, because it’s inside, weather and animals don’t affect it.
Happy Holidays everyone!!
Love the lighting ideas and the idea of having an outdoor Christmas tree is interesting. Also, love the garden ornaments idea, that's certainly unique too. Great article!