Cold Weather, Cozy Home: Interior Projects to Consider This Fall 🍂

As the weather starts to cool down and we spend more time indoors, fall is a natural time to take a closer look at how your home is working for you!

Maybe there’s a basement that has been sitting unfinished for years. Maybe your entryway always seems to collect coats and shoes, or your kitchen feels a little too cramped when everyone is home. Or maybe you simply have a room that isn’t being used as well as it could be. 🤔

You don’t necessarily need to take on a major renovation just because fall is here. But it can be a good time to start thinking about what you would like to change and what options may make sense for your home.

Here are a few interior projects worth considering this fall.

Finish an Unused Basement

An unfinished basement can offer a lot of opportunity for additional living space!

Depending on the layout and existing conditions of your home, a basement could become a family room, entertainment space, home office, guest area, playroom, bedroom, bathroom, or a combination of different uses.

Before deciding exactly what you want to build, think about how your family would actually use the space! Do you need more room to gather? A quiet place to work? A dedicated space for guests? More storage?

Starting with how you want the space to function can help guide the layout and make sure you're creating something that will be useful for years to come.

And you don't always have to think about the entire basement as one big project. Depending on the home's layout and the scope of work, there may be ways to plan the space in phases!

Create a More Functional Entryway or Mudroom

Fall and winter have a way of making an entryway's shortcomings pretty obvious!

Coats, boots, shoes, bags, and everything else that comes through the door can quickly turn a small entry into a cluttered space. If your current setup isn't working well, it may be worth considering how the area could be made more functional.

That could mean adding better storage, creating a dedicated drop zone, adding bench seating, or improving the flow between the garage and the rest of the home.

Sometimes the goal isn't to create more square footage. It's simply to make better use of the space you already have!

Update a Bathroom 🚽

Bathrooms get a lot of use, and even small frustrations can become noticeable over time!

Maybe there's not enough storage. Maybe the layout feels cramped. Maybe the finishes are outdated, or the bathroom simply doesn't meet the needs of your family anymore.

A bathroom remodel can be an opportunity to address those issues while creating a space that is more functional and comfortable!

Before choosing finishes or fixtures, think about what isn't working with the current bathroom. Identifying those problems first can help make sure the finished space solves the issues you're actually experiencing.

Rethink Your Kitchen or Dining Space

Fall and winter often mean more meals, gatherings, and time spent at home, which can make an inefficient kitchen or dining area even more noticeable. 😵‍💫

If you're constantly running out of counter space, struggling with storage, or finding that the layout doesn't flow well, it may be time to consider what could be changed!

A kitchen project doesn't always have to mean starting completely from scratch. Depending on the home and the goals of the project, there may be different ways to improve the layout, storage, workspace, or connection between the kitchen and surrounding rooms.

The best kitchen isn't necessarily the biggest one. It's one that works well for the people using it!

Turn an Unused Room Into a Space You’ll Actually Use!

Do you have a room that rarely gets used? Fall can be a good time to think about whether it could serve a better purpose.

An extra room or underused area could potentially become a:

• Home office

• Homework area

• Hobby or craft room

• Reading space

• Guest room

• Playroom

• Flex space

• Half Bath

The right use depends on your home and your family's needs. Rather than trying to create a room simply because it seems like something every home should have, think about what would genuinely make your day-to-day life easier. ✨

Make Use of an Unfinished Attic

Basements aren't the only unfinished spaces that may have potential!

Depending on the existing structure, ceiling height, access, and other conditions, an unfinished attic may be able to become usable living space.

That could mean a bedroom, office, playroom, or another space that fits your needs. 🤩

Before making plans, though, it's important to understand what the existing space can realistically accommodate. Things like structure, insulation, ventilation, electrical, access, and code requirements can all play a role in whether an attic is suitable for finishing.

Address Areas That Make Your Home Less Comfortable

Fall is also a good time to pay attention to the areas of your home that become uncomfortable once the temperatures drop! ❄️

Maybe one room always feels colder than the others. Perhaps you're noticing drafts around older windows or doors, or there are areas of the home that you avoid using during the colder months.

Those issues may point to larger improvements worth looking into, such as insulation, windows, doors, or other changes to the home's exterior envelope.

You don't have to know exactly what the solution is before looking into it. Sometimes identifying the problem is the first step toward figuring out what options are available.

Start Thinking About Your Home Before You Start the Project

One of the biggest benefits of thinking about an interior project in the fall is that you don't have to make every decision right away.

Start by looking at your home and asking yourself a few simple questions:

What isn't working well right now?

What space do we wish we had?

What areas of the home do we rarely use?

What would make everyday life easier or more comfortable?

From there, you can start exploring what might be possible!

Every home is different, and a project that makes perfect sense for one house may not be the right solution for another. Existing layouts, structure, utilities, space, and the overall goals for the home all need to be considered. 💪🏻

Take a Look Around Your Home This Fall

As we head into the colder months, take a look around your home and think about what could work better for you and your family! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Maybe there's an unfinished space you've always wanted to use, a room that feels cramped, or an area that never seems to have enough storage. You may not have a clear plan yet, and that's okay. Sometimes identifying what isn't working is the best place to start.

Every home is different, and there isn't one right way to make a space more functional. The goal is to create a home that fits the way you actually live in it.

If you've been thinking about making a change, fall can be a good time to start exploring your options and planning for the months ahead!