Even though south-central Wisconsin has been experiencing way-above-average temperatures, the calendar still says it’s winter — and we’re not in the clear yet. After all, this is Wisconsin, and the winter blahs are bound to set in before spring officially begins March 20.
While you’re waiting to tackle those outdoor projects you didn’t get to before temperatures dropped last fall, you can beat those winter blahs by taking on small indoor home improvement projects.
Here are five quick suggestions to help you make it through the next few weeks:
1. Paint a wall.
All you need to shake up a room is a new color — even if only on an accent wall. According to Wayfair, “this year’s trending colors are a lineup of dreamy neutrals that are perfect for refreshing your home interior.” They include Charred Umber, Classic Khaki, Cloud White, Smoky Jade and Frosted Sage.
2. Update some lighting.
It’s easy to make the switch from standard incandescent/halogen bulbs to LED bulbs — and if you go with ENERGY STAR-rated products, they’ll wind up using at least 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. But for a more immediate change, consider some of the lighting trends that experts say will shine bright in 2026: warm and cozy tones courtesy of table lamps, soft diffusion via frosted glass or fabric shades, and lighting that doubles as functional art.
3. Declutter the bathroom.
Take inventory of what’s on your bathroom counter and shelves, as well as in the drawers and cabinets. You might be surprised by what you find — and what you can toss: expired health and beauty products, disposable blades for razors you no longer own, eyeglasses from three prescriptions ago, maybe even old reading material. Once you’ve discarded what you no longer need or use, creative shelving ideas abound for both practical and décor purposes, and HouseDigest.com has some nifty suggestions. If you’re super-ambitious, consider updating the faucets in the sink and shower, too.
4. Explore the kitchen drawers.
Once you’ve purged clutter from the bathroom, think about moving to the kitchen and exploring those drawers. Experts recommend emptying them, cleaning them and then sorting all items by type while discarding duplicate items, old or damaged utensils and rarely used things. This approach works especially well on utensil drawers and so-called “kitchen junk drawers.” TheKitchn.com suggests following the “Take Away 10” method, in which you choose at least 10 items to get rid of in each drawer.
5. Tighten (or replace) knobs and handles.
You’d be surprised how loose door knobs and cabinet handles can get over time. Grab a flathead screwdriver and a Phillips screwdriver, pick a starting point and begin tightening screws. In some cases, you might want to even think about replacing tired knobs and outdated handles. Doing so is relatively simple but makes a massive difference.
Take a quick tour of your home, and you’re bound to find other small projects you’ve been putting off. If you don’t tackle them now, you might not get to around to them until next winter’s blahs set in.
Photo by Burst via Pexels.