You may not realize that the winter months are an excellent time to take on some great home improvement projects. They say spring brings new beginnings, but winter home improvement projects offer slight advantages over warmer seasons, including shorter completion times and potential discounts.
Whether small projects or moderate upgrades, the following highlights the best winter home improvement ideas that won’t break the bank:
1. Get a Jumpstart on Curb Appeal
An inexpensive and easy home improvement project to undertake before the snow hits is the fertilization of your home’s landscape. With fall behind you, this winter project entails adding fertilizer to trees, shrubs and grass in preparation for winter months. As a homeowner, fertilizing your yard will not only keep it nourished during the dead of the winter but provide optimal care until it’s time to shine in the springtime.
2. Apply New Paint (Interior)
As you may have guessed, we’re pretty big fans of interior painting. I mean, is there anything a little paint can’t fix? At roughly $35 a gallon, this indoor home improvement project offers significant value to homeowners, both short and long-term, especially when confined to indoor activities only. For homeowners looking to sell, neutral-painted surroundings offer a blank canvas to potential home buyers. It also doesn’t hurt that interior painting offers a high return on investment (ROI).
3. Seal Openings & Air Leaks
One of the least expensive home improvement projects a homeowner can undertake this winter season is to seal openings and air leaks in their home. Taking the time to seal seams around windows and doors with caulk, waterproof sealant or weather stripping will not only improve your energy consumption but lower your utility costs as well. According to EnergyStar, sealing leaks can improve the overall quality of your home and help to fix many common problems, such as:
- Reduce noise from outside
- Better humidity control
- Lessen pollen, dust and insects from entering the home
- Lower chance for ice dams on the roof/eves in snowy climates
With winter approaching, now is a better time than ever to set aside time to seal seams around windows and doors, including any openings around pipes and vents.
4. Install Programmable Thermostat
Technology has greatly influenced home appliances in recent years, especially when it comes to programmable thermostats. This must-do winter home improvement project lets homeowners customize the heating and cooling of their homes to fit their needs, automatically regulating the temperature in their homes. With different programming options available, including the ability to control some thermostats remotely, this improvement project will not only enhance your quality of life but save you money in the process.
Nest Labs, a home automation producer, released a report last year revealing that homeowners accrued 10-12 percent savings on heating and 15 percent savings on cooling by upgrading to a programmable thermostat. Although every manufacturer has different savings claims, Nest users reported saving between $10-$20 per month.
5. Add a Tile Backsplash to Kitchen/Bathrooms
The majority of winter home improvement projects consist of indoor upgrades focused on small details that make a huge difference. One of the more affordable options is adding a colorful backsplash to kitchens and/or bathrooms. This project will add some personality to a room’s look, helping to accessorize and emphasize your countertops, cabinets and appliances.
The cost of adding a tile backsplash will depend on the size of the area, including the type of tile you want to use. The skill level needed to complete this project can be advanced since patience and a steady hand will go a long way with this project.
6. Go the Extra Step with Crown Moulding
Believe it or not, adding crown molding can be achieved for a lot less than people may think. While crown molding may seem like a small detail, it can have a huge impact on a room’s overall look.
7. Insulate the Attic
Insulating your home’s attic is one of the best winter home improvement projects that pays. Proven to produce the largest return on investment (116.9 percent) for homeowners, this project will not only help to lower your energy bill (anywhere from 5-10 percent), but it’s also eligible for tax credits (up to $500).
8. Refurbish Your Doors
Homeowners understand the visual impact interior doors can have on a home. Instead of being out of pocket to replace them, one of the more popular winter home improvement projects is to simply refurbish them. Whether the front, bathroom or bedroom door (or all three), this home improvement idea includes painting doors to make them look more expensive or modern, installing decorative door knobs to add flare, and even adding molding to flat doors to create dimension.
Homeowners looking to make last-minute upgrades to their homes should definitely consider these easy winter home improvement projects. In addition to saving on cost, waiting until the colder months to complete these tasks can provide optimal results for homeowners and investors alike.