When you can’t get outside (or simply don’t want to!), some people like lounging on the sofa, while others prefer to get working on the space they love.
There’s no better time for DIY than when it’s dreary outside. You can keep yourself busy, stay out of the cold, and make your space even more enjoyable to be in during winter!
If you’re looking for something to do to improve your house in winter, here are our 10 favorite winter DIY home projects you can do while it’s raining!
#1. Repaint your interiors
Make your days spent inside feel brighter by giving your interiors a fresh coat of paint. Add pastel colors to your home office, refresh the ceilings to maximize natural light, or create a feature wall in a bedroom, lounge, or hallway. Most painting jobs can be done in a day, so you can start and finish before the rain has a chance to stop!
#2. Convert the basement
When the days outside are drab, make the most of your indoor spaces and convert the basement into something more useful. Decide what’s best for your family home and create a simple remodeling plan to get you there. Basements are excellent places for home gyms, art studios, spare bedrooms, playrooms, or practical utility areas.
Note – you might need a permit for this one, so be sure to check with your jurisdiction, and find a good designer to help you make sure everything is legal! This is an easy project to get a builder for in the winter as well, since the work is indoors and less likely to be affected by bad winter weather.
#3. Refinish your doors and frames
Dark wood can make your home feel pleasantly rustic – or painfully gloomy. Sanding your doors to bring out the natural wood can accentuate the light in your house. Tackle your doorframes, too, with paint or a lighter stain (like a natural or white wood finish) to give your entryways a full refresh!
#4. Freshen up bathroom silicone, caulk, and grouting
If the winter season inspires you to spend more time in the tub, make it an enjoyable space to be in. Instead of remodeling your bathroom, renew the silicone to rid yourself of mold, recaulk cracks, and/or complete a deep clean of the tile grouting (or renew it entirely). Your bathroom will feel brand new again in no time!
#5. Insulate your attic
Get ready for the cold and spend the weekend insulating your attic. Beefing up existing insulation, or replacing it entirely, can boost temperatures and eliminate cold spots. It can even shave a few dollars off your bills each month! Plus, you and your family can use the space more freely over winter as an extra hideout, storage area, or playroom.
#6. Add new handles to cabinets, closets, doors, and drawers
Old drawers and cabinets can feel dated when you’ve had them for a while. If you’re bored of your current décor, a simple winter home DIY project is to switch the handles to better suit your style. Get matching knobs for all cabinets in a room, or be bold and add eclectic handles for each. Find your style and get unscrewing!
#7. Refresh the flooring
Believe it or not, changing the flooring is considered a budget-friendly way to elevate your home. Flooring attracts the most eye-space in a room, so changing it can unveil a completely new look – without a huge expense! Go big by renewing the flooring in a hallway, bedroom, lounge, or dining area. Or keep it a short winter home DIY project with a smaller area, like a porch, mudroom, or utility space.
#8. Reorganize kitchen cupboards
Remodeling your kitchen may be the dream, but if it’s off the cards right now, there are other ways to spruce up where you cook. Reorganize the pantry and kitchen cupboards with custom-made storage, slide-out shelves, a narrow accessory cabinet, or a built-in trash area.
#9. Renew accessories & interior design
Another winter home DIY project you can start on a rainy day is a refresh of your interior design. Grab your umbrella and head to the store with a pre-set budget. Find new décor to transform a room’s entire theme. You’ll be amazed at how different a space can look with new shelves, photos, statement décor, lampshades, or a change in rug!
#10. Install underfloor heating
Ditch those cold kitchen tiles for good this year and install underfloor heating before winter starts. It’s comfortable, safe, space-saving, and energy-efficient. It can also add value to your home! Plus, ditching radiators for a hidden heating system makes way for more kitchen cabinets – which is perfect if you’re remodeling soon.
Summary
Winter weather can make starting a big remodel tough (it is an excellent time to plan one though!). Most builders won’t pour concrete or start framing in bad weather, so instead, use the time inside! When there’s nothing to do outside, giving your indoor space a refresh – with new paint, accessories, or built-in cabinets – is a perfect way to feel happier during the cold season.
