The Home Improvement Projects to Tackle Each Month in 2018

What's on your home improvement or maintenance to-do list for 2018? Rather than rushing to complete your projects all at once, try taking on a handful each season for a more productive and less stressful year. Here’s your month-by-month guide to achieving a clean, renovated, and well-kept home.

January: Improve Interior Doors

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How to Paint Interior Doors

Open yourself up to new possibilities in the new year by upgrading boring interior doors. Choose solid four-panel doors for a classic look, or create a bold statement with a coat of bright paint and eye-catching hardware.


Related: Welcome Home: 11 Fresh Ways to Spruce Up Your Front Door

Zillow Digs home in Winnetka, IL

February: Swap Your Light Fixtures

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Upgrade Your Light Fixtures

Have the winter blues got you down? Brighten up dark corners of the house with fun, decorative light fixtures. Also consider using smart color-changing LED bulbs that allow you to set the desired color temperature.


Related: 10 Classic Ways to Brighten a Dark Room

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March: Get Organized

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Smart Storage Solutions

Supercharge your spring cleaning by installing new storage solutions in your home. Whether you hang some wall shelves or assemble a series of bookcases, you'll be on your way to better organization in no time!


Related: 15 Sneaky Tricks to Double Your Storage Space

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April: Lay Pavers

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How to Lay Pavers

Get the yard ready for spring by laying a new paver pathway through the garden, a project that will give your outdoor space more dimension and character. You can opt for a formal brick walkway or simply place a few granite stepping-stones into the grass for a more rustic look.


Related: 7 Thrifty Designs for a DIY Walkway

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May: Patch Your Walls

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How to Use Spackle on Walls

Homeowners tend to move wall decorations around from time to time, leaving annoying nail holes and chipped paint scattered in their wake. Grab some spackle and fix the eyesores in a weekend, which should give you enough time for the spackle to dry overnight before you touch up the walls with paint.


Related: 21 Brilliant Hacks for Everyday Home Repairs

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June: Install Ceiling Fans

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How to Install a Ceiling Fan

Save money on air conditioning by hanging new ceiling fans to keep the air circulating throughout your home. You can do most of the prep work yourself, but be sure to work with an electrician to safely handle any necessary wiring.


Related: 12 Clever Hacks to Help You Beat the Summer Heat

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July: Upgrade Your Shower Head

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Low-Flow Shower Head

Cut down on your water bill by investing in a low-flow shower head. It's an easy switch, and when it's done you'll be able to enjoy a luxurious shower without worrying about wasting too much water.


Related: 14 Sneaky Ways to Save Money on Your Water Bill

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August: Paint an Accent Wall

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How to Paint an Accent Wall

Add a pop of color to your living space by painting one wall in your home. The unexpected design element will add visual impact, and because you're painting only a limited area, the project is relatively simple and cheap.


Related: 13 Weirdly Awesome Ways to Paint a Room

Zillow Digs home in Issaquah, WA

September: Install Crown Molding

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How to Install Crown Molding

Crown molding makes any home look classy, and it can even hide flaws and crooked walls. But while crown molding is affordable, it’s also time-consuming to install, so start with high-impact areas of your home like the entryway or living room.


Related: 10 Ways to Reinvent Any Room with Crown Molding

Zillow Digs home in Kensington, MD

October: Organize Kitchen Cabinets

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How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets

To streamline your kitchen storage, install several different configurations of gliding roll-out systems in the cabinets. No more rummaging through dark shelves to find a matching pot lid!


Related: 11 “Zero Dollar” Ways to Organize Your Kitchen Cabinets

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November: Refresh Your Backsplash

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New Backsplash Ideas

Amp yourself up for the holiday cooking season by refreshing your kitchen backsplash with new ceramic or glass tiles. Easy enough to do in a weekend, this minor renovation will make your kitchen look entirely new.


Related: 12 Inventive Ideas for a Budget Backsplash

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December: Reinvent Your Fireplace

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Modern Fireplace Ideas

Get your fireplace ready for winter by giving it a modern upgrade. Get rid of outdated tile or brickwork, and opt instead for lighter paint colors and natural wood tones for a more contemporary aesthetic.


Related: The 21 Most Stunning Fireplaces on the Internet

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DIYs to Try

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DIYs to Try

While these home projects are a bit out of necessity, consider taking on some DIYs that are for fun. Regardless of your skill level, try out these creative DIYs for your house.

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Don't Miss!

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If you have the money to hire a handyman for every household woe, go ahead. But if you want to hang on to your cash and exercise some self-sufficiency, check out these clever products that solve a million and one little problems around the house. Go now!