Category: Real Estate

Freezing temperatures and snow limit the scope of updates some homeowners can make this time of year, but there are plenty of important indoor projects that could pay off.

The weather outside may be frightful for some this time of year, and that presents a problem for anyone who needs to start sprucing up their home to go on the market this spring.

If you live in a part of the world where snow is piling outside your door, you may not be able to do much to the exterior, but that all-but-forced hibernation is prime time to perk up your pad’s interior. And updates are crucial now that so many buyers are hesitating amid high mortgage rates and inflated home prices.

“If a home feels tired, dated or too personal, you will not only lose showing traffic but also significantly decrease the potential for a lucrative offer,” said Traci Garontakos, managing partner at the Agency in Indianapolis.

The average buyer tends to have a hard time visualizing what a space can be and often can’t see past what is already there. A clean and inviting home at the moment of listing it can set the foundation for a successful sale by capturing the attention of potential buyers as the real estate market reignites next spring, said Sharon Parker of Tate & Foss Sotheby’s International Realty in North Hampton, New Hampshire.

“Refreshing key elements of your home before listing in the spring is a strategic move that goes beyond just aesthetics,” Parker said. “It’s about presenting your property in the best possible light and making that critical first impression count.”

The Financial Benefits of a Refresh

Updating not only increases traffic, but it can have a major impact on return on investment.

Depending on your location and market, certain improvements tend to have a broader impact on increasing a home’s overall appeal and value. For instance, a kitchen remodel often yields a high return on investment, somewhere in the range of 75%, according to Parker. Bathroom renovations tend to have an ROI of around 65%, while energy-efficient upgrades, such as new windows, insulation or replacing your old furnace tend to have an ROI of 60% to 80%, she said.

Refreshing a home will not only increase interest but it may also increase competition resulting in the potential for multiple offers and a higher sales price, Garontakos said. Refreshing also reduces the amount the seller has to invest during the inspection period.

“If a buyer feels a home looks tired, they will tend to believe it needs significant maintenance as well,” Garontakos said.

Lately, buyers are showing a readiness to pay a premium for a property that demands minimal immediate attention. “Thoughtfully preparing your home for the spring market is a crucial strategy for optimizing returns,” Parker said.

Clear the Clutter

When potential buyers walk in, they want to see a well-cared-for home where they can picture building their lives, and winter is the perfect time to focus on indoor renovations, especially those that make your home feel fresh and modern.

Because clutter and disorganization can distract buyers from seeing the home’s features, decluttering is crucial, said Smitha Ramchandani, an associate real estate broker at Christie’s International Real Estate Group New York City. Not only does it help make your house feel more spacious, but “a clutter-free home allows potential buyers to envision themselves living in the space and can positively impact their perception of the property,” she said.

Once you’ve cleared the way, have your home deep cleaned, including appliances, windows and carpeting. Then consider hiring someone to have it staged, which can play an important role in showcasing a home’s potential and help a buyer disregard the need for updates. ‘

“Staged homes often photograph better and create a visually appealing narrative for potential buyers. Staging helps highlight the property’s strengths and can facilitate an emotional connection with prospective buyers,” Ramchandani said.

While staging can certainly set a fresh tone, so can a coat of new paint.

“A fresh coat of paint can make a significant difference in a home’s appearance. Neutral and modern color schemes tend to appeal to a broader range of potential buyers, providing a clean and well-maintained look,” Ramchandani said.

Walls and trim make up one of the largest surface areas of a home, so it stands to reason that freshening those up will have a dramatic impact, said Marybeth Emerson, chairman agent at the Agency in Boulder, Colorado. “These areas take a subtle beating on a daily basis and, before you know it, things start to look a little tired.

Garontakos suggests using a matte finish on the walls to reduce drywall imperfections and touch up any trim and casework.

Consider Details Like Floors and Fixtures 

If your space needs more major updating, renovating high-impact areas like the kitchen and bathrooms or replacing dated or discolored flooring or carpeting can still be done in winter.

“Flooring falls into the category of large surface areas of a home that create tremendous visual impact for a minimal/modest investment,” Emerson said. “Whether it’s replacing carpet or refinishing wood floors with a more current stain color, the impact is dramatic and the perceived value for a buyer is high,” she said.

Small details, like a dated bathroom or weathered floors or walls, give a buyer reason to believe the home hasn’t been properly maintained, said Ruben Ramos of Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty in Savannah, Georgia. “This is the opposite of the picture that you want to paint for a buyer.”

Even if you don’t do a complete overhaul, generally, upgrading key fixtures, especially in focal points like the kitchen and bathrooms, elevates the overall aesthetic appeal, Parker said.

Garontakos’s favorite refresh is lighting.

“You do not need to spend a lot on lighting but consider purchasing large lights with a big impact. Linen drum shade pendants, milk glass fixtures and wide candelabra lights can showcase a home very well,” she said. And don’t be afraid to mix finishes like chrome and brushed brass or black and chrome. “Keeping selections classic and traditional with a modern edge is always a win,” Garontakos said.

Remove dated and mismatched lighting fixtures and replace the old fixtures with more updated and cohesive ones, Emerson says. “The goal is to streamline the look so that the home seems well thought out. Coordinated lighting sets the mood throughout a home and elevates the look.”

Lastly, Parker noted the importance of a pre-listing home inspection for an added layer of transparency.

“It’s a strategic move that allows you to address any potential concerns proactively and maximizes your home’s market appeal. It’s also seen as a well-maintained investment in the competitive spring real estate market, which in turn tends to produce cleaner and higher offers,” Parker said.

Give the Exterior Attention  

Despite the winter weather, sellers can still take proactive steps to prepare the exterior of their homes for a spring listing.

“This includes checking for any winter-related damage, such as ice dams or issues with roofing and gutters, inspecting windows and doors for drafts or damage and servicing the HVAC system for optimal performance,” Parker said.

Even if you have a blanket of snow covering your yard, strategic planning for landscaping improvements demonstrates foresight and attention to detail, Parker said.

“By addressing these aspects, sellers can present their homes in the best possible light, despite the challenges of the winter season, paving the way for a successful spring listing.”

Winter is the ideal time to plant your spring bulbs, such as allium, tulips and daffodils, Ramos said, noting he prefers to plant bulbs now that will flower from early spring to late summer.

Parker also suggests focusing on planning and preparing your garden beds. “Clear away any debris, trim back dormant plants and address any winter-related damage to create a solid foundation for future landscaping,” she said.

Additionally, consider adding subtle enhancements such as decorative elements, well-maintained pathways and thoughtfully placed outdoor lighting to elevate your winter curb appeal ahead of time. “By proactively addressing these tasks, you’ll ensure your outdoor area is poised for an inviting showcase when spring finally arrives.”

With the days lengthening and weather warming, spring is a good time to get outdoors and tackle some larger home projects. With the threat of winter storms past, you can look for damage and make any needed repairs, as well as prep your home and garden for summer. We spoke with an expert to get some tips on what to watch for this season, from proper irrigation to mosquitoes and termites (oh my!).

Tasks to Check Off Your List in an Hour or Less

Inspect driveways and paths. Freezing and thawing are rough on concrete, asphalt and other hardscape materials. Take a walk around your property to look for damage to walkways, paths and driveways, then schedule repairs as needed. Asphalt can often be patched, but damaged concrete may need to be replaced entirely.

Keep an eye out for termites. Beginning in March and going through May or June, be on the lookout for these winged insects. “Termites swarm in the spring,” says Victor Sedinger, certified home inspector. “If there’s a bunch of winged insects flying out of a hole in the woodwork, that’s probably termites. Call a licensed professional pest-control company. You’ll save money and trouble in the long run.”

Prevent mosquitoes. In recent years, we’ve become more aware of the potential danger mosquitos can pose to our health. “West Nile virus and Zika virus are just the latest diseases caused by these winged pests,” Sedinger says.

The best way to prevent mosquitos around your home is simply to get rid of any standing water. “Walk around your property [and peek at your neighbors’]. If you see anything or any area where water stands, fix it, tip it, get rid of it or maintain it regularly,” Sedinger says.

Tackle These To-Dos Over a Weekend

Wash windows. Clean the grime off glass inside and out for a lighter, brighter home indoors and increased curb appeal outdoors. Wash the exterior windows yourself by using a hose attachment, or hire a pro to get the job done.

Clean gutters and downspouts. After the last frost has passed, it’s important to have your gutters and downspouts cleaned and repaired. “Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause the wood trim at the eaves to rot, and that can invite all kinds of critters into your attic space,” Sedinger says.

Having your gutters and downspouts cleaned early in the season can also help prevent damage from spring rains. “Gutters and downspouts should be clean and running free,” Sedinger says. “If your downspouts are installed properly, water is diverted away from the house so that no water collects around your foundation.”

Clean your fireplace. If your home has a working wood-burning fireplace, the end of winter is a good time to give it a fresh start. Protect your hands with gloves and cover the area around the fireplace with a tarp. Carefully remove the (completely cool) remains of any charred logs and ash using fireplace tools. Then gently clean the fireplace surround. Do not attempt to clean inside the chimney — that job should be left to a professional chimney sweep.

Check sprinkler and irrigation systems. Checking your sprinklers or irrigation systems in the spring can save water — and your plants. Sedinger shares these tips for checking your watering system:

• Run the system through all the zones manually and walk the property.
• Make sure none of the sprinkler heads are broken or damaged.
• Adjust any heads that are spraying the house, especially windows, as this can cause moisture problems.
• Adjust heads that are spraying the street, sidewalk or porches to avoid wasting water.
• If you don’t know how to maintain your system, call a professional. You’ll save money on your water bill and protect one of our most valuable natural resources.

Check screen doors and windows. Screens are designed to let the breeze flow in and keep the bugs out, but they can only do their job if they’re free from holes and tears.

Before setting up your screens for the warm months ahead, be sure to carefully check each one and repair any holes or tears, no matter how small. You can find repair kits at most hardware and home-improvement stores.

Inspect the roof. Winter storms can take quite a toll on a roof. When spring arrives, start by making a simple visual inspection of yours. “It doesn’t require a ladder, and you certainly don’t have to get on a roof to look,” Sedinger says. “Use binoculars or a camera or smartphone with a telephoto feature if you need to.” Look for missing shingles, metal pipes that are damaged or missing or anything that simply doesn’t look right. If you notice anything that needs closer inspection or repair, call a roofer.

Paint exterior. If you’re planning to repaint your home’s exterior this year, spring is a good time to set it up. Want to paint but can’t decide on a color? Explore your town and snap pictures of house colors you like, browse photos on Houzz or work with a color consultant to get that just-right hue.

Reseal exterior woodwork. Wood decks, fences, railings, trellises, pergolas and other outdoor structures will last longer if they’re stained or resealed every year or two.

Take this opportunity to make any needed repairs to woodwork as well.

Schedule air-conditioning service. “Home inspectors see a lot of air-conditioning systems that are just not taken care of,” Sedinger says. “Just because it gets cool doesn’t mean it’s working efficiently.” To get the longest life out of your cooling system and keep it running as efficiently as possible, change the filters at least once each season, and hire a licensed professional to service the equipment before the start of summer.

This article first appeared on Houzz.com

The combination of wood and white brings beautiful contrast to a kitchen. The natural look and feel of wood cabinets adds warmth, and mixing in bright shades of white creates a fresh, balanced look. Check out these before-and-after photos to see how pros designed three luminous kitchens with wood and white leading the way. Then let us know in the Comments which one you think had the biggest transformation.

 

1. Wood and White in the Light

Before: An active family of five in New Jersey had been making good use of their existing kitchen, but it had issues. The homeowners desperately needed to replace a bare plywood panel on the dishwasher that was being used as a temporary fix. Upper cabinets were crowding the window above the sink, contributing to a lack of adequate lighting. There was insufficient counter space due to the layout. A small granite-topped island with seating for three didn’t function well for the family, and the uneven heights of the upper cabinets didn’t look good.

The couple hired interior designer Ioana Curovic to remodel their kitchen. After browsing photos on Houzz for inspiration, they decided they wanted a bright room with wood and white surfaces, clear lines and better flow.

After: Curovic pushed the kitchen 5 feet into the backyard to create an additional 80 square feet. This let her bring in a more robust island with seating for four and incorporate a large three-pane window to flood the room with natural light. The new sink wall has a more open feel with no overhead cabinets, matte paint (Winter White by Benjamin Moore) and a hidden wood-paneled dishwasher.

Shaker-style white oak cabinets painted white and a modern white tile backsplash with bright white grout focus the eye on the oak-lined vent hood and custom gas cooktop wrapped in the same white quartz as the countertops. “A lot of the inspiration photos from the client included white with wood accents, which bring some nice warmth to the space,” Curovic says.

Stained red oak flooring throughout the kitchen and backless oak wood stools with iron bases help give the room new character. The upper cabinets and modern kitchen accessories add to the wood-and-white motif without adding clutter.

 

2. Wood, White and Blue

Before: Having lived in their Colonial-style Massachusetts home since 2000, these homeowners felt it was time to give their kitchen a new look. The couple hired designer Amanda Ortendahl and Maynard Construction to complete their kitchen remodel, including dealing with the overwhelming amount of wood cabinets and wasted floor space.

A ceiling soffit was causing the upper cabinets to sit low, leaving less space for the tile backsplash and food prep. Dark granite countertops that nearly circled the kitchen gave the room a heaviness. A peninsula with overhead glass-front cabinets separated the kitchen and formal dining area.

“I definitely think the layout before was functional for [the female homeowner], but they wanted to enlarge the kitchen, update the style and gain the functionality of all the accessory options you can get in cabinetry today,” Ortendahl says.

After: The design team started by stripping the kitchen down to its bare bones and removing the ceiling soffit. Ortendahl pushed the kitchen wall out 2 feet into the backyard and axed the peninsula and overhead cabinets. The additional 200 square feet allowed for a fluid U-shaped layout with an 11-foot walnut island topped with white quartz. Creamy white cabinets and a contoured walnut range hood set the tone for this wood-and-white kitchen.

Navy stools with gold legs as well as blue knobs on the stainless steel range add splashes of elegant color to the white countertops and rich walnut surfaces. The wood floors were refinished in a lighter color to add to the kitchen’s new look and feel.

“She wanted the opposite of the wood cabinets she had before — to keep things light but bring in the wood tones of the hood, island and floor for some warmth,” Ortendahl says.

 

3. White with Rustic Wood Touches

Before: Seventeen years ago, when Todd and Tina Gifford were ready to transform their muddy brown kitchen, life and young children got in the way. Once the kids were grown up and out of the house, the couple hired designer Gina Loewer to give the space a new wood-and-white look.

Honey-brown floors that nearly matched the oak cabinets, along with laminate countertops and an aging cooktop on a narrow island, defined the old kitchen. A large desk area and a protruding fridge that hindered kitchen traffic became daily sources of inconvenience. “The kitchen just felt drab,” Loewer says. “It was enclosed, compartmentalized, and the aisleways were tight.”

After: Loewer started by opening up the back wall to expose a hidden dining room, adding 24 square feet and more natural light to the kitchen. Greige walls and maple cabinets, ceiling and trim in various shades of white brighten the space. A larger island with a hickory base, white quartz top and wood stools adds rustic charm.

The old honey-hued floors were refinished to complement the new island and decorative hickory beam. A stainless steel hood, range, soda fridge and double ovens provide a nice contrast to the neutral colors of the kitchen. A covered fridge that moved to a new wall maintains the design’s crisp white surfaces and black hardware.

 

 

 

Color preferences vary as much as personalities. Some folks love the bright and the bold, while others feel most secure surrounded by neutrals. The good news is that when it comes to color, there really is no “correct” palette.

That said, we’ve all been inside homes where an explosion of color created a choppy feel between rooms — and sometimes, the urge to run. A great way to avoid this result is to hire a designer or color consultant, either to guide your entire remodeling or decorating project or simply to advise you on the best colors for your spaces. We asked pros to share their tips for creating a cohesive flow of color throughout a home. Read on to find out what they said.

1. Pick a Flow-Through Paint

One simple way to create a cohesive feel is to use a consistent paint color on the walls of connecting spaces. “Particularly in homes that have more of an open floor plan, it’s best to choose one color that is going to serve as your main color or your neutral,” says Kelly Porter, an interior designer based in Washington, D.C. “That doesn’t mean it has to be beige or white or gray. But the foyer, the hallways and that main connector room should all be the same color because you want to have that dominant color in your space.”

2. Pay Attention to Sightlines

San Francisco interior designer and color expert Jennifer Ott frequently works with clients who want more variety in their wall colors. When that is the case, she suggests considering sightlines. When you’re standing in the living room, what other rooms will you see? If you have a view into the kitchen, the dining room and the foyer, then the colors for those spaces need to work well together. “It can start to look really wacky if you have a different color scheme in each room,” Ott says.

3. Choose Color Groups

One way to increase the likelihood that a color scheme flows from room to room is to limit yourself to colors in the same temperature family. “Some people will stick to a warm color palette — reds and oranges and yellows or a cool scheme — grays and greens and blues,” Ott says.

Another option, Ott says, is to select one or two colors and then use variations of it. If the main color is blue, you might select a gray-blue, a pure blue and a navy paint as you move from room to room. The same concept can be used for decorative accessories.

For wall paint, you can ask the paint store to create a “tint” of a particular color, perhaps knocking down the main color by 50 percent, which the mixer will do by adding white. “They can create a lighter or darker version of it,” Ott says. “That’s a good way to unite without putting the same color everywhere.”

“I also tell people if they’re going to do their wall in this color, go two or three shades lighter for your ceiling so it doesn’t look like a sore thumb because you painted it white,” says Keith Wardlaw of Plus Modern Design in Kansas City, Missouri.

Paint decks can also be a good inspiration source for finding colors that work well together.

4. Restrict the Edgiest Colors to Enclosed Rooms

Rooms out of the sightline of other rooms are good places for going wild. Master bedrooms, powder rooms, kids rooms and any other room encapsulated by four walls are great places to indulge, says Carl Mattison, an Atlanta-based designer.

“If you turn the corner and go into a little powder bathroom, which you don’t go in all the time, who cares? Paint it black!” It works, Mattison says, “because it’s its own little box.”

5. For Bold Colors, Use Accessories

Accessories are a less expensive way to introduce dramatic colors than purchasing a couch or rug in the same tone, and they’re also easier to swap out should you tire of a color. Limiting bold colors to accessories also helps you avoid the shocking effect that can happen when a dramatic shade is painted on all four walls. “The key is finding a way to inject the color that makes rooms interesting and exciting without feeling like you need to escape,” Ott says. Bright color is good when you want to highlight a piece worthy of notice.

6. Tie Rooms Together With Accents

Accent colors can change from room to room, but continuing one consistent color throughout the home can help create a sense of continuity. “Let’s say you have green and blue in your living room,” Porter says. “Perhaps for the dining room, you use one of those two colors, maybe just the blue. Or you could do blue and yellow. So the blue is what will tie those rooms together.”

7. Use the 60-30-10 Formula

Another way to create a cohesive flow from room to room is to think of the palette for your home as a math problem. “Use a base color that you really like as 60% to 70% of what you’re going to paint for your interior,” Wardlaw says. “Your next color needs to be 25% to 30%. Then you can do your accents of 5% to 10%.”

In this photo, which shows one of Wardlaw’s designs, gray is the 60% color, blue the 25%, orange about 10% and brown maybe another 5%. “I really try to make people only go with about three colors, four at the max — at least on the interior,” Wardlaw says. “Otherwise it just feels chaotic.”

To pull the colors throughout the home, you might use a variation on the scheme in an adjacent dining room. The walls might be painted blue, and perhaps gray could be used as an accent, with a few small orange accessories providing the 10 percent dose of color. “As long as you keep it cohesive throughout your entire home, it’s going to make more sense,” Wardlaw says.

8. Consider Using Color-Planning Tools

Those who love delving deeper into design principles may want to read up a bit on color theory — or at least ask your interior designer about it. “One of the main things I explain to my client is the color wheel,” Wardlaw says. “To keep that cohesive feel throughout your home, one of the main things you can do is consult that.”

A basic rule of thumb is that using analogous (or adjacent) colors on the wheel will create less contrast and a more calm feel, while choosing complementary colors (across from one another on the wheel) will create greater contrast and a higher-energy room. Understanding the relationships between colors will help you see why certain combinations have certain effects on you.

Designers have studied color and can offer invaluable guidance when you’re decorating or remodeling. You can hire one to take your project from start to finish, or simply as a consultant to troubleshoot a specific area like tweaking your home’s palette so that the colors flow well throughout your home.

Porter, who does a lot of color consultations, says her clients tend to know what color they want to use but need validation that the shade they are considering will produce the desired effect. She did a long-distance consultation with a client who passionately loves orange. “The colors she was telling me about were very bright and childlike,” Porter says. The designer suggested a more adult rusty orange instead. “She tried it and loved it,” Porter says.

Even if you are not planning to sell your home anytime soon, a fresh and welcoming exterior is a wonderful thing to come home to each day. From front doors, house numbers and porch furnishings to color schemes, landscaping and basic repairs, this smorgasbord of ideas will hopefully inspire a few changes around your own home.

1. Add big, bold house numbers. It’s so easy to swap out house numbers, and this one thing can make a huge impact. Echo your house style in the numbers you choose — a clean sans serif font for a modern house, hand-painted tiles for a cottage, aged copper for a Prairie-style home etc.
2. Paint the front door. A front door that pops can be hugely cheering.
3. Add fresh porch furniture. A pair of matching rockers, Adirondack chairs or a cozy glider is a must when you have a front porch that is visible from the street.
4. Swap out porch lighting. Try replacing tiny sconces with a big, statement-making pendant light, add recessed lighting beneath the eaves or install solar lights along the front walk
5. Add a hot-red accent. Red has such vibrancy; a little goes a very long way. Try a bright red bench, planter or mailbox to add zing that can be seen from across the street.
6. Do some hardscaping. Built-in concrete planters, a low stone wall or new paths are all great ways to add structure to your front yard that will last for many years to come.
7. Spruce up the side yard. Camouflage an eyesore with attractive fencing, clear out weeds and lay out a neat path to the backyard.
8. Add depth with a fence. A low fence around a property not only adds a welcome boundary between a hectic street and a private space, but it also makes the front yard seem larger.
9. Replace a lawn with flowers. Dig up part or all of your front lawn and plant perennials instead for a lush landscape that sets your house apart.
10. Repair the driveway and paths. Cement, stone and pavement all can split and crack over time. Repairing or replacing damaged areas can do wonders to freshen up your home’s street view.
11. Create curb appeal even in the city. When you live in the city, it can be hard to personalize your home’s exterior. Work with what you have by adding neat window planters, glossy black shutters, good lighting and clearly visible house numbers.

February is a time of year to indulge in home comforts like cooking big-batch meals, reading in the afternoon and watching movies with the family. Here are a dozen ideas to add to your to-do list this month, from the necessary (clearing sidewalks of snow and ice, say) to the just-for-fun (treating yourself to weekly flowers).

Things to Check Off Your List in an Hour or Less

1. Rotate your mattress. Before you put on a fresh set of sheets, take an extra minute to rotate the mattress if you haven’t done so recently. Rotating your mattress every few months will help it wear more evenly and extend its life (and comfort).

2. Pack up a bag of old sheets and towels to donate. If you bought new sheets or towels during January white sales, make some room by letting go of an old set or two. Homeless shelters and some churches will accept donations of bedding and towels in good condition, and animal shelters are often in need of towels. (Check that donations are being currently accepted.) Really worn linens can be cut up and used as rags or dropped in a textile recycling bin.

3. Clean entryway floors. If winters are cold where you are, road salt and melting snow can mean entryway floors take a beating. Pick up clutter and give the floors a good mopping.

To keep floors looking their best between cleanings, stash a few old towels in a basket near the door to wipe up messes.

4. Keep sidewalks and entryways free of ice and snow (even while you’re away). Ice and snow can make walkways dangerous for visitors. Aim to shovel snow promptly, and sprinkle gravel, straw or wood chips to provide traction. Frequent light shoveling is better than letting the snow build up. And if you plan to be away during an expected winter storm, hire someone to clear the sidewalk and front steps of your home while you’re gone. Your neighbors and mail carrier will thank you.

Tackle These Tasks Over a Weekend

5. Cook to stock up your freezer. A few hours of cooking on a weekend can produce major dividends if you focus your efforts on big-batch suppers that can be frozen and reheated later.

Knowing that you have homemade soup, stew, chili or casseroles in the freezer makes facing weeknight dinners much less stressful. Just add crusty bread and a simple salad and dinner will be ready in no time.

6. Organize bookshelves. Pull out volumes that you didn’t enjoy or are finished with and sell or donate them, leaving a bit of extra room on each shelf for new titles. And if you get distracted by beloved old books you had forgotten about, just roll with it. After all, there are few better places to spend a winter afternoon than in a comfortable chair with a good book.

7. Refresh your movie-watching zone. Winter is a good time to catch up on movies you missed in the theater or to binge-watch your favorite shows. So why not make your movie-watching zone as comfy and cozy as possible? Start by vacuuming the floors and upholstery (using a vacuum attachment) and by clearing away clutter. Next, assess your collection of movies and games, donating extras to charity. Finally, make sure there are plenty of comfortable pillows and throws and lighting that can be dimmed.

8. Boost warmth. Stay toasty and save on energy bills by blocking drafty doors with door sweeps or door snakes and warming up with rugs, throws and duvets. For even more energy savings, shut doors to unused rooms, move furniture away from heating vents and close the chimney flue when it’s not in use.

9. Check bathrooms for moisture, mildew and mold. It can be hard to give bathrooms enough ventilation when the house is closed up tight for winter.

Unfortunately, that buildup of moisture can lead to mildew or even harmful mold. Give the bathroom a thorough cleaning, paying special attention to grout, the ceiling and any other areas showing signs of excess moisture.

10. Clean the dryer vent (and check for blockages outside). Having the buildup of lint cleaned from your dryer vent at least once a year is essential to keeping your dryer working efficiently and preventing a potential dryer fire. In winter, snow can block the exterior vent, so take a walk outside your home to inspect the vent and remove snow or debris if needed.

Maintenance and Extras to Budget for This Month

11. Start planning for a spring or summer home sale. If you’re considering putting your home on the market this year, it’s a good idea to start the process now. Set a timetable, interview potential real estate agents and make a list of projects that need to get done to help your home show well.

12. Indulge in weekly fresh flowers. With Valentine’s Day happening this month, the markets will be filled with fresh flowers at good prices. Treat your home to a bouquet of fresh-cut blooms once a week to add a little cheer — spring may still be a ways off, but that doesn’t mean your dining table can’t look like a garden in bloom!

This article first
appeared on houzz.com.