Brisk fall days may seem like an ideal time to curl up on the couch and binge watch your favorite TV shows. But, if you’re looking for something to do other than wait for spring, there are many small home improvement projects that could make a big difference in your home’s interior- especially since you’re probably stuck indoors for a few months.
Smaller winter home improvement projects can be done while you burn off some of your unused vacation time, or a great time to hire a contractor looking to fill out his schedule and make his end-of-year goals.
8 Winter Home Improvement Projects Less Than $500
The Perks of Painting
- Painting your walls is a relatively cheap way to make a noticeable difference in your home. With the cold outside, some bright new paint could be a huge mood lifter since you’ll be staring at it until April. Think of spaces you usually don’t pay much attention to, like your bathroom or basement. Adding an accent wall also adds a touch of personality to the room and is as easy as buying new wallpaper. There are wallpaper products on the market easy to install (and remove if you don’t like the final results!)
- Don’t limit your refresh just to your walls! Now is a great time to cross off some more decorative painting plans. If you have an old dresser or dining room chairs that look like they’ve seen some hard times, give them new life and a new color. At around $30 a gallon, this is a DIY project and could actually end up being pretty fun. Grab a friend and make a day of it.
Start your Cleaning Resolution Early
- As soon as the weather is nice, you’re not going to want to waste time organizing your drawers, so why not do it now? Start with small projects, like your kitchen drawers. Buying drawer organizers will make life much easier when it comes to making space for all of your things, and we all know everyone has that one drawer that’s just a jumble of stuff. Focusing on one area of the house at a time will help you to see the difference you’re making and not get too overwhelmed. If something doesn’t have a place, find one for it, and it never hurts to throw out certain things you know you’ll never use. Go through your closet and really evaluate what you wear and what you don’t and make room for new clothes. Also consider donating the things you get rid of; the holidays are a perfect time to help someone in need. Find out more decluttering tips for your home.
Keep the Heat
- Insulating your home doesn’t exactly sound like a fun activity you’ve been dying to do, but it could actually trim down your heating bill this season. Reinsulating your attic is the most efficient way to keep the heat in your home without touching the thermostat. Since heat rises, you’re probably losing the most heat in your attic if your insulation is worn out. Depending on the type of insulation you choose, you may need a professional to install it for you, or if you’re handy, there are plenty of tips and tricks to do it yourself. The positive effects of upgrading your insulation aren’t just limited to the attic; new insulation helps to maintain the temperature of your house in all rooms. This project generally costs around $400 and will pay for itself for years to come.
- Other areas of major heat loss are doors and windows. Caulking and resealing gaps can pay dividends. Looking for heat escape is as easy as doing a home energy audit. You can conduct one yourself or hire a professional to do so.
- Install a programmable thermostat. There are several on the market and are easy to use and install. It’s a great time way to battle the ups and downs of a Mid-Atlantic winter and keep the temperature inside your home more consistent. Some companies such as Pepco offer Smart Thermostat Savings rewards. That can further reduce the cost of purchasing the thermostat.
Home Décor Update
- New door knobs or cabinet handles can really make a big impact for a small amount of money. In fact, you can find door and cabinet hardware available from home improvement retailers to specialty decorating shops. The prices run the gamut but you can create an instant impact with a swap-out of broken and outdated versions.
- With long summer days you might not have noticed your indoor and outdoor lighting that has burned out. Now is a great time to check those exterior lights and replace before it gets difficult to see when you get home from work. Consider swapping out interior bulbs to LED versions which use 75 percent less energy and last longer.
Focus Your Energy on Indoor Home Projects
By focusing your time and energy into little projects this season, your home will be guest-ready come spring. Get the indoor projects over with now so you can spend your time outdoors until the next winter rolls around. Our Thompson Creek professionals can help cross off your winter project list. From replacement windows and doors to gutter replacement and siding, Thompson Creek has the experts to help you maintain your biggest investment all year long.