Selling a house in winter isn’t a bad idea. In fact, many times it’s quite the opposite. Fewer “curious” visitors, more serious buyers… but here’s the catch: winter doesn’t forgive flaws. What goes unnoticed in summer becomes obvious in December.

The good news: you don’t need to renovate the whole house.
The bad news: some upgrades cost money… and you won’t recover a single euro.

Here’s what small improvements really make a difference in winter (and why), and which ones are simply not worth touching—no matter how many people recommend them.

Small renovations that ARE worth it (especially in winter)

1. Sealing windows and doors: the invisible fix that sells the most

You can’t see it, you can’t show it off… but you definitely feel it when you walk in.

In winter, buyers do something very simple: they stop moving. And if they feel cold, drafts or hear outside noise, their mind disconnects.

What to do:

• Replace window and door weatherstripping
• Adjust loose or misaligned frames
• Seal small gaps with neutral silicone

Important fact: many buyers don’t know how to explain what bothers them. They simply say, “I don’t know… it just doesn’t feel right.”
The problem was the cold air around their ankles.

Low cost, huge impact.

2. Painting only strategic walls (not the whole house)

Painting everything isn’t always worth it. Painting smart, yes.

In winter, natural light is weaker and dirty tones look worse.

Where you should paint:

• Living room (main wall)
• Entrance
• Long corridors or areas with low light

Colours that work well in winter:

• Off-white
• Light beige
• Very soft warm grey

Avoid “surgical white”: winter light makes it look cold and lifeless.

3. Improving lighting (don’t change lamps, change the mood)

This is key — and almost nobody does it right.

In winter:

• It gets dark earlier
• There’s less daylight
• Most visits happen in the afternoon

What’s worth upgrading:

• Warm LED bulbs (3000K — NOT cold white)
• More indirect light sources (floor or table lamps)
• Make sure all bulbs work

Little-known trick: a well-lit home feels bigger and warmer, even with the same square meters.

4. Checking heating and AC (no need to replace them)

You don’t need a new system — you just need to show it works.

Before a visit:

• Clean filters
• Turn it on 30–40 minutes before
• Make sure there are no strange noises

5. Small fixes that communicate "well-maintained home"

Not really renovations, but they influence the final decision.

• Yellowed switches → replace
• Dripping taps → fix
• Creaky doors → oil
• Stuck blinds → adjust

Renovations NOT worth doing before selling (especially in winter)

1. “Half” renovations in the kitchen or bathroom

This is the classic mistake.

Changing just the furniture, or just the tiles, or just the floor:

• Doesn’t increase value
• Rarely matches the buyer’s taste
• Looks temporary

If you can’t renovate fully, better keep it clean, tidy and well presented.

2. Replacing all windows “because it’s winter”

It’s expensive and you won’t always recover it.

If the windows:

• Close properly
• Aren’t damaged
• Don’t have serious condensation

Better option: seal, adjust and clean.

Many buyers prefer negotiating and choosing the windows themselves.

3. Highly personal décor renovations

Painting a dark green wall, adding bold wallpaper, or changing floors based on personal taste usually works against you.

In winter, strong colours look even darker and make rooms feel smaller.

4. Spending money “because the neighbour did it”

Every home, every season and every buyer is different.

What worked in summer, or in another property, might not work now.

What truly sells a house in winter (and nobody tells you)

It’s not the marble.
It’s not the new kitchen.
It’s not the magazine bathroom.

It’s this:

• A feeling of comfort
• Warmth
• The buyer imagining living there in January

And that’s achieved with smart, small tweaks — not big, expensive upgrades.

Before spending any money, here’s an honest recommendation

Before renovating anything:

• Enter your home as if it’s your first time — in December
• Stand still for a minute
• Notice what bothers you

There’s your answer.