10 Tips to Get Your Home Holiday-Ready

With the holiday season fast approaching, now is the time to take care of your home improvement projects. After all, juggling renovations with seasonal commitments can be tough. Plus, by completing your to-do list now, you'll have your house looking beautiful and ready for guests.

In this guide, you'll find home improvement projects that will make your home cozy, efficient and ready for holiday gatherings.

If you plan to bake cookies or cakes or host a festive meal for family or guests, your kitchen will be a focal point this holiday season. Make sure it's ready for all the extra attention!¹

• If an appliance seems to be on its last legs or isn't running efficiently, now is the time to upgrade. Use oven- and freezer-safe thermometers to make sure your appliances reach the correct temperatures.
• Declutter your kitchen so you have space to maneuver when making your holiday recipes.
• Add or update your backsplash for a more modern, fresh feel.
• Add an island to your kitchen for more storage and space to prepare your food.

Before your guests come over, make sure your guest bathrooms are in great working order. If you haven't refreshed them in awhile, now might be the time for a renovation.

Depending on your budget, your upgrade can range from small touches to big projects. For example, you might want to swap a bathtub for a walk-in shower, or replace your vanity with one that has a more modern feel. Add new mirrors, refinish your bathtub or simply upgrade your lighting and faucets.²
Give the bathroom a festive feel with a wreath on the wall or garland over a mirror. Keep holiday-scented air freshener and soap in the bathroom. (But also provide unscented soap options for anyone with allergies.³)

Exterior decorations can make your home feel festive and welcoming. Consider these ideas:⁴

• Replace your house's siding with an energy-efficient variety in a new color or texture.
• Transform your patio or deck into an outdoor living room, adding comfortable benches and chairs.
• Decorate your patio or deck with festive lights and maybe even an outdoor Christmas tree.
• Hire a professional to add an outdoor kitchen, fireplace or fire pit. This will ensure a warm, cozy place to gather during the winter chill.

If you have a basement, this can be a great place for entertaining (or it can even serve as an extra bedroom in a pinch). Consider these ideas:⁵

• If your basement isn't finished, now is the time to finish it so you'll have additional space for your guests. This can include adding versatile furniture that can accommodate different needs, like a folding table and stackable chairs or a sofa with a pull-out bed for sleeping.
• Add a small kitchenette or bar area to your basement for additional entertaining options or overflow of food and drinks.
• Add seasonal decor, like another Christmas tree, garland, themed pillows and themed table settings.

Your HVAC system needs a fall tune-up! Here are a few things you can do to make sure it's in great shape before the holidays.⁶

• Schedule an inspection with a professional. They can catch problems early, rather than having your heater fail during a cold winter storm.
• Change your HVAC's air filters to increase efficiency and improve your home's air quality. Your air filters should be checked at least every three months.
• Check your vents and ducts to ensure they aren't clogged or blocked.
• Get a smart thermostat and program it to adjust temperatures based on the time of day. If you aren't home, you can access the thermostat remotely via an app.

A happy holiday is a safe holiday. Make sure you've done all these safety checks in your home before the holidays:

• Get your fireplace cleaned and inspected. A professional can remove any nesting animals from the chimney and ensure the damper works.⁷ They'll also check for cracks in the masonry or obstructions. The National Chimney Sweep Guild and Chimney Safety Institute of America can help you find a certified chimney sweep.⁸
• Install leak detectors that send app notifications if a water leak is detected. Put them by your toilets, pipes, water heaters and any place you could have a leak.⁹
• Update your home security, especially if you're going on vacation. The easiest way is by investing in an armed security system. You'll also want to set up cameras in strategic places, like your front door. And don't post online announcing that you're going out of town.⁹

Upgrade your home lighting inside and out for a cheerier, brighter holiday. Consider these ideas:¹⁰

• Install dimmer switches so you can control how bright the lighting is, depending on the time of day and your mood.
• Switch out your lighting fixtures with more modern models.
• Add permanent exterior holiday lighting so you don't have to put up outdoor Christmas lights every year. Use LED holiday lights that can change color based on the occasion.¹¹

Before the guests are just hours away from arriving, make sure any minor repairs you've been putting off have been made. A professional handyman can help you do this efficiently and correctly.

Watch for repairs like leaks, cracks, touching up the paint or drywall or repairing trim or molding.

Clean your gutters so they won't get clogged and create ice buildup in the winter. Look for any exterior holes where pests might sneak in, and close them up.⁸

Weatherproof your home to keep out the cold winter chill. Here's a look at the top steps you should take (or hire a professional to do):⁷

• Make sure your pipes are insulated and winter-ready.
• Seal drafts around windows and doors.
• Add or upgrade your attic insulation—for cold climates, it should be about 12 inches thick.

Prepare your guest rooms ahead of time so you aren't scrambling at the last minute. This might include:³

• Refresh your space with upgrades, like new lighting, window coverings and a fresh coat of paint.
• Check the room's heating and ventilation.
• Put a welcome basket in the room with water bottles, granola bars, candy and other snacks. Include a card with your Wi-Fi password.
• Add festive touches, like a miniature Christmas tree or garland on the headboard.

Check off everything on this to-do list to ensure your house is ready for the holidays. Taking action now will ensure your home is ready for guests, letting you enjoy a peaceful, stress-free holiday season.

A contractor can help make this process efficient and hassle-free. Find a local contractor for home repairs and renovations at synchrony.com/findacontractor.