Winter might not seem like the most ideal time to get some home improvements under your belt, but the truth is that it’s actually a perfect season for home upgrades. Considering that almost 85% of the nation’s homes were built before 1980 and are in need of home improvement, now is as good a time as any to get started. If you’re not sure which projects are best for winter, here are a few ideas to get you started.

Replace Old Windows and Doors

If there’s one project that can upgrade your home and your energy savings, it’s replacing old windows and doors. Start by completing a basic check. When you place your hand around the borders of your windows and doors, do you feel any drafts coming through? Can you smell fresh air even though you’re inside? These are key signs that it’s past time to replace your old windows and doors. The next place to look is your past energy bills. Have costs been steadily climbing over the last few years? While part of those rising costs could be due to your old furnace, which is only designed to function for 15-20 years, it’s possible that drafty doors and windows are also partially to blame. Not only can making this home upgrade help you save and stay warm, but it can be an excellent opportunity to upgrade the appearance of your home, too. And with this project under your belt, you’ll definitely be ready for next winter.

Repaint Interior Rooms

We all get sick of looking at the same four walls sooner or later. But if you’re really getting sick of the color on your walls, now is the perfect time to repaint. A fresh coat of paint can work wonders for your home’s interior, especially in a room where you spend a lot of time. The bedroom, living room, and kitchen are all excellent candidates for a good paint job. The best part? Winter is considered the off-season for most professional painters. So if you’re not able to paint your walls yourself, you’ll likely be able to get a great deal from a local painting company. Not only that but running into scheduling delays is highly unlikely. It’s also possible to invest in a consultation to help pick the perfect color for your interior, too.

Start Planning Future Home Improvements

If your home is already fairly upgraded from past projects, then now is the time to start planning for future improvements. When was the last time you had your HVAC needs assessed? AC units typically need about 20 BTU per square foot of space — is your AC unit too big? Too small? These are issues you can start to address in the winter so you’re fully prepared to tackle them in the early spring. You can also start planning aesthetic upgrades to your home. For instance, your garden might need some sprucing up or a nice change if it’s been relatively the same for the last few years. Your local plant nursery can help you choose native plants that will really bring a breath of fresh air to your landscaping. Not even winter can stop you from planning the perfect front garden for spring, after all.

Upgrading your home during the winter isn’t as tough as it might seem. If you’re not sure where to start, give one of these projects a go!