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Winter is the perfect season to tackle some simple indoor DIY projects that can enhance the appearance and function of your home. You’re already stuck inside, so why not take advantage of this time to help elevate your space?
When it’s too cold to be outside, you can still make your home look and feel better without doing major renovations, says Josh Riutta, general contractor, roofer, and owner of Mikku and Sons Roofing in Phoenix, Arizona. “There are plenty of DIYs that are fun, quick, and really satisfying,” he says. “Winter DIYs are all about making your home more comfortable, functional, and beautiful—without stress.” Here are five expert-approved projects to make your space feel fresh and more put together without major time, financial investment, or venturing outdoors.
Give doors and cabinets a facelift.
Old doors and knobs can drag an entire house down, says Riutta. “Painting your doors or swapping out the handles for something modern—like matte black or brushed nickel—instantly upgrades the space.” This is a simple, satisfying project that takes only an afternoon.
In addition, refreshing your kitchen cabinet hardware is the fastest way to make dated cabinets look current, advises Eric Goranson, interior designer in Lake Oswego, Oregon, and host of The Around the House Show. He considers knobs and pulls as jewelry for your kitchen. “It’s cheap, low effort, and dramatically updates the whole room, which provides a huge perceived value boost,” says Goranson.
“Unscrew the old knobs and pulls, drill a couple new holes if the spacing’s off, and install fresh ones,” advises Goranson. Just make sure to measure the width of your pulls and choose replacements that match the size. Trending finishes right now include brushed brass, matte black, aged bronze, or even mixed metals for that layered look. Consider hardware with sculptural shapes or subtle etched details that add personality without overdoing it.
Upgrade lighting features.
Better lighting can completely change how a room feels, especially in the dark winter months when we rely on artificial light for more hours during the day. And many lighting projects are easy DIY tasks. “Swapping out old fixtures, adding dimmers, or installing under-cabinet LEDs in the kitchen makes your home more inviting and functional, all without major rewiring,” says Riutta.
Goranson agrees, and suggests replacing old, recessed lights with tunable LEDs that let you shift from warm, cozy 2700K (think soft incandescent glow) to bright, crisp 5000K for tasks. Many are simple retrofits (screw-in or drop-in), dimmable, and app- or voice-controlled, offering an instant modern vibe, plus savings on energy bills.
He also recommends installing smart dimmer switches. “They’re reliable; don’t need a separate hub; and work well with Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit. You control the lights from your phone, by voice, or right at the wall; dim them low for movie nights or crank them up for cooking,” says Goranson. Start in the living room or kitchen where you’ll notice it most.
Improve storage space.
Being cooped up inside all winter can lead to disorganization and clutter appearing throughout your home. This is an opportune time to assess your storage solutions to keep clutter under control. Consider updating or adding new storage options like shelving units, floating shelves, plastic bins, baskets, wall hooks, and more. “Closets are often overlooked, but a little upgrade goes a long way,” suggests Riutta.
“Installing adjustable shelves or double-hanging rods makes your space more organized and looks cleaner than the standard wire racks you usually get. You’ll notice the difference every day.”
Modernize HVAC accessories.
HVAC isn’t usually thought of as décor, but people still notice it, especially when it looks cheap or outdated, says Robert Lee of Lee Air Services in Southlake, Texas. He suggests installing a smart thermostat and replacing old metal floor vents with decorative grilles to keep HVAC updated.
Goranson sees the advantage of taking on this type of DIY project as well. He recommends installing new bathroom exhaust fans that are much quieter, such as the Panasonic WhisperGreen Select. “They’re incredibly quiet, energy-efficient, and let you pick airflow speeds,” notes Goranson. “Better moisture removal means less fogged mirrors after showers, faster mold prevention, and healthier air overall. Most fit right into existing openings and don’t require major drywall work. You’ll wonder how you lived with the old one.”
Reimagine bookshelves.
Transforming bookshelves with some unexpected bright color is a fun, effective way to add personality to a room, says Christine Tuttle, interior designer and owner of Christine Tuttle Design in Boston, Massachusetts. Most bookshelves are white, so painting them bright blue, a warm terra-cotta, or a leaf green over a weekend is a relatively inexpensive DIY project that can instantly refresh a space, says Tuttle. “An even easier task is to paint only the back interior wall of the bookcase with a strong color,” says Tuttle. Leave the shelves and face frame the original off-white trim color. “This provides a cheerful pop of color that peeks through the items on the shelves,” she explains.
Be sure to choose a no- or low-volatile organic compound (VOC) paint and pick a mild day for painting so you feel more comfortable keeping windows open for proper ventilation. Even when using no-VOC paint, painting without adequate ventilation can cause headaches and respiratory issues.
