While many of us think about embarking on Home Improvement projects in the spring, summer and into fall, there are lots of great ways to make improvements on your home in the winter too, potentially increasing your property value while helping you to save on utility bills.
Whether you live in Connecticut, California or somewhere in between, these are some great options to consider.
Repaint Your Homes Interior
If your walls are starting to look outdated or are painted in boring neutral colors, now’s the time to repaint, taking advantage of all that time you’re likely to be spending indoors. A bright and cheery color can even help fight those winter blues. Doing a bit of modern trim work and crown molding along with it can totally change the look of a room without the high cost of a complete renovation.
If you’re worried about the fumes, despite what you might think, you can actually paint without having to open up all your windows as long as you use environmentally-friendly, waterborne wall paint. It has virtually no fumes and the typically drier air that comes with winter means you’ll get results quicker too.
Install a Programmable Thermostat to Save on Heating Bills
One of the best ways to save on your heating bills is to install a programmable thermostat which will allow you to adjust the temperature in your home at any time throughout the day so you won’t be paying to heat it while you’re out of town or at work. According to the Family Handyman, by turning down the heat 5 degrees at night and 10 degrees during the day when no one is home, your energy bill will be reduced anywhere from 5 to 20 percent.
Add Lighting
Another great way to brighten things up during a dreary winter is to add new lighting as it’s an easy and affordable way to update any room. Pendant lighting has become a popular trend, but if you’re looking for something soft and romantic, a crystal chandelier is timeless and sure to do the trick. Other options include LED-style lights which can help save money on your electric bill while creating a bold, contemporary style. Dimmers make it easy to customize the ambiance of a room no matter which style you choose.
Update Flooring
If your flooring is worn, it detracts from the overall appearance of your home’s interior. You might consider replacing existing carpet with new carpet, or installing tile or hardwood for a completely new, elegant look.
Turn Your Boring Bathroom into a Spa Retreat
Wouldn’t you like to come home and enjoy your very own spa retreat? It’s relatively easy to transform a drab, boring bathroom by doing simple changes like repainting the walls, re-grouting tile, updating hardware and fixtures and/or adding a new vanity. Changing up the flooring is usually cheap since most bathrooms are small – there are all types of flooring to consider, like marble, vinyl or ceramic tile. Avoid laying carpet, while it may have been trendy at one point, it’s never a good idea due to all the moisture in the room.
