It is true, we are still in the heat of summer, but now is a good time to plan ahead for the coming seasons. Those who live in very cold climates such as Sweden, use the summer to cut and stack their fire wood, grow vegetables, and make repairs to their homes. While this may not apply to us, there are certainly at least a few important things to take care of now. Of course this might include getting out your winter coat, your boots, and putting away the summer gear until next year, but in addition to preparing your wardrobe for the winter, you should also prepare your home (as well as your mindset,) to make sure that the season is joyful, not filled with inconveniences that could have been avoided. I've compiled 6 tips to help you prepare your home for winter, so take a look!
Make Your Home Decor Say Winter
Embrace the season with cozy texture, sparkling lights and seasonal visual cues that give you joy! Add a carpet or small throw rug to a hard floor, change out couch pillows for something soft and furry or hand knit, add a pile of blankets or afghans, fill a tray with candles, put up some tiny lights, buy a new lamp or two, or even change light bulbs to something softer. If you have hooks near the entrance, hang beautiful winter items there, like hand knit scarves and mittens, which means you may need to take up knitting?
Get Your Kitchen Ready For Winter
A wonderful way to embrace winter is by of course preparing and serving food and drink that uses seasonal produce and quite simply keeps us warm. During the winter many are home quite a bit more, so it is a great time to spend more time preparing food, learning some new recipes and maybe even baking that sourdough bread you've been dreaming of? Embrace a new culinary ritual like brewing and serving tea, for example, which could really be a wonderful way to embrace winter! There are so many wonderful tea pots on the market as well as literature to help you learn everything you need to know, from basic to more advanced. I'd say start with some vintage tea cups or a great cast iron Japanese tea pot, and go from there!
Make The Shift Towards Indoor Activities
Winter naturally forces us to stay at home more, which means more time for family and more time to devote to developing or engaging in hobbies and activities that we love! Plan ahead in order to have everything on hand when that winter storm forces you to simply stay put! Take up knitting, start a sketchbook practice, build models, play some new games, or even learn to play a musical instrument! Fill your heart by finally getting around to doing that one indoor thing you've been thinking about for years, and your winter will be truly memorable!
Make Sure Your Furnace Is In Working Order
One of the most important things you can do to get your home ready for winter, especially if you are in a cold environment, is getting your furnace in working order. You'll want to handle your heating repair and any other similar jobs well before you actually need your furnace, as you never want to be without it on a very cold day. As a result, we recommend getting it checked out sometime in the fall. Even if you haven’t experienced any furnace-related issues, it’s still a good idea to get an annual inspection. Someone will come check and test your furnace, to make sure it is working properly and ready for the winter.
Ensure Your Home Has a Proper Seal
In the winter, one of your primary goals is to keep the cold air outside, and the warm air inside. Unfortunately, small air gaps or leaks in your walls can easily let cold air in, and warm air out. These can be anywhere, but are often around windows and doors. Before the cold weather hits, consider air sealing your home. This involves finding the air gaps, and filling or repairing them to ensure your home has a tight seal. Not only will this keep your space more comfortable, but it will also save you money as your furnace won’t have to work as hard to heat the home.
Clean Out Your Gutters
Cleaning your gutters is always important, but especially before winter. If there are blockages in your gutters when winter hits, the stuck water will freeze and can warp or damage not only the gutters, but also your home. There is also the potential for ice dams, which can be quite dangerous if they fall and hit someone or something.
Also, when it eventually melts, you need a place for all the water to go. If your gutters are all clogged up, the water from the melted snow and ice will overflow and could lead to water damage inside your home. Mildew and mold can also find their way into your home if you’re not careful, so take time to clean out your gutters in the fall, just before the snow and winter arrives.
Wishing you a warm, stress free, and productive winter!
