From sledding to snowball fights and watching movies by the fireplace with a hot drink in hand, winter is a comforting and well-loved season. Despite all its charm, this time of year tends to have a dreary effect, which can create staging challenges when it comes time to sell your home. Here are some simple winter home staging tips that we love to ensure your home looks anything but drab!

Why staging is so important

You may be asking yourself, do I need to stage my home for it to sell? Although the decision is ultimately up to you, good winter home staging helps present your house in the most favorable light, allows buyers to envision living in the space, often sells your home more quickly, and tends to lead to higher sale prices. In fact, according to a National Association of Realtors’ 2021 report, 41% of buyer’s agents surveyed reported that staging a home before sale increased offer prices anywhere from 1-10%, compared to similar unstaged homes on the market.

Clear walkways and your yard

An unshoveled walkway not only reduces the visual appeal of your home but also makes it more difficult for people to reach your front door. The last thing you want to do is obstruct a potential buyer from attending an open house because of something blocking their way! To ensure your home looks inviting, keep the path leading to your front door cleared of snow and other debris. 

When it comes to your yard, try to focus on cleaning up unsightly branches and piles of dead leaves or mud wherever you can. Although you may not be able to showcase your yard’s lush grass and garden in the winter, you can keep it tidy despite the snowfall. Finally, don’t forget to clean your gutters!

Focus on your front door

First impressions are everything, especially in real estate. Your home’s winter curb appeal is that first impression that determines whether or not a buyer will venture inside. 

To draw the eye toward your home’s entrance and create curb appeal, line your pathway with outdoor winter decor like small electric lanterns; they provide light during the darker winter months and create an enticing visual. Consider also making your front door a focal point during the winter season. You can do so by hanging a cranberry or pinecone wreath and adding a durable and festive doormat for guests to wipe their feet on before entering. 

Lighting, lighting, lighting

Your home’s lighting makes a huge difference, especially during the winter. Opt for warm rather than harsh fluorescent lighting to create a cozy feel inside your home. The more light the better during the wintertime since the days are shorter. You don’t want your home to feel dark and dingy. 

If your house features a fireplace (either electric or wood-burning) light a fire and make that homey touch the focal point of the room. This will not only keep the house warm and well-lit for visiting buyers but also contribute to a welcoming and cheerful atmosphere.

Entice the senses

Burning candles tend to be something to avoid in real estate since some buyers are sensitive to artificial scents or could think you are masking an unsavory odor. Candles can also pose a fire hazard. 

However, this does not mean you should refrain from appealing to your visitors’ senses altogether. To do so in a more natural way, think about incorporating aromas from nature into your home like pine or lavender by bringing in cuttings to display in vases as winter decor. Another idea is to place subtle-scented reed diffusers in your home’s bathrooms.

Avoid holiday-specific decor

You never want to unintentionally alienate people or make them feel excluded. In order to prevent this mishap, steer away from holiday-specific decor during the winter months and lean more toward seasonal winter decor elements. For example, Santa decorations may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Add practical touches and remove clutter

Winter gear like dirty boots and wet hats or gloves can be unsightly when left out near the front door. Plan to store those personal items away during open houses. However, to accommodate potential buyers on snowy days, position a coat rack near the front door and put down a rubber mat for people’s wet shoes. This small touch will show courtesy and hospitality to your guests.

Switch up your color scheme

Winter is actually a good season for selling despite being stark and monochromatic, so adding some color and texture back into your home is a welcome solution. Winter decor ideas can look like switching up the throw pillows on your couch, adding a knitted blanket here and there, or placing winter-appropriate flowers like crocus, holly, winterberry, snowdrop, or poinsettias around the home. Try to stick to a jewel-tone color scheme with your winter decor and plants that fit the season such as emerald green, burgundy, mustard yellow, deep purple, or dark blue.

Beautiful winter staging doesn’t require a lot of money and can be done at basically any budget. All you have to do is think creatively about what items you already have and incorporate winter decor elements from nature wherever you can.

Update your listing photos

Once you’ve applied these easy staging tips, don’t forget to showcase your work by taking new listing photos! Buyers will appreciate seeing how your home can evolve and adjust as the seasons change. 

Appearances go a long way when selling your home. Since it is one of the biggest transactions you will ever make, the process can be daunting. For more information on ways to prepare your home for sale in order to get the best possible price, check out our Guide to a Successful Home Sale! 

Another step you can take to prepare to sell your home is to get in touch with a real estate expert. Contact The Keri Shull Team today and let our expert agents help get you the best possible price for your home!