Fall and winter are some of the most stunning times of year in Lake Geneva, with the colorful autumn leaves followed by blankets of fresh, sparkling snow. Naturally, homeowners want to ensure their properties look just as gorgeous as their surroundings, but the seasonal weather can present some obstacles.
Since decorating your home for the fall and winter months can be challenging, we asked local landscaping experts for some tips that you can adapt to suit your property’s aesthetic.
- Choose plants that maintain their beauty year-round. Evergreens, firs, and similar greenery will ensure that your property always looks vibrant, even in the dead of winter.
- Go big with your light fixtures. Larger lights will better showcase the beauty of your house as well as improve its safety and security.
- Install an eye-catching protective awning over your door, windows, or porch areas. It’s an easy way to change up the look of your home for different seasons or whenever you want a fresh look for your property.
- Install new shutters and make sure they are in proper proportion (they should be large enough so it appears that they can close over the window. Often shutters are too small, making the entire home appear to be off-kilter!). You can also get creative with the shutter hardware to add additional interest or change the color to give your home a quick makeover.
- Install lighting that highlights the focal points of your home and will not be hidden by fallen leaves or snow. Choose energy-efficient options such as solar-powered lights meant for the outdoors, and hang them at the topmost points of your roof or along the eaves.
- Add easily updated outdoor décor so there is always something new to look at each season. For instance, acquire seasonal pots or planters that can hold chrysanthemums, cornstalks, or kale plants in the fall and red twig dogwoods or evergreen boughs in the winter. Select planters and pots that will survive winter weather if you plan to leave them outside. Metal, concrete, and wood are preferable to terracotta and ceramic, which can absorb moisture and then crack when it freezes during the winter months.
- Don’t forget about holiday lights! Some of the latest trends include programmable LED lights (these are becoming increasingly popular due to their energy efficiency) and light-up tree wraps. These decorations can be eye-catching and straightforward to maintain, making them great choices if you travel during the holidays.
- Ensure that your more permanent outdoor fixtures like benches, tables, chairs, or lounges can adapt to the weather or be easily moved indoors. Choose all-weather, fade-resistant fabrics for cushions and umbrellas and bring them inside at first frost or once the snow begins to fall.
- Consider what colors and styles will look good with the different backgrounds, from the crisp white snow and deep greens of winter to the golds, oranges, and reds of autumn. For guidance, ask the experts at your local nursery or hire a professional landscape installation artist. They will know what looks best, as well as what types of plants and trees are optimal for the local climate.
Knowing how to decorate the exterior of your home for the fall and winter months (including any holiday-specific décor or seasonal themes) can add value and make your property the jewel of your neighborhood. Your home is the backdrop for all your precious memories in Lake Geneva, so taking the time to make it beautiful is a worthwhile endeavor. It’s an investment in your family’s current and future happiness, so make it sparkle year-round!
