7 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Fall and Winter

Is your home ready for the change in season?

With fall’s recent arrival and winter coming soon, it’s important to make sure your home is ready for the change in season. Here are a few tips that will keep your home safe and looking fabulous as the cold weather arrives.

1.Decorate for the Season

Decorating for fall and winter holidays can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve run out of ideas for sprucing up your home. Luckily, the internet is filled with do-it-yourself projects that can turn your home into a holiday dream and still keep you on your budget.

Fall Decorations

• Painted pumpkins are inexpensive and make a perfect autumn tradition each year. Pick out a small to medium-sized pumpkin, some craft paint, and glitter, and create a mantel masterpiece.
• Wax-dipped leaves are great scattered on a coffee table or strung up as a decorative garland. The next time you’re outside, pick up a few fall leaves, then simply dip them in melted wax and hang to dry.
• Cotton ball cobwebs work as a simple spooky holiday décor. Take some cotton balls out of your medicine cabinet, pull them apart, and tape them around your home. Add some fake spiders for an extra scare.

Winter Decorations

• Indoor Christmas lights help pull a festive atmosphere into your home. Take a box of traditional outdoor lights and string them around your banister, or clump a cluster around a scented candle for a centerpiece.
• Mason jar tea lights create a winter wonderland with little work. Coat mason jars with frosted spray paint and place tea lights inside—add some red ribbon or holly for flare.
• Boxwood wreaths incorporate fresh greens into your decor without the mess or maintenance. Tie sprigs of boxwood to a wreath frame, and you can repurpose it all year long with different accents.

2. Clean Your Roof and Gutters

Winter weather can wreak havoc on your home without proper maintenance. It’s important every year to check your roof for cracked or missing shingles and to clear off any debris that could hold in moisture. Clogged gutters can also lead to significant water damage, so be sure to grab a ladder and some work gloves to remove any buildup of dirt and leaves.

3. Winterize Your Pipes to Prevent Problems

Cracked and broken pipes can cost thousands of dollars to repair. No homeowner should take a chance at leaving pipes alone for the winter. To winterize your pipes, cut off external water supplies and let water drain from outside sources, including your sprinkler system. To avoid internal damage, insulate pipes and keep your home well heated—especially if you plan on leaving town.

4. Maintain Landscaping

This is your last chance to tend to your trees, garden, and other landscaping needs before the weather gets rough. Some important to-dos include aerating and fertilizing your lawn, removing any dying plants, and covering areas that need to stay warm, like perennials. These steps will save you work in the springtime.

5. Cut Your Cable Package to Save Money

Energy bills can be astronomic in the winter, but there are several ways to combat this monthly dip in your bank account. One way is cutting out unnecessary costs such as cable. Instead of paying over $100 per month, it might be time to cut the cord and look into more affordable entertainment options, such as an online streaming service. And as a bonus, by ditching your old conventional cable system, you won’t have to worry about local outages due to poor weather conditions.

6. Look into Pest Control

Summer might seem like prime time for pests, but with the weather chilling, certain creatures will want to make their way indoors for warmth as well. Did you know a mouse can fit into an opening in your home as small as a dime? Mice, spiders, and cockroaches are just a few of the pests that may be seeking refuge, so be sure to seal any cracks in outdoor pavement, get rid of clutter, and keep food off the ground. If you’ve encountered problems in the past, it might also be a good idea to hire a professional.

7. Finish Remodeling Projects before It’s Too Cold

If you’ve been putting off painting those baseboards or tiling that bathroom, now is the time to get to work. Cold weather can make you feel sluggish, making home improvement a last priority. It’s also dangerous to work on projects that involve painting or gluing when it’s too cold to air out your home.

Fall is also an ideal time to finish any projects involving wood, as this material thrives in 35%–55% humidity. Hardwood floors expand and contract with changes in weather, so try to avoid such projects in extreme temperatures.

Make sure you’re ready for this fall and winter by following these tips so you can save money, decorate like a pro, and even avoid a cold weather catastrophe.