Fight off the weather related doldrums and post-holiday blues by focusing on these winter home tasks. We’ve got helpful suggestions to help you get started on these very practical, must-try interior home renovation projects! These are great DIY tasks you can easily complete while the weather outside is frightful, so that your home looks truly delightful both inside and out come Spring. Plus, since this is generally the “off-season” for many builders and contractors, availability is usually more flexible**.
Renovate and refresh your kitchen.
After the holidays are over and you’re done cooking up a storm, why not give your kitchen a much needed reset. This is a great time to install new kitchen countertops to something more modern and fresh. Working on a budget? There are special countertop friendly paints and lacquers which allow you to recolor the surfaces without breaking the bank until you’re ready to take the plunge. Still recovering from holiday shopping and replacing cabinets isn’t in the cards? No problem! Consider refreshing your kitchen’s hardware such as cabinet handles, hinges, faucets, knobs, and drawer pulls as well as installing a colorful and fun vinyl wallpaper as a shelf liner and door liner.
Finish the basement for additional living space.
Having a finished basement has a significant amount of benefits. First and foremost, it adds a lot of square footage to your home’s livable space. Second, but equally important, it can help prevent mold and water damage from building up; adding water resistant flooring, adding new insulation and drywalls, and covering the walls with waterproof primer can significantly reduce exposure to humidity. Adding LED track lighting or can lights can brighten up a dark, dingy area. Plus, it makes a great space for extended family or out-of-town friends to stay in for a little more privacy when visiting. It’s also the perfect opportunity to seal up any cracks in the subflooring or foundation of the house from the inside.
Repaint the interior walls to brighten them up and make the space feel fresh.
Your home’s interior will be much cooler and drier during the winter, making it an optimal time to paint interior walls. This is also a great time to inspect walls for any damage to the drywall and remove/repair any damaged areas before repainting. Purchased an older home and not sure what paint was used on the walls? We recommend utilizing a few coats of primer before painting with modern day paints to prevent peeling and multiple coats. If you’re wondering about investing in “one-coat” paint, we highly recommend it - you’ll save yourself a significant amount of time by applying only one or two coats, freeing up your time to complete the other projects on your list instead of wasting time on 2 coats of primer + 3 to 4 coats economy paint. Got some stairs and handrails iun your home that need replacing but can’t swing it? No problem! A fresh coat of white paint can really modernize them and aid with increased visibility.
Upgrade older, outdated light fixtures and replace bulbs in your home with LEDs.
Throughout the years light bulb technology has been vastly improving. We’ve found more affordable and efficient ways to increase light while keeping costs down. Winter is a great time to replace outdated light fixtures with more modern, energy efficient options. “Boob lights” begone, it’s time to swap out those gross, dull globe lights for something fun and whimsical to add a more personal touch to your domicile. Check all of your ceiling lights, fans, hallway lights, and even appliances and swap out those bulbs for modern-day LED equivalents and watch the electric bill drop!
Update your home’s flooring.
This is a great opportunity to add value to your home, and also increase its energy efficiency. Replace old carpets with newer, more modern engineered flooring or vinyl plank flooring, both of which recommend adding a layer of insulation during install to keep your home warmer and save on energy costs. If you’re replacing carpet or refinishing hardwood floors, hire a contractor to come in during your winter break vacations so your home has time to clear out any fumes from curing or off-gassing from materials. Don’t have time to rip out carpets or refinish? Winter is also a great time to have the floors deep cleaned to clear out several seasons of dirt, grime, and muck. Working on a budget? Contemporary peel-and-stick tile brands can give your home a speedy makeover and bring it into the 21st Century in minutes. Peel-And-Stick tiles can be placed over current flooring for a quick fix while you save or renter friendly renovation! They come in a wide variety of colors, patterns, sizes, and textures to suit just about any aesthetic and budget. Installing them in a humid environment like an entryway, mud room, laundry room, or bathroom? Apply a bit of extra tile repair adhesive to help them stick a little better; most peel-and-stick brands will have a proprietary option that works best with their materials.
Spruce up your home by adding some decorative molding or ceiling medallions.
Upgrading your current molding and door trim to options can increase curb appeal as well as boost your mental health from environmental enjoyment. Crown molding is a great option as it adds a lot of depth and interest to a home, while giving flexible style options from more simplistic to intricate flourish. Baseboard moldings can be installed to give a room a more polished look and also cover up any small gaps in new flooring after removing carpeting. Picture rails are a great option for those who are looking to break up large blank walls or add depth to rooms with high ceilings. Wainscoting can add a touch of trendy aesthetics and luxury to the lower portion of a wall and can be customized. Board and Batten is also a very highly prized trend in home decor and works well in entry ways and offices especially. Want something a little more flashy? Opt for molding with Rosette fixtures or add an ornamental corner molding or corner panel moldings. Placing a ceiling medallion behind hanging pendant lights or ceiling fans can give you additional visual appeal as well as an opportunity to add in accent colors or decorative metallics.
** Pinto Carpentry’s schedule is now booking through Spring 2025! We’re still available for consultations and estimates, but all new installations of interior handrails and stair builds will be booked into March 2025 at this time.
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