Some DIY projects are perfectly suited to wintertime. Chemicals used some in DIY projects may perform better in winter temperatures. It may be psychologically easier to set aside a weekend to complete a DIY project when the weather isn't teasing you outdoors. If there's heavy work involved, some projects may be more comfortably performed without summer's heat adding to the misery. And then there are DIY projects ideal for winter because they give you a head start on spring.
Jumpstart Spring Planting
Whether it's beauty or bounty your spring plantings are designed to accomplish, winter is the perfect time to start seedlings. By the time it warms up outdoors, you'll have plants ready for transplant. Flowering varieties may already be in bloom, offering an instant yard pick-me-up when spring comes.
What you need for this DIY project is soil, seeds, containers, and possibly some targeted lighting. Check seed packets for information on how long it takes from sowing to transplant readiness, taking note of your area's final frost dates.
Freshen Interior Walls
Better Homes and Gardens advises interior painting be done in moderate temperature and humidity. Ignoring this advice can lead to paint blistering, according to Benjamin Moore. If your climate features high summer heat and humidity, or wildly fluctuating spring and fall temperatures, winter is a perfect time to freshen up the walls.
Remember to leave three to four hours drying time at the manufacturer's recommended drying temperatures before colder night temperatures set in.
Add Luxury to the Laundry
The laundry room is often one of the most neglected spaces in the house, suffering from good intentions never realized. Frequently consigned to the basement, it may be an unfinished or marginally finished space overdue for sprucing up. Assess what your laundry room has and what it lacks. At minimum, make sure there's a washer, dryer, utility sink, storage system, sturdy table for folding, and sorters for separating clothes according to washing requirements.
Consider installing a high efficiency washer. While the price tag is typically $500 and up, rebate programs often apply (check with your local utility company or state energy authority) and over time an HE washer will bring down both your water bill and, by decreasing necessary clothes drying time, your electric or gas bill.
Install a fold-down ironing board to maximize space use and encourage ironing on the spot.
Make your laundry room inviting by placing a cozy chair, reading lamp, and rug in the corner, along with a basket of magazines. Hang up a painting or two. When you're ready to transfer loads but the machine's not done, settle in instead of running out.
