9 Home Projects You Should Tackle During Winter

Once the cold of winter blows in, outdoor projects come to a halt. Say goodbye to gardening, tending to the lawn and all of the other “work” we do just to have an excuse to spend time outdoors. To keep you busy and productive in the dreary winter months, we’ve listed nine home projects to do in winter, no sunshine or warm weather required.

If you’ve written off updating your light fixtures as a job that’s better left to the pros, we’re here to tell you that it’s easier than you might think. In most cases, it’s as simple as turning off your power at the breaker, removing the old light fixture, disconnecting the wires, then simply reversing the steps to install your new light fixture.

There are few winter home projects that offer such an immediate improvement as bolstering your home’s insulation. Not only will you feel more comfortable, but you’ll likely notice a reduction in your utility costs, too.

If you’re itching to tackle a renovation project, we suggest installing a backsplash. Depending on your material choice, you can likely use premixed tile adhesive and grout, which minimizes time spent outdoors with a hose and makes the job quick and easy.

We’re always going on about the power of paint. Few projects transform a space as quickly and affordably as a fresh coat of paint. Best of all, nearly anyone can do it, making it an accessible home improvement project for DIYers of all ages and skill levels.

Note: Though it’s chilly outside in the winter, prioritizing ventilation when painting is still a must. Crack a window or door, turn on an exhaust fan and set up a box fan in the entry of the room to minimize fumes. To further reduce fumes when painting in winter, ask the experts at the paint desk about low- or zero-VOC paint options.

If you’ve been considering a flooring installation, winter is the perfect time to do it. For the quickest and easiest installation, we recommend cut-and-snap luxury vinyl planks, which have all the beauty of hardwood without the mess (or the hefty price tag).

No more fiddling with the thermostat to maintain a comfortable temperature without blowing your heating budget. Installing a smart thermostat lets you program everything to function exactly as you wish. Plus, with many smart thermostats, you can even control them from your phone, anywhere.

Cold breezes are a natural part of winter. A chilly breeze inside? Now that’s a problem. Sealing your drafty windows and doors will reduce your utility bill and make your home comfy-cozy, no matter how cold the winter breeze blows.

Tired of staring at those boring builder-grade plumbing fixtures? Winter is the perfect time for an upgrade. Just like updating a light fixture, we’re willing to bet most homeowners have what it takes to upgrade plumbing fixtures without calling in a pro.