Some household projects require nice weather outside. Nobody wants to replace their windows during the cold, rainy winter season. But there are plenty of winter home projects to keep you busy until spring rolls around again. 

If you're looking for a place to call home or are ready to sell, reach out to Julia Monaghan Real Estate today. In a fast-paced housing market, we're happy to guide you at whatever speed is right for you. Contact us today to get started. 

Which Winter Home Projects Should You Tackle?

If you're like most homeowners, you have a running list of projects to complete someday. Well, perhaps it's time to change "someday" into "today." Crossing some of those jobs off your list can protect the value of your home and help you enjoy your space even more.

When deciding how to spend your time, energy, and money for winter home projects, you probably need to prioritize:

  1. Maintenance needs that can impact your safety or the home's integrity 
  2. Projects that add to the aesthetic appeal or increase your comfort.
There are plenty of winter home projects to spruce up your space.

The first category covers major systems and structures, such as your roof, windows, and furnace. Those are items you can't ignore once there is a problem.

The second category is much more fun and can offer a lot of bang for your buck. So let's look at those choices! Set aside your outdoor projects, such as landscaping and siding. We'll look at those when it warms up again. 

Here are six of my favorite indoor home projects to do during the less-than-sunny winter months.

1. Freshen the Color Scheme

If you spend your winter months gazing forlornly out the window, it's time for a visual pick-me-up. A new color scheme can do wonders for the winter blahs or when you are feeling a little stir crazy. 

It may be too cold and wet to paint the exterior of your home, but the weather is always perfect inside your house. In fact, winter weather might lead to an easier paint job and a better result. Paint often dries faster in the winter because the air is less humid when your furnace is running.

Painting your walls is one of the easiest winter home projects to tackle.

How do you choose a new paint color? There are several ways to go about picking your new hue.

  • Choose a variation of your current color scheme. If you love the color on your walls, consider a different shade to freshen things a bit.
  • Go bold and big. Do you feel like you need a significant change? Maybe it's time to put a bold color on one wall or in one room. Unless you're about to sell, do whatever you feel like trying. You can always re-paint if you don't like it!
  • Create a neutral palette. If you've had a lot of color on your walls, perhaps you'd like to go the other direction now. With so many fantastic paint options on the market, neutrals are far from boring. And they allow you to decorate with any accent colors you like. If you plan to sell your home any time soon, neutrals are the way to go.  

2. Upgrade Your Hardware

The cabinet pulls and doorknobs in your house absorb a lot of wear-and-tear. After years of use, they can look dingy and outdated.

Swapping out cabinet hardware can give your home a fresh look.

Winter is the perfect time to find and install new hardware on your home's cabinets and doors. There are countless options at your local hardware store and online, and you'll be amazed at how different your kitchen looks after this subtle change. 

You probably won't need more than a screwdriver to swap out your cabinet and drawer handles. Replacing door knobs can be a bit trickier, but with a quick YouTube video to watch, you can probably do it just fine.

3. Add a Splashy Backsplash

The backsplash is an excellent place to add a little style to your kitchen without doing a complete makeover. There are plenty of attractive options available to fit into any aesthetic, including:

  • Glass Tiles
  • Mosaic Tiles
  • Tin
  • Brick
  • Stone
  • Pennies

If your kitchen has a neutral color palette, the backsplash is a great place to add color and texture.

4. Check the Insulation

If you're not feeling snug as a bug in a rug, perhaps your home needs more insulation. Many city building codes require a minimal amount of insulation. But to optimize the energy efficiency of your home, you may want to consider adding more. 

Ensuring you have sufficient insulation in your house will pay off all year long.

Adding a layer of rolled insulation to your attic requires no special tools. Most homeowners can handle the steps to this DIY-friendly winter home project without assistance. 

If you still have the home inspection report for your house, it likely has notes about the insulation. Or you can take a look in the attic. If you see the floor joists, you should consider adding a layer of insulation. You'll spend the rest of the winter feeling more comfy and cozy. And then when summer arrives, your house will remain cooler. Not to mention there are cost savings with more energy-efficient homes!

5. Give Your Floors a Makeover

Nothing takes a beating in your home like the flooring. The wear and tear on a floor can be easy to miss since it's underfoot. But once you notice the flaws, you really notice them. 

If your flooring is stained, outdated, or just doesn't suit you anymore, winter is the perfect time to update and upgrade.

Upgrading your floors is an excellent project during the winter.

The variety of flooring materials has improved significantly in recent years, so you have a lot of choices.

  • Hardwood
  • Carpet
  • Tile
  • Luxury Vinyl 

Replacing the floors is a pretty ambitious project for many homeowners. It's doable, but it's also wise to do some research before deciding to tackle this task yourself.

If you decide to hire out your flooring work, winter is a great time to do it. This season is often the slowest for building contractors, so you may find a good deal. You're also more likely to find someone who is available quickly. 

6. Swap Out Light Fixtures

If you've been in your home for a while, you might not even notice your light fixtures anymore unless a bulb burns out. But updating your lighting is a relatively simple winter home project that can make a huge difference.

New fixtures will give your decor and aesthetic a fresh, cohesive feel. And many available options are also energy efficient to help cut your electric bill.

Update your home's light fixtures for a fresh look and feel.

What Will You Be Up To This Winter? 

While these winter home projects are great options for your house, perhaps you'd prefer to find a new place altogether.

Julia Monaghan Real Estate serves clients in Portland, OR, and surrounding areas. From West Linn to Happy Valley and more, we are ready to help you buy, sell, or both. Contact our team today to get started.