Oct 24, 2024
As we turn back the clocks for daylight saving and settle into the colder winter months, it’s only natural to find ourselves spending more time indoors. And with the holiday season fast approaching, a little hibernation feels like a welcome ritual. Whether we’re cozying up by the fire or baking treats in the kitchen, winter has become a season of rest, warmth, and togetherness.
Yet, as we nestle in, many of us start to see our homes in a new light, noticing things we might want to improve or refresh. These indoor days can often spark ideas and inspire us to tackle home projects, big and small—keeping the dreaded cabin fever at bay. And for some, the thought of the upcoming holidays is enough to launch a flurry of planning and preparation.
From ambitious renovations to simple upgrades, the possibilities are endless this time of year. Before the holidays get into full swing, why not take on a project or two that will make your space even more inviting?
Jumpstart Your Winter Renovations
As we inch toward holiday gatherings, the urge to spruce up our homes grows. Many of us want our spaces looking their best for hosting family and friends, but it’s not all about seasonal decor. This is prime time for winter renovations. Fresh paint, kitchen updates, new flooring—these upgrades make a lasting difference, transforming spaces from everyday to extraordinary.
Winter is, in fact, a great season for interior renovations. With fewer outdoor distractions, it’s easier to focus on indoor projects and complete them without the pull of warm-weather activities. Plus, it’s often more affordable. Contractors tend to be more available in winter, which can lead to better prices and faster project turnarounds, saving you money to put toward your holiday festivities.
Of course, some projects require more time and planning and may be too ambitious for a quick weekend job. If you’re picturing a holiday-ready home, here are a few helpful tips for tackling winter renovations.
Focus on the Indoors
It’s tempting to envision a beautifully decked-out entryway with wreaths and garlands for that perfect holiday postcard look. However, winter weather is unpredictable, and outdoor renovations are best left for milder months. Snow and freezing temperatures can delay projects, if not halt them altogether.
Interior projects like painting, updating kitchen appliances, refreshing backsplashes, and even redoing floors are better suited to the season. These updates are manageable, can usually be done within a reasonable time frame, and won’t be affected by the chill outside.
Plan for Early Winter
Although some updates can be completed relatively quickly, it’s essential to consider the timing of your renovation projects. While a bathroom paint job might be a weekend project, new flooring requires more planning. Between ordering materials and scheduling installation, the process can take days or even weeks. For hardwood floors especially, time is needed for the wood to adjust to your home’s temperature and humidity.
By starting renovations early in the season, you’ll have ample time to enjoy the updates with family and friends, creating a welcoming environment for everyone who steps into your cozy, refreshed space.
Lay New Flooring
If you’re hoping to impress holiday visitors with a fresh new floor, you’ll want to get an early start on the project. From choosing the right flooring to moving your furniture back in place, you’ll need to budget about four to five weeks to see it through. Fall is actually an ideal time to buy hardwood floors, thanks to the cooler, low-humidity conditions that are perfect for installation. Since hardwood is sensitive to moisture, it’s best to let the planks “rest” in the room for at least 48 hours to a week, allowing them to acclimate to your home’s unique temperature and humidity before installation.
Once your new hardwood floors are down, remember to keep your thermostat at a moderate level. Extreme warmth or dryness in the house can cause hardwood to shrink and crack during winter, affecting the quality of your beautiful new floors.
In a time crunch? No problem—there are plenty of flooring options that don’t require the same lead time. Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) or vinyl sheet flooring, for instance, mimics the look of hardwood and can often be installed the same day you bring it home, with no acclimation period needed.
Finish a Basement
A finished basement is a fantastic retreat during colder months, offering a cozy space for the whole family to gather or even an extra room for holiday guests. Beyond seasonal enjoyment, a remodeled basement can boost your home’s value, especially if you add bedrooms or a bathroom.
Winter is ideal for tackling this often-overlooked area of the home. Depending on the current state of your basement, upgrades could range from laying waterproof flooring to help protect against moisture to refreshing the walls with a light paint color. Even modest updates can transform your basement into a versatile, welcoming space that serves as an escape from winter’s chill and adds year-round functionality to your home.
Add Fresh Coats of Paint to Walls
Wouldn’t it be nice to switch up a room’s color palette before company arrives for the holidays?
It’s often assumed that the spring and summer months are better times to paint, as you can open the windows to let out fumes from Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and circulate the air. But winter offers the perfect opportunity to splash some colors on the walls, too.
Yes, keeping windows open while painting is healthier than breathing toxins and overall cleaner for your household and environment, but this can still be done in winter. Plus, it has several advantages. One such advantage is that the arid air helps paint dry quickly and speeds up the task. That way, you can tackle this project in a single weekend, allowing more time for holiday shopping and family activities for the rest of the season.
Update Lighting Fixtures
A simple renovation project homeowners can tackle in the winter months is to update their lighting fixtures. Just as winter dries out our skin, it can also drain our energy levels and trigger a seasonal affective disorder, also known as the winter blues. But by improving the quality of your home’s lighting and illumination, you can trick your body and mind into thinking its natural sunlight.
One trick is to increase the overall lighting. Open the windows during the day to allow in the natural sunlight. Replace low wattage bulbs in any overhead fixtures, such as chandeliers and recessed lighting, with full-spectrum and energy-efficient bulbs. This casts a brighter and wider glow comparable to sunlight that can improve those winter blues.
After you’ve tended to general lighting elements, you can then use accent and task lighting to create a more soothing glow. Illuminate a dark reading nook with a sconce and add a desk lamp where you intend to sign and seal holiday cards.
Prepare for Holiday Guests
Once your renovations are complete, you can put the finishing touches to your home for the holiday season.
When preparing for guests, preparation is key. And this even goes for protecting things like your newly renovated floors.
Whatever type of flooring you choose to install in your renovation project, be sure it’s protected. Your home will see loads of foot traffic during holiday parties, bringing wear and tear, so it’s important to preserve the life of your floors and prevent scratches from dress heels and stains from spilled food and wine.
During winter, all sorts of debris is tracked indoors–from wet snow to the rock salt you sprinkled along the footpath to the front door. Rock salt, especially, is harmful to floors and can leave a residue that dulls floor finishes and even scratches. To prevent yourself and guests from this mishap, simply place down a mat at each entryway and create a space to remove and store shoes. An even nicer touch would be to add cozy slippers for guests to wear instead.
And should a spill occur, it’s essential to wipe them up as soon as possible. Overall, sweeping and mopping with an approved hardwood flooring cleaner a few times each week is recommended to maintain your hardwood floors.
Create a Cozy, Rustic Ambiance
Candles are a fantastic way to add a rustic style ambiance, especially during the holidays. Plus, the flicker adds a warm glow and dim lighting during shorter winter days.
Better yet—make it scented! From pumpkin spice to evergreen to sugar cookies, use smells that evoke favorite holiday memories. On the contrary, however, be sure to use unscented at the dinner table so that the deliciously prepared meal takes center stage.
If you have a fireplace or woodstove, even better! You can’t beat the crackle and woodsy smell. Of course, deck the mantel with family photos or stockings.
Bring in the Heavier Textiles
Textiles can add a sensuality in summer and a luxuriousness in winter.
Swap out those crisp summer bed linens for something cozier. Family and guests will appreciate flannel sheets and thick comforters to bundle up with. Drape a faux fur or merino wool blanket at the foot for the chilliest nights.
Similarly, drape a warm plaid or tartan throw over the sofa and other furniture to be able to snuggle up and watch a classic holiday movie with a cup of hot cocoa. A nearby basket of blankets in the living room is a swell idea as well.
Add warmth underfoot, too. Some floors can be extra cold on bare feet in winter and a small area rug or runner can prevent being shocked awake quicker than you’d like.
Additionally, a spacious area rug in the living room offers a comfortable and casual spot to unwrap gifts and allow the kids to spend hours playing with new toys—all without damaging the floors. At the very least, a rug beneath a Christmas tree can protect your flooring from water damage as you keep it alive during the holiday season.
Is Your Home Ready for the Holidays?
There’s something special about preparing your home for the holiday season. Between adding festive decor, putting up twinkling lights, and bringing out family heirlooms, this time of year calls for a little extra warmth and care. If you have home projects you’ve been putting off, now’s the perfect time to complete them. A finished basement could double as a cozy family room, a freshly painted bathroom could offer a welcoming retreat, or those old floors could be replaced with something new and beautiful.
Whatever your holiday projects may be, give yourself enough time to enjoy the process. With renovations complete, you’ll have a fresh, inviting space that’s ready for holiday memories. And if new flooring is on your list, consider finding a reputable dealer through a dealer locator tool to ensure you get the best service and quality.
Winter renovations not only give your home a special holiday glow but also keep cabin fever at bay. Once everything’s done, settle in, light some candles, and savor the warmth of the season with family and friends.
