Do it yourself projects too good to pass up this Winter.
Looking for fun, fast DIY projects you can do this Winter that will add value to your home without costing you a holiday fortune? We’ve gathered a short, simple list of projects that will save you money, increase your home’s value, or just bring comfort and joy while you’re trapped indoors this Winter.
Install a programmable thermostat.
We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again: Programmable Thermostats are the easiest way to save money on heating (and cooling) costs. Modern thermostats are easy to install, save money when your house is empty, keep it comfortable when you’re there, and even connect to WiFi to provide alerts when things aren’t operating as they should be. Take the thirty minutes necessary to install a programmable thermostat now, and you’ll reap the rewards 24/7.
Paint an accent wall in one of your common rooms.
The average person spends much more time indoors during the Winter than any other season. This contributes to Seasonal Affective Disorder, General Anxiety, and a need to do something other than sit around and stare at the walls (okay, we might have made that last one up). Painting one wall with a splashy accent color can brighten a room, increase your “indoor curb appeal,” and even promote a better mood and state of being according to multiple mental health experts.
Weather Strip your windows and doors
Weather stripping is cheap, effective, and could cut back on up to 30% of your home’s typical heat loss. Whether you buy rolled stripping to line your edges or are able to seal your leaks with simple caulk, the entire process is fast and easy enough to handle without any prior experience. This is one of the easiest ways to keep heat from leaving your home this winter, and will also trap that valuable air-conditioned cold air during the Summer!
Removing clutter from basements and attics
Winter is the perfect time to go through your in-home storage and clean out items you don’t need or want any longer. Decluttering now allows you to make space for any redesigning you wanted to do of your home’s layout this Winter, and is a great opportunity to use resale apps like Facebook Marketplace or LetGo to get cash for items that are just taking up space in your home. Whether you use that cash for holiday shopping or to pay for an accent wall in your living room (see above) is totally up to you, but you’ll feel better getting this little bit of Spring Cleaning out of the way early.
Upgrade your bathroom
Whether you’ve been planning on resealing your bath, laying a new floor, or upgrading that bathroom fan to a stronger version with Bluetooth speakers, Winter is the perfect season to knockout those bathroom updates and increase your home’s value a little bit. Whether you like it or not, you’re going to spend time in your bathroom every day this Winter. Given your upcoming commitment, why not make it a comfortable space? Take the time now to make it more visually appealing, more watertight, and, if you feel so inclined, a place to enjoy a little Rock n’ Roll while you sing in the shower. Don’t be embarrassed, you deserve this!
Give your kitchen a little love
It’s amazing how much you can transform your kitchen in just one weekend. Kitchens don’t have to be long, tedious upgrades in order to have an impact (both on their aesthetic and on your home’s value). By spending just a little time in your kitchen you can turn it into an entirely new room, and without breaking the budget either!
Consider adding a backsplash to your kitchen walls to give it an immediate change in brightness, to modernize its overall appearance, or to highlight colors and themes that are already present.
Alternatively (or additionally!) consider sanding down your cabinets and refinishing them, staining or painting them to make them look brand new.
Lastly, if you’re willing to spend a little more money, consider upgrading your kitchen’s appliances. Modern appliances are an immediate boost to your home’s appeal, and saving the receipts (and extended warrantees) is a great way to add value if you’re planning on selling in the next few years.
