Summer home improvement project ideas
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Luke Hilton is a Warrington-based email content writer and designer in the financial services industry. He enjoys mixing analytics and creativity and can usually be found with his head buried in stats, piecing together the patterns that make good content. In his spare time, the drive to figure things out continues with what can only be described as a love-hate relationship with DIY. With a keen love of the outdoors, Luke is usually up a mountain somewhere or in his garden growing his own oasis.
Monday 14th August 2023
We’ve all heard of a spring clean, but how about a summer spruce up? With the summer holidays ending soon, and a new school term just around the corner, now’s a great time to take on a few last-minute home improvement projects to get your house ship-shape.
We’re sharing our tips to help you get your home refreshed for a new September start.
1. Have a summer clear-out
It’s likely you’ll have accumulated some clutter over the summer holidays, whether it’s beach bags shoved into any wardrobe that has space or new outdoor toys your kids just haven’t taken to.
Now’s a good time to add some nifty storage solutions around your home. Always make the most of spare space by installing shelving units or stacking storage boxes so there’s a place to put those miscellaneous items. Get creative with wall hooks, too – maybe use them to hang baskets full of accessories, belts or scarves as well as the usual coats and bags?
A summer de-clutter is a great chance to earn a bit of extra cash. Why not sell some of your unwanted items online? You could also swap games and toys with some of your friends, giving you all a chance to try something new without breaking the bank.
2. Rethink your home working areas
Will your kids need a dedicated workspace when they go back to school? Are you feeling uninspired by your current home office, and need to give it a refresh?
Before the ‘back to school’ rush begins, create a new shared workspace for the whole family to enjoy. Think about buying a foldaway desk for their bedroom, turning an old playroom into a multi-functional space, or even creating a cosy study corner in the living room. There are loads of ways you can make a workspace feel fun.
3. Give your home a fresh lick of paint
If you’ve noticed your paintwork chipping or fading (expect this to happen after five to ten years), it might be time to repaint your home. The summer holidays could be the perfect time to do it – particularly if you’re looking for a bit of downtime after some big day trips or exciting holidays.
If you’re sensitive to the smell of paint (particularly gloss), painting in the summer could be the best idea as you’ll be able to throw the windows open and keep your home well-ventilated while you wait for the paint to dry.
4. Plan those bigger projects
Kids will be back to school soon and the house will likely be a bit quieter through the week – perfect for larger home improvement projects to commence! But, of course, organising home improvements like a kitchen or bathroom refresh take time so now’s your opportunity to start planning. Installers can be booked up months in advance so get the ball rolling as soon as you can!
5. Restore your garden room, shed or decking
Anything impacted by the elements, from your patio to your garden shed, should be thoroughly cleaned and treated with oil or stain once a year. This preserves the life of the wood and prevents it from being damaged too badly by the weather.
It’s a good idea to apply treatment during the summer, when the warm weather will help it to dry faster. Plus, you can crack on with treating timber while keeping your kids occupied with a range of fun garden activities.
6. Replace your doors
Though doors don’t need replacing often (they can last around 30 years), if you’ve noticed draughts coming in, visible damage or you just fancy a change in style, then summer’s the perfect time to choose new doors.
It’s much more comfortable to get your doors taken off and replaced during warmer weather. Plus, you’ll feel the benefit of a more well-insulated, energy-efficient door when the winter comes.
7. Get winter-ready
Understandably, you won’t want to think about darker nights and nippier weather while you’re still enjoying your holidays. But now’s the time to get your home ready for winter.
For example, think about installing outdoor lights to boost your home’s security or improving your home’s insulation by replacing your windows with double or triple glazing.
8. Deep clean from top to bottom
It’s often tempting to put off a thorough clean. But it’ll be much harder to be motivated once your whole family’s back to the September routine and the darker nights start closing in. Set aside a day or two to get your home spick and span.
As well as your usual cleaning routine, take the opportunity to check your appliances. Give your dishwasher, washing machine, or fridge freezer a deep clean using a spot of white vinegar and baking soda mixed with warm water. You’d be surprised how much grime you’ll get rid of, which will help your appliances to last longer.
9. Get your boiler serviced
Your boiler might be the last thing on your mind during the summer months, but it’s actually one of the best times to book a service in. Boiler engineers tend to be less busy dealing with breakdowns and boiler emergencies in the summer – plus, you’ll enjoy full peace of mind that your boiler’s in great working condition when you do have to start using it again during the colder months.
For more top tips, check out our blog on how to give your home a makeover for autumn. And don’t forget – if you need a little help to turn your home improvement dreams into a reality, our low-cost loans could help. Borrow between £1,000 and £35,000 with competitive rates from as low as 7.4% APR Representative (£7,500-£25,000).
