5 winter renovations perfect for the season

Are winter renovations a good idea for you? While most people think of spring and summer as renovation season, that doesn’t mean you can’t still get some home improvement projects done right now! Since we spend most of winter indoors, it might make sense to complete renovations so you can enjoy your home to its fullest. We also often get a little bored during the winter months, so if you’re up for the challenge, you might be able to occupy yourself with some projects on your own. Here are five ideas that can be great winter renovations, whether you decide to tackle them yourself or hire someone for the job.

#1 Upgrade lighting

Winter is a dark season, giving us only a few hours of daylight each day and even at that, the skies are often grey and dull. This is the time of year when we realize how inadequate our lighting situation can be in our homes. Without natural sunlight streaming in, the rooms in our house can feel pretty bleak. If you’re turning on all the lights and finding it still looks like you have none on at all, it’s time for some upgrades. 

This is the perfect time to get new light fixtures to make your home feel bright and cheery. The solution may be as simple as replacing old bulbs, or it might be time to consider a bigger investment. New fixtures with modern bulbs are brighter, longer lasting, and often better for the environment thanks to their smarter energy usage. This can be a relatively small project or a bigger undertaking, depending on if you can replace existing fixtures or if you need to add upgrades in different locations altogether. For a quicker fix, tower lamps can work wonders as well.

#2 Update the kitchen

Updating your kitchen, if it needs it, is a renovation that’s valuable any time of the year. However, renovation projects tend to slow down in the winter. This means taking on this job now might give you access to more contractors, shorter timeframes, and perhaps less expensive work. Since kitchen renovations can be pricey, this is worth considering. A new kitchen is one of the top ways to add value to your home, so if you’re planning to sell in the future, we recommend giving this renovation some serious thought. New countertops, cabinets, and appliances can go a long way on their own. If you want to go the full distance, new light fixtures, backsplash, and flooring can be a good move as well. Take advantage of your opportunities this season!

#3 Remodel the garage

We rarely think about doing anything with our garages apart from storing things we’re not sure what to do with, and parking our cars. Maybe it’s time to think about converting the garage into a more usable space. Despite the cold winter temperatures, garage renovations can continue year-round. Remodeling the garage can help you declutter, while still leaving room for storage. For example, you can have cabinets or shelving installed so you can store items in an organized way. This means you won’t have to dig through piles on the floor or go out to the backyard shed to find your shovel or gardening equipment. A garage remodel doesn’t have to be fancy, but a simple redesign of how you use the space can be one of the best winter renovations.

#4 Give your laundry room new life

We all do laundry, and many of us have dedicated laundry rooms in our homes, but it’s still a place that doesn’t get enough attention. A simple but impactful winter renovation might include giving this area of your home a boost. It’s up to you how you decide to take on this task. Sometimes, a simple rearrangement of items is all you need, like using decorative storage boxes to keep the space organized but also attractive. Perhaps you can repaint the laundry room a fun colour, especially if it’s in an area closed off from the rest of your home. If you think your machines are on their last legs, you can think about taking advantage of Boxing Day sales that are likely to offer you a good deal on new appliances. It’s not a necessity to have a gorgeous laundry room, but if you’re looking for a weekend project this winter, it’s one to keep in mind.

#5 Repaint rooms in need

Similar to the lighting issues we addressed above, certain rooms can feel very dark if their wall colours aren’t right. Small rooms, rooms facing away from the sun, or rooms with a darker paint colour have a tendency to look darker, especially in the winter. One of the best and easiest winter renovations is to give any rooms in need a fresh coat of paint. You can either go all out with cheerful, bright colours, or keep it classic with a light neutral colour. The right colour on the walls goes a long way in making a room look larger and brighter, and you’ll feel far happier about spending time in there. Repainting is fairly easy and not too time-consuming, so it can be a weekend project if it’s something you want to take on yourself. You can also hire this job out if you’re not confident in your painting abilities!

Our homes should be our place of comfort and happiness, and somewhere we actively want to be. If you think your home is in need of some attention, completing winter renovations can certainly be a good idea. Whether you decide to do small-scale improvements or make major changes, you can create a space that you love.

If you have any questions about your mortgage, get in touch with us at Clinton Wilkins Mortgage Team! You can call us at (902) 482-2770 or contact us here.