Now is the perfect time to give your home’s exterior a fresh start in the New Year. Winter weather with its fierce wind storms, heavy rains, and unpredictable snowfalls can make home maintenance in Vancouver challenging. But it’s important to keep your home looking its best especially during the winter months – and a few decorative touches to boost your curb appeal doesn’t hurt!
Give Your House a Bath
If you didn’t get a chance to clean your home’s exterior during the fall, take the opportunity on a cloudy or nice winter’s day. Particularly if it hasn’t been done in a while, washing the siding or cleaning the gutters can remove debris and grime buildup that insects, birds, and little critters find appealing when looking for a place to stay warm.
Accumulated dirt and grime can trap moisture, encouraging mold/mildew growth (which really isn’t good for curb appeal). It can also etch itself into window panes, siding panels, and gutters, wearing away protective finishes that repel moisture and let in air through compromised glass and/or window trim.
Make the Most of Your Windows
Energy efficiency: Keep the windows sparkling both inside and out. Dirt and grime block out natural light and reduce the amount of heat that comes through a window on a sunny day. Using natural light and the warmth of the sun to light and heat a room is eco-friendly.
Pro cleaning: If you don’t have the time or have other priority home maintenance tasks, schedule a window cleaning with a professional contractor. Depending on the company you hire, in addition to thoroughly cleaning the windows in record time, they will use the right techniques and cleaning solutions, clean the frames, and inspect for damage.
Paint the trim: Touch up the trim in worn places or paint it a new colour to give your home’s exterior a fresh start in the new year.
Add decorative accents: Draw attention to your windows with decorative accents such as shutters, window boxes, stained glass panes, and muntins. Add window film to windows – it will improve energy-efficiency, increase privacy, and be an inexpensive way to boost curb appeal.
Illuminate Your Home’s Exterior
Lighting your home exterior boosts curb appeal, improves the overall appearance of the front of your house, and adds an extra layer of security to your property.
New sconces: Give your entry door a new outlook in the New Year by replacing old sconces with ones that shine more light, use energy-efficient bulbs, and reflect the homeowner’s style and personality.
Soffit lights: Designed to fit into the eaves of a house, a garage overhang, or a porch ceiling, soffit lighting enhances visibility and the security of your home.
Step lighting: Increase the safety factor for your family and visitors climbing the stairs to the front door by installing sidelights, downlights, lanterns, or strip lights.
New Year Home Improvement Projects
If you are planning one or several home improvement projects in 2026, choose eco-friendly materials such as cement fiber siding, slate roofing shingles, or copper gutters. Popular home exterior improvements in the New Year include:
- New siding
- New roof
- Gutters
- Different exterior paint colour
- Updated entry and/or garage doors with added security
- Outdoor lighting upgrades
- Window replacement
- Landscaping plan
When improving your landscaping plan consider replacing the front lawn with native grasses, low-maintenance shrubs, and perennials instead of annuals.
