Winter Home Projects To Beat The Cold And Clutter

60 Hawken Road Reno, Nevada 89519 | Listed by David Bardelli

Closets bursting at the seams. Kitchen drawers that don’t close. And what’s that odd smell coming from the laundry room? These are all signs that clutter and disorganization have invaded your peaceful abode—it’s time for an intervention.

 

Our frigid Reno/Lake Tahoe winter months are the perfect time to roll up our sleeves and get the whole family involved in tackling home projects to fill those long, chilly weekends. Instead of binge-watching TV until the snow melts, we invite you to promote tranquility in your home with these simple maintenance and improvement tips. Investing today will find you confidently hitting the slopes, knowing your home is snug and safe.

 

HIRE A PROFESSIONAL:

If you’re feeling overwhelmed about decluttering and organizing your home (or, frankly, have better ways to spend your time), consider hiring a professional organizer.  According to Forbes.com, working with a pro can streamline the process of merging your home and daily life seamlessly.

 

 

Purge. Wash. Breathe

 

 Kitchen

– Empty and clean all kitchen drawers, cabinets, and pantries. Check expiration dates and toss anything past its prime. 

– Donate kitchen tools and appliances you no longer use, like that waffle maker you won at last year’s office party.

– Invest in organizers and other storage solutions to maximize space.

– Check under the sink, which tends to collect cleaning products and tools that can be consolidated or disposed of. Inspect for water leaks.

 

 

 Bathrooms

– We all have a stash of sample products lurking under the sink. Edit and toss anything expired.

– Purchase drawer organizers to neatly store all your lotions and potions.

– Don’t forget the linen closet. Empty it; clean, sort, and restock with fewer items.

– Invest in under-sink storage bins and baskets to confine clutter. Inspect for water leaks.

 

Closets

– Pull everything out of your closets, and give the space a good vacuum and cleaning.

– Edit your wardrobe (twice) to assess what needs repairing, donating, or repurposing.  

– Enlist your children to purge clothing and old toys. 

– Add hanging organizers, shelves, and bins to maximize closet space.

TIP: Add storage solution installation to the punch list below.

 

Entryway

– Corral wet boots, dripping coats, and accessories with a rubber mat and bench. 

– Install a row of hooks for hanging coats and bags.

BONUS: Donate unused coats and accessories by year-end and score a tax deduction.

 

 

Park It With Pride

Choose a sunny day, kick the vehicles out, turn on some tunes, and clean this oft-neglected and catch-all space. Sweep away the dried winter road dust our region is famous for. Organize and label storage bins—complete maintenance on tools, bikes, and anything else stored in the garage. A clean, organized garage makes winter projects and hobbies more enjoyable.

 

Laundry Room Revamp 

Take advantage of extra indoor time to give your laundry room some TLC. Pull the washer and dryer away from the wall to clean behind and underneath. Maximize vertical space with hooks, bins, and shelves to store detergent, ironing supplies, dryer sheets, and laundry room essentials. Having everything organized and easily accessible makes doing laundry less tedious. Plus, you might locate that missing sock.

 

 

RESEARCH NOW FOR FUTURE PROJECTS:

 

Winter is an excellent time to research, budget, and plan for upgrades to your home. Investing in Energy Star-rated windows, humidifiers, or insulation can reduce your energy usage and carbon footprint. 

 

Go eco-friendly with improvements such as water or air filtration systems, tankless water heaters, or solar panels. Look into federal or local tax credits and incentives that can help offset the upfront cost.

 

Get Smart For Savings

The right thermostat lets you precisely control your home’s temperature according to your schedule. Research the latest smart thermostat options with tech features like remote access via smartphone, adjustable programs, motion detection, and intelligent learning. Smart thermostats can reduce energy bills by around 10-15% annually.

 

 

CONQUER WINTER SNIFFLES 

 

This time of year, germs love to multiply inside our homes. Make time to clean high-touch areas that may get overlooked for disinfecting. Creating a schedule to disinfect your home will help keep winter illnesses at bay. 

 

Disinfect doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, phones, keyboards, faucets, and countertops. Remember to clean inside appliances like microwaves, refrigerators, and coffee makers. 

BONUS: Commit to using eco-friendly, nature-based cleaning products.

 

 

SAFETY-A CHECK WORTH WRITING 

 

Working smoke detectors, carbon monoxide monitors, and fire extinguishers can save your life. Inspect and test all smoke detectors, which should be updated every 8-10 years. Replace batteries as needed.  

 

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that can be deadly. Make sure you have a CO monitor on every level of the home. Check they are within the recommended replacement date, usually 5-7 years.

 

Your whole family should know where fire extinguishers are stored and how to use them. Contact your local fire department for safety information specific to our alpine region.

 

 

“Jumpstarting your home repairs in winter months can prevent new issues from arising and give you a competitive edge when listing your home during the spring rush.”

Tyler Barrette – Sales Associate Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty

 

MAKE A PUNCH LIST: 

 

Winter is an ideal time to take advantage of contractors’ off-season availability for home repairs and improvements. Building materials and supplies may also be cheaper. Everyday winter punch list items may include:

 

– Drippy faucets or leaky toilets

– Caulking around windows, showers, and exterior

– Grout repair

– Temperamental light switches and electrical outlets

– Installing new organizing systems

 

THE BOTTOM LINE:

 

With the holiday season almost behind us and spring still months away, January is the ideal time to clean, purge, and repair items around your home. Fewer daylight hours mean weekend warriors can dive into larger fix-it projects and upgrades during winter. 

 

By organizing and decluttering your home now, you’ll have more time to shred the slopes and indulge in our world-famous Lake Tahoe winter wonderland.

 

 

Written by: Sandi Solomonson