The holidays may still feel a little ways off, but November and December have a way of sneaking up quickly. Before you know it, you’ll be making Thanksgiving plans, decorating for Christmas, welcoming family and friends into your home, and spending more time indoors.
That makes early fall a great time to look around your home and take care of the repairs and projects you’ve been putting off.
Maybe it’s a few small repairs that have been on your to-do list for months, or perhaps there’s a room you’ve been wanting to update before guests arrive. Either way, getting started now gives you plenty of time to get your home ready without trying to squeeze everything in at the last minute.
Here are some indoor home projects worth considering before the holiday season arrives.
Take Care of Those Small Repairs You’ve Been Ignoring
Every home has those little things that aren’t necessarily emergencies but are still annoying to look at or live with.
A loose railing, damaged trim, sticking door, cracked caulk, or hole in the drywall can easily become something you simply stop noticing. But when you’re preparing your home for guests, those small imperfections suddenly stand out.
Walk through your home and make a list of anything that needs attention. This could include:
- Damaged or loose trim
- Drywall holes or cracks
- Sticking or squeaky doors
- Loose stair railings
- Damaged baseboards
- Cracked or deteriorating caulk
- Cabinet doors that aren’t working properly
- Shelving that needs to be repaired or installed
- Small areas of water damage
- Fixtures or hardware that need to be secured
Taking care of several small repairs at once can make your home feel noticeably more finished and well-maintained.
Give Your Bathroom a Refresh
Your bathrooms are likely to get more use when you have holiday guests, making fall a good time to address any issues you’ve been putting off.
A bathroom update doesn’t necessarily mean a complete renovation. Smaller projects can still make the space more functional and attractive.
You might replace outdated fixtures, repair drywall, update trim, replace worn flooring, improve storage, or make other targeted improvements. If your bathroom has an outdated look or doesn’t function as well as you’d like, a small remodel could also make a noticeable difference.
Getting this work completed before the holidays means you won’t have to worry about construction while you’re preparing for guests.
Get the Kitchen Ready for Entertaining
For many families, the kitchen becomes the busiest room in the house during the holidays. Between preparing meals, baking, serving food, and gathering with family, you’ll quickly notice anything that isn’t working the way it should.
This is a good time to look at your cabinets, countertops, storage, lighting, and other areas of the kitchen.
You may not need a full kitchen renovation. A smaller project, such as improving storage, updating certain finishes, repairing cabinets, or making another targeted improvement, may be enough to make the space more functional.
If you’ve been thinking about a larger kitchen remodel, starting the conversation in the fall can also help you determine what can realistically be completed before the holidays and what may be better saved for later.
Don’t Forget the Guest Room
If family or friends will be staying with you during the holidays, take a look at your guest room now rather than waiting until a few days before they arrive.
Look for anything that needs to be repaired, updated, or finished. Maybe there’s damaged drywall, worn trim, a door that doesn’t close properly, or shelving that could use some attention.
You don’t have to completely redesign the room. A handful of small improvements can make the space feel cleaner, more comfortable, and more inviting.
And if you’ve been using the guest room as a place to store unfinished projects, this may be the motivation you need to finally get it back into usable shape.
Improve Storage Before the Holiday Clutter Arrives
Holiday decorations, coats, gifts, serving dishes, and extra supplies can quickly take over your home.
If you’re already struggling with storage, adding more functional space before the holidays could make a big difference.
Consider projects such as built-in shelving, closet improvements, mudroom storage, additional kitchen storage, or other custom solutions that make better use of the space you already have.
The best part is that these improvements aren’t just useful during the holiday season. Better storage can make your home more functional throughout the entire year.
Consider a Small Remodel
If you’ve been thinking about remodeling a room but don’t want to take on a massive renovation, fall can be a good time to explore smaller projects.
A small remodel could involve updating a bathroom, improving a kitchen area, creating better storage, finishing an unfinished space, or making changes that improve the way a room functions.
These projects can give you the improvements you’re looking for without necessarily requiring a complete overhaul of your home.
The key is to start planning early. Depending on the project, materials, scheduling, and the scope of the work, you’ll want to leave yourself enough time for everything to be completed before holiday gatherings begin.
Start Your Holiday Home To-Do List Now
The best time to start preparing your home for the holidays isn’t the week before Thanksgiving. By looking ahead in September and October, you have time to identify what needs to be repaired, decide which improvements are worth tackling, and schedule the work before the holiday rush.
Take a walk through your home and make a list. Which repairs have you been putting off? Which room could use a refresh? Is there a small remodeling project that would make your home more functional for your family?
You may be surprised by how much of a difference a handful of completed projects can make.
If you have home repairs or a small remodeling project on your list, Louisville Handyman & Remodeling can help you determine what needs to be repaired, updated, or improved. From interior repairs and carpentry to remodeling projects and home improvements, getting started now can help you enjoy a more comfortable and functional home throughout the holiday season and beyond.