If
you’re like most people, you’ve been spending a lot of time indoors lately.
Unfortunately, there are several more months of winter to get through before we
start seeing signs of spring.
Before
you throw your hands up in despair, why not break the boredom by working on
your house? After all, you’re stuck inside anyway, and you’re probably
searching for something to do that doesn’t involve watching bad reality TV.
Plus, some home improvement projects will increase your property value, save
money on your utility bills, and potentially prevent larger, more expensive
issues from developing.
Here
are some easy winter projects you might want to tackle before spring hits.
1.
Repaint
You’ve
been staring at your neutral colored walls every day for months. Want to
brighten your mood? Try repainting! Go with a bright, cheery color to liven
things up but don't go too crazy especially if you are considering selling
soon.
I
always repaint in the winter because that’s when I need the most visual stimulation.
A new coat of paint can dramatically lift your mood and the mood of the entire
room.
Make
sure you crack open the windows to let in fresh air while you’re painting. Or,
consider going with an eco-friendly, low-VOC paint so you don’t have to worry about
breathing in toxic fumes.
2.
Work on your floors
Is
your carpet threadbare? Are your hardwood floors freezing your feet?
Putting
in carpet is a great winter project because it can increase the comfort of your
home dramatically.
Whether
you do it yourself or have it installed, make sure you open windows to allow
those toxic fumes to escape. You can also ask your carpet retailer to air out
the carpet several days before they install it in your home.
If
you don’t like carpeting, there are plenty of other home flooring ideas such as
tile and laminate that you could also consider.
3.
De-clutter
When spring gets here, you’re not going to
want to spend your time sifting through those piles of junk in your basement.
You’ll want to be outside, enjoying the fresh air.
Winter
is a great time to work on getting organized. Devote some time every week to
de-cluttering in general and organizing what you decide to keep.
Tip:
Don’t try to tackle the entire house at once. Do this and you’ll find yourself
with a broken spirit, huddled on the couch looking for the remote. Start small,
and go slow. Focus on one shelf, or one corner, and work until you’ve got that
space looking exactly how you want. This way you’ll be able to see the progress
you’re making.
4.
Look at your bathroom
Is your grout gunky with unsightly mildew? Is
your sink hopelessly outdated? Are you over the pale green paint you put on the
walls three years ago?
Bathrooms
make great winter projects because once they’re done, you can appreciate your
handiwork every single day. And, there are plenty of ways to frugally remodel
your bathroom.
Updates
like replacing a faucet, re-grouting tile, or repainting are relatively easy
for the do-it-yourselfer. But if you get more ambitious (like, you want to
replace the tile floor or buy a new toilet) you might want to call in
professional help. Your sanity will thank you.
5.
Add insulation
Okay,
so adding insulation doesn’t exactly make your heart pound with excitement. But
it will lower your utility bills, and help make your home more comfortable and
eco-friendly.
Crawl
up into your attic. If you can see the floor joists, then you need more
insulation. Since heat rises, you could save quite a bit by adding another
layer of insulation up there.
You
can also add insulation in your basement and in crawlspaces to prevent heat
loss there as well.
Final
Word
It’s
easy to get cabin fever this time of year. We’re all going through it. But
working on home projects is a great way to keep yourself active, add value to
your home, and beautify or improve your living space. It’s a win-win!