Fall, a time for pumpkin spice, sweaters, and home improvement. Yes, you heard that right, fall is one of the best times in Rochester to start home improvement projects. Whether you’re looking to just tackle small improvements or you want to start a total home remodeling project, there are several great home improvement ideas for fall to consider.
If you have been thinking about improving your home, here are five projects that you should consider tackling this fall before winter sets in.
1. Update or Repair Your Roof
When considering home improvement ideas for fall, you should look upwards towards your roof. Many roofers recommend having your roof inspected once, preferably twice, every year. Once in the spring and again in the fall before winter. If you didn’t have an inspection in the spring, this fall is the perfect time to get it checked out. The reason for these inspections is to ensure that there is no damage from summer storms that could potentially compromise the roof during the winter. Damage like this can be difficult to see from the ground, and that makes it doubly important that you get a certified roofer to check things out up top. If there are any weak spots, you should have them fixed to ensure that no water can leak in from melting snow and that no pests seeking warmth can get into your attic. If you do need a new roof, fall is the best time to undergo roof installation, as it isn’t too hot and it can save you a lot of problems come winter, such as water damage in the attic.
Speaking of the attic, fall is also a great time to shore up the roof insulation to ensure that excessive heat isn’t lost during the winter. A poorly insulated attic is one of the easiest ways for heat to escape and it can drive your energy bills up as well as overwork your HVAC unit. Adding additional insulation can help prevent this, and keep your home as warm and cozy as possible.
2. Update Your Garage
When it comes to home improvement ideas for fall, you shouldn’t overlook your garage. If you are currently using your garage as a glorified storage unit, you may want to consider investing in vertical storage solutions to help get everything off of the ground. This can help protect the items that you are storing, as well as give you more room to park your car.
During the winter, being able to park your car indoors can save you from having to scrape ice off the windows every morning, and it can help prevent your car from wearing out prematurely. If you’re not looking to park your car inside, you can still update your garage for additional uses.
For example, insulated garages can make a great hang-out area for teens, or it could also be a great mancave or workshop. Using it for these purposes helps insulate the noise that loud teens or shouting football fans can produce from the rest of the house. If used as a workshop, it could also help keep the mess under control and out of the main house.
Regardless of what you choose to use your garage for, you may also consider investing in a new garage door when thinking about home improvement ideas for fall. Garage door installation should only be handled by professionals, as it can be quite dangerous. However, a new door can provide more security and even increase the value of your home. The security aspect can be especially important since garage doors can be one of the easiest ways for burglars to break in. That said, newer garage doors can provide more security and make it more difficult for would-be thieves to hack the door opener code.
3. Update Your Yard
No home improvement ideas for fall list would be complete without taking your yard and landscaping into account. While you may think this isn’t as important, since you can only enjoy it for a short time before winter comes, fall is actually one of the best times to get started on these projects so that they can be ready for next spring.
Arborists can help you address any issues with your trees, such as dead, diseased, or dying ones. Trees like this can pose a danger to you and to others should they weaken during the winter and fall. They may also be weakened during the winter and fall during the next spring storm. This can cause damage to your home, your neighbors’ homes, cars, and possibly pedestrians, depending on where it is located.
Another of the best home improvement ideas for fall includes having a fence installed for privacy. Fence installation is great for the fall, as you can then enjoy it fully next spring without having to wait for it to be constructed. Fenced areas can also make it easier if you have dogs, as during the winter you can let them out without worrying about having to put them on a leash and brave the cold yourself.
You may also consider forestry mulching this fall if you have a lot of brownout vegetation on your property. Fall is perfect for forestry mulch, as the plants will start dying and drying out, making them easier to get rid of. This can help provide you with more space to work with come spring, and you may even consider using this cleared plot as a garden space or water feature.
During the fall, you may also consider installing a shed on your property so that you can store your lawnmowers, garden equipment, and patio furniture so that it doesn’t get left out in the snow. It will also save you from having to put them in your garage, giving you space for your car, as is mentioned above.
4. Remodel Your Kitchen
When it comes to home improvement ideas for fall, kitchen remodeling is another of the most popular options and it can give you a great space to utilize during the winter and beyond. When remodeling your kitchen, you can choose to go as large or as small as you would like, and the limits are really only defined by what you want to change.
For example, if the flow of your kitchen is a hindrance, and it makes getting things done difficult, you may consider updating the layout so that it is more conducive. If the sink is in a bad place and it makes doing the dishes more of a chore than necessary, you should consider installing an island and moving it there so that you have more space to work with.
Storage improvement is another thing that you should consider updating, especially if appliances that you rarely use are hogging space on the counter. By improving your storage, you can help give yourself a more functional kitchen space, while still having access to the things that you need when you need them.
You may also consider updating the flooring, cabinets, and backsplash in your kitchen, which can help transform the space and make it look entirely different. When considering flooring, you should look for easy-to-maintain options such as porcelain tile, engineered wood, and natural stone. These options are durable, easy to care for, and they will last you for many, many years.
Your cabinets could also be worth replacing or refurbishing at this time, and if you opt to replace them, you can look for cabinets that increase storage space and improve the appearance of your entire kitchen. If you opt to get them in a bold color, such as robin’s egg blue, you can even make them an eye-catching focal point.
For the backsplash, you have a lot of choices, many of which can also be as eye-catching as bold cabinets. While not all kitchens have a tiled backsplash, they can be worth investing in as they are easier to clean than paint, and they can help your kitchen appear more stylish and modern.
Regardless of what updates you decide to do in your kitchen this fall, you should consider a fire suppression system install, as it can help keep your home safer than a fire detector alone. Although you certainly hope that it will never be needed, a suppression system can save your home if a fire ever does end up breaking out.
5. Remodel Your Bathroom
A list of home improvement ideas for fall wouldn’t be complete without bathroom remodeling, and there is nothing like a warm bubble bath to help keep the winter cold at bay. As with kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling can take many forms, and you have a wide range of improvements that you can make.
Firstly, you should always have the bathroom inspected for mold, as, due to the moisture, this is one of the best places for it to form. Mold removal should be done first and foremost so that you have a clean and safe foundation to build on.
Once you are sure that there is no mold, or that it has been removed, you can start thinking about improving things like the flooring, walls, vanities, sinks, and tubs or showers. The flooring should be waterproof, and you should never ever use carpet in your bathroom. If it retains moisture, it will be a breeding ground for mold and mildew. The best options for a bathroom include vinyl, ceramic, porcelain, glass, and stone tiles. These are moisture repellant and easy to clean, making them some of the best options to invest in.
As for the walls, tile is best, as paint can often streak after exposure to too much condensation from hot showers. If possible, consider tiling your walls, or using a finish like faux stone instead. Along with preventing streaking, this can also make the whole room easier to clean and maintain.
You could also consider expanding your counter space or adding an extra sink if you have room. It is a great idea if you share the bathroom with a spouse and you both need to get ready at the same time. Along with this, updating your tub and shower can be a great addition, and it will give you something to enjoy all throughout the winter. If you really want to keep it warm and toasty, adding a heat lamp is also something to consider.
Finally, before winter hits, you may want to ensure that your plumbing is up to snuff, and that no pipes are at risk of leaking or busting once it starts freezing. If you have a septic system and have never had a cleaning, you should also consider having one this fall. Septic cleanings are essential every couple of years and the last thing you want is for your septic system to fail during the winter. A frozen ground can make these systems difficult to repair at this time, so taking care of it while the weather is mild will be essential.
Keep in mind what you want to get out of your bathroom, as well as what needs to be done before winter. While some things may take priority, this fall is the best time to get started on this remodeling project.
Tackling Your Home Improvement Ideas For Fall
When it comes to home improvement ideas for fall, these are only five of the many options available for you. Consider what improvements you want to make to your home, as well as the ones you would like to make before winter. Work with your family to come up with a list of the things you want done most, and try to get started as soon as possible this fall, so that you can have what you need done before the first freeze hits.
