Our Favorite Wintry Curb Appeal Looks From HGTV Magazine

Whether you live up north or down south (or east or west), there's something magical about homes during the winter season. HGTV Magazine found the most inspiring exterior looks across the country, and we're sharing all the festive ideas to get you — and your house — in the holiday spirit.

When textile designer Betsy Olmsted and her husband, Peter, first toured this converted 1890 carriage house, they fell for the way it married farmhouse charm with a modern layout. In the winter, this nearly black exterior feels extra modern compared to its rustic surroundings.

Dotted with leafy oak trees, “the land captured my heart first, even before the house,” says designer Joanna Gaines. A metal roof and crisp white paint (Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams) complete the modern farmhouse look. Plenty of wreaths and two pairs of wood rockers bring the holiday charm.

DIY-enthusiast Sarah Hubbell created a cheery holiday vibe for her Arizona home with a mix of handmade and store-bought decor. The wreath was crafted with painted pinecones, and a trio of pillows makes for a very merry bench.

Christmas has a unique feeling in an old house. “Every year when we decorate, I think about how many families have celebrated in our home — there’s so much history!” says Jess Milburn of her family's 1893 home in Illinois. She and her husband repainted the outside classic blue (Vermont Slate by Benjamin Moore) to go with the its historic roots. In the winter, traditional garland and red bows and lanterns add to the timeless appeal.

This South Carolina beauty exudes Southern charm with its creamy white siding, sunroom, expansive front porch and balcony. Classic garland, a pair of wreaths and two potted evergreens at the start of the walkway round out the seasonal decor.

This 1960s ranch-style house in Atlanta, Georgia, looks so cozy nestled into the surrounding trees. A pair of potted arborvitae flank the front door to bring a lively touch of green to the porch all winter long.

Located in a historic district, this Chicago-area home was painted in seven different exterior colors by its previous owner. “She did taupes, pink, teal and purples,” says homeowner Nicole Balch. With the winter snow, bright white is added to the palette for even more charm. “It’s like this storybook house I was always meant to own,” she says.

When Luke Caldwell of Boise Boys took on a riverfront teardown project, he couldn’t have imagined how all the hard work would pay off. “By the end of the project, I was thinking that instead of selling it, my family should move in,” says Luke. To warm up the contemporary exterior, Luke played with different textures; there’s ceramic tile, wood and metal — and an evergreen wreath, of course.

Bold holiday decorating ideas abound in this 1900s home in Cambridge, Massachusetts — starting with the exterior. Wreaths hung with bright blue ribbon in all nine of the front-facing windows punch up the colors on the exterior, while swags of garland greet guests on the front steps.

Playful punches of pinks, oranges, turquoise and yellow bring the cheer just as much as traditional red and green in this quirky Oregon home. The blue-gray exterior reflects the same merry and bright vibes thanks to the lemon-yellow front door, multicolored doormat and a mix of planters with mini evergreen trees.

There may not be snow in the forecast for St. Augustine, Florida, but this enchanting cottage still embraces the holiday spirit. Traditional picks, like a lush wreath and string lights, look festive no matter what the temperature is, but the oversized hanging stars make this exterior magical.

Designer Sarah Richardson totally transformed an old farmhouse outside Toronto into a cozy retreat for her family. This scenic, 50-acre haven looks even more picturesque blanketed in snow.