While home improvement projects are generally undertaken during the summer months, when the weather tends to be finer and the days longer, there are projects that can be done in the winter too.
So despite the fact the weather’s now turning colder and the nights are closing in, there are a number of things you can DIY around your home at this time of year – which will not only keep you busy on damp weekends but also add value to your property, making them win-win!
Get your paint brush out
The colder weather and shorter days in the winter are enough to get even the world’s biggest optimist feeling down. So why not brighten up your walls and your mood by doing a spot of repainting.
Even if you don’t have the funds or inclination to do every room, just focus on one and make it feel warm, cosy and rejuvenated.
Psychologists say reds and violets boost energy levels, while greens and yellows make us feel happy. If you want to be soothed and calmed choose blue.
[Related reading: Mood Boosting Colour Choices: Brighten Your Life (And Your Home)]
Focus on your floors
Do your carpets look as though they have seen better days? Maybe your wooden floors are feeling particularly chilly under your feet this year? Winter is a great time to give your floors an overhaul!
If you’ve got no experience with fitting carpets, it’s always best to get a professional in. Not only will the job be completed to a high standard, but you can also learn in the process by seeing how it’s done. You can even quiz the fitter a little (within reason) and get some handy tips and hints while the work is being undertaken. Maybe it will give you the confidence you need to do it yourself next time.
Alternatively, maybe you love the look of your wooden floors, but they are just too cold underfoot. A great way to remedy this is by installing underfloor heating. This is definitely a job that’s best left to the professionals and while it might seem like an expensive investment now, it could pay dividends in the future if you ever decide to sell your house.
Deal with any draughts
Draughts become particularly noticeable once the colder weather arrives and you’re trying to effectively and economically heat your home. Fortunately, fixing them is often cheap and can be done yourself in not much time.
The majority of draughts will occur in gaps around your external doors and windows. A simple yet effective way to combat them is with off-the-shelf solutions, like letterbox covers and draught excluders for doors, and plastic cling wrap for windows. These can all be fitted in little time and should be an easy job for experienced DIYers.
[Related reading: Going Green: Tips for a More Eco Friendly Kitchen]
declutter
Last but certainly not least is a simple task that not many people like doing, but which most of us appreciate when it’s done: decluttering.
At the end of the day, you don’t want to be spending time delcuttering when spring arrives, so it’s best to do it now while the weather is bad and you’ve got plenty of indoor time on your hands.
Focus on one room at a time and be ruthless. If you’ve got stuff that you hardly ever use anymore or have never used, consider donating it to a charity shop. If you want to make a bit of extra cash from it then do a car boot sale or advertise it on an online auction site like eBay.
Whatever you do, don’t try and tackle your whole house at once. You’ll lose motivation and are likely to not see it through. One room a weekend is a nice compromise and you’ll soon be able to see the progress you’ve made.