August has passed, school has started and the weather is starting to cool down. These are all signs that America’s favorite season is fast approaching. It’s an ideal time to begin home improvement projects since you don’t have to contend with the brutal summer heat. Here are 12 upgrades to make your home feel more classy this fall.
- Repair the Roof
The roof is a tricky part of the house to work on. It gets unbearably hot during the summer, while spring and winter have too much precipitation. Early autumn has the ideal weather for inspecting and repairing your home’s roof. You can fix any loose or missing shingles, patch up small leaks and ensure it’s prepared for the harsh snowstorms ahead.
- Clean the Gutters
While you’re working on the roof, you might as well clean the gutters, too. Fall and winter are the most difficult seasons for gutters due to all the dead leaves and snowstorms. They need to be ready for the upcoming weather changes, so give them a cleanout now to stay ahead of the curve. Check for holes, cracks, sagging points and other vulnerabilities.
- Freshen up the Front Door
The front door plays an important role in establishing curb appeal, but it’s also a major contributor to your home’s energy costs. Replacing your current door with a steel version will help keep warm air inside during the fall, making it one of the best energy-saving additions to your home. This upgrade also gives you a chance to switch to a new color.
- Power Wash the Exterior
A power wash will help your home’s exterior really pop this fall. It will annihilate stains and debris and make the house look 10 years younger. Power washing is also safe for any surface, including wood and vinyl siding. Just use a nozzle with lower pressure to avoid removing the paint.
- Build a Fire Pit
A fire pit would make a great addition to your home’s outdoor setup. You and your family can enjoy fall’s cool evenings and spend more time outside when winter arrives. A fire pit also makes a great centerpiece for social gatherings. Humans have been sharing stories around blazing fires since the beginning, and this will never go out of style.
- Refinish the Deck or Patio
Decks and patios get a lot of usage during the summer. Take this opportunity to refinish or re-stain them before the cold weather sets in. Freezing temperatures and snowstorms can significantly damage vulnerable wood and pavers. Knocking out this project will preserve your outdoor hangout spot for next year.
- Add Seasonal Landscaping Features
Plants undergo major changes from summer to winter. During the transitional season of autumn, your garden should have various fall-friendly species to reflect those changes. Don’t go overboard on the reds and oranges, though, because you’ll see plenty of those colors when the trees start to turn.
Speaking of trees, it’s important to trim back any branches near your home. Snow and ice will weigh them down during the winter, creating a safety hazard. Chopping these branches will also make the dreaded annual leaf cleanup project easier.
- Add a New Flooring Style
Now we’re getting into the indoor renovations. Adding new flooring is the best thing you can do to make your home feel classy. Hardwood, vinyl or laminate floors with a neutral color palette go with just about everything and make for a perfect base in any room. These floors will last for decades with proper care, so you should get a full return on your investment.
- Upgrade Your HVAC System
HVAC systems work overtime to heat the home during the winter. Temperatures are still at moderate levels, and now is the best time to make an upgrade. You can completely replace your system without overheating or freezing the house. Consider adding an air quality monitor to ensure your home stays pollutant-free when the winter weather forces you to stay inside.
Guests who enter a home with proper air circulation will know it immediately. They’re less vulnerable to allergic reactions, can breathe more easily and feel more comfortable overall.
- Weatherstrip Your Doors and Windows
Weatherstripping the doors and windows is another upgrade to improve your home’s air quality. You can invest in standard foam weatherstrips, but the U.S. Department of Energy also has a list of alternative DIY options that are just as effective. Guests might not see these small features, but they will certainly notice the results.
- Install Some Skylights
The days get shorter and the nights get longer at this time of year. Excessive darkness is one of the main causes of seasonal affective disorder, so you should find ways to get more sunlight exposure. Skylights are great affordable natural light sources, helping brighten the home and everyone’s mood.
- Add Ambient Lighting
You should also illuminate your home with some classy ambient lighting. Overhead lights can be too bright and overbearing, but subtle ambient fixtures add just the right amount of warmth to the room. They’re also more energy-efficient than larger overhead fixtures, so the upgrade should be a no-brainer.
Spoil Your Home This Fall
Homes accumulate a lot of damage throughout the year and deserve special upgrades now and then. Spoil your house this fall with the above outdoor and indoor renovations. They will impress your guests, prepare your residence for winter and promote more family time.
