During the winter, people spend a lot of time indoors. Instead of feeling cooped up and suffering from cabin fever, look around your home and consider all of the improvements you can accomplish during this time that you normally wouldn’t want to think about doing when the weather is nice.  Here are some projects that’ll keep you active and help boost value of your home this winter.

1. Refinish a room. Winter is the best time to remodel a room in your home.  Whether you want to finish the basement or redo the powder room, now is the time. Central Washington painters say that they are more available for work in the winter, so if you need dry wall patching and installation, then you more than likely have your pick of time to have the work done!
2. Insulate plumbing. Before finishing the basement, check insulation needs around plumbing and the water heater. If it could use some work, then winter is the best time to address it. If you live in an area prone to extreme cold, then you will be doing yourself a huge favor by preventing burst pipes or water issues should the pipes freeze.
3. Paint the walls. Painting is a great way to improve the home any time of the year.  Putting a fresh coat of paint on the walls not only eases the winter blues mentally, but will also stimulate you into working on other home improvement projects you may have put off. It’s also nice to have your home painted during the winter so you can enjoy the warm weather months outside.
4. Install a programmable thermostat. Adding a programmable thermostat is one of the best, most cost-effective ways to improve your home. When you have a set schedule for temperatures, there won’t be any surprises when you get the monthly energy bill. Update your thermostat to a programmable one during the winter and surprise yourself with how much money you save over the following months.
5. Reorganize your home. With all the time spent indoors, winter is the best time to reorganize and get ahead of spring cleaning. It’s the best time to tackle cleaning projects such as sorting through basement and attic belongings or finally putting together a shelving unit to display collectibles. Make the most of your time indoors by putting the house in order while you are forced to stay inside. You’ll stay mentally focused and have more free time when you can be outdoors again.

Winter blues are no joke. Many people experience a sense of lethargy brought on by the cold and dreary weather. Keeping yourself active by working on home improvement projects stimulates the mind into action and has the added benefit of adding value through upgrading the home.