The New Year arrives full of good intentions, cold weather, and that sudden realization that your house didn’t magically fix itself over the holidays. Winter is actually a great time to tackle home jobs, mostly because going outside is unpleasant and cleaning a cupboard feels productive by comparison. You might plan out things like gutter maintenance for outside roof renovations if there are any missing tiles, but also things like hot tub maintenance, especially if you plan to enjoy warm bubbles while the rest of the world freezes. After that, it’s all about setting your home up for a smoother year ahead.
You might start out with a proper clear out. Winter is the perfect time for decluttering because you’re already indoors and slightly annoyed by everything. Tackling one space at a time – drawers, cupboards, that mysterious ‘stuff’ room – if you haven’t used something in a year, it’s probably safe to say goodbye. Less clutter means less to clean, which is a gift to your future self. You can then deep clean from there. This goes beyond the usual quick tidy up, but think skirting boards, light switches behind the furniture and the top of the fridge. Yes, it does get dusty. Open a window to let some cooler air through, play some music and pretend that you’re starring in a dramatic home makeover montage. Your house then ends up feeling fresher and brighter and ready to beckon that new year in.
Right now is also a great time to check your insulation and drafts. If certain rooms feel like they’re hosting their own weather system, it’s time to investigate. Seal the gaps around the windows and doors, check your loft insulation, and make sure that your curtains are doing their job. These are the small fixes that make your home warmer and help to keep your energy bills from ruining your mood. You can also show your heating system some love too. Bleed the radiators, check the thermostat and book a service if it’s due a boiler breakdown in January. As nobody’s idea of character building, spending a little time now can save you from sitting indoors wearing 3 jumpers later.
Don’t forget about those winter safety jobs. Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, replace the batteries and check outdoor lighting. Winter nights are long and dark, and a working light prevents trips, slips and dramatic tumbles. You may not want to start knocking down walls in January, but you can use the time now to plan out those future projects you’re going to tackle in the summer. You can research, budget and plan and start booking in experts to come and give you quotes. Whether it’s a new kitchen, a garden makeover or an update to your bathroom, having a plan means that you’ll be ready when the warmer weather does arrive.
You can then circle back to take care of the outdoor areas where possible. It’s cold and possibly wet and snowy, but you should have someone come in to clear your gutters and check your fences and make sure that your paths are safe. You don’t need to transform the garden, just stop it from becoming a muddy slip aside.