5 Last Minute Home Renovations To Get In Before the Holidays

For most people, this year has been a crazy mix of "Where did the time go?" and "Is it over yet?" and with fall here, it is officially rounding the home stretch to a brand new one. That means the holidays are also right around the corner. While your holiday plans may look a bit different this year, they will still probably include gathering with close family and friends. Make sure your house is up to the task of accommodating guests in style by finishing a few of these home renovations before the holidays get here.

1. Spruce Up the Siding

It's all too easy to ignore a home's siding, especially in the winter when you may not be home during the limited daylight hours. However, worn, cracked or dirty siding can really take away from a house's appearance. Take an honest assessment of the home's exterior and see if a thorough scrubbing is sufficient to give it a refresh. if not, it may be time to have the old siding removed and something new put on. This is a job that is often best left to professionals. They have access to the right tools and equipment like Cedar Rapids crane rental to safely reach even the tallest peaks on the structure.

2. Update the Front Entry

Complete your home's new picture-perfect look by updating the front entryway. A coat of paint on the door can create interest and boost curb appeal. Plus, it's a relatively quick and simple project that makes a big impact. Adding accent furniture just inside of the door gives guests a place to rest their belongings without letting things get cluttered. A nice piece of artwork can create visual appeal and help set the design tone for the rest of the house.

3. Add a Guest Bathroom

If your home has limited bathrooms space, carving out a corner to add a guest bath can make entertaining a whole lot easier. it also takes some of the strain off of getting everyone ready and out the door each day. Ideally, you want a guest bath to be located near where people will congregate, such as the kitchen, living room or home theater.

4. Install a Wood-burning Stove

There isn't much that creates a better image of the holidays than a family gathered together around a cozy fire. Of course, there are other reasons to install a wood-burning stove or fireplace insert in your home, too. When you opt for wood heat, you also gain benefits such as a reliable source of heat even if the power goes out and lower utility bills.

If you don't want to bring a fire inside, why not consider heating up your outdoor entertaining area? Patios with integrated fire pits are perfect for encouraging conversation. If you don't want to worry about lugging wood through groups of guests, opt for an attractive gas-powered model. Be sure to check restrictions in your area first since not all communities allow outdoor burning. In those cases, patio heaters are an excellent alternative. They provide a surprising amount of heat to an outdoor space, albeit minus the ambiance of an open fire.

5. Update Worn Floors

Stop for a minute and think about the abuse that your floor takes every single day: People and pets walking and running across it; dirt being ground in; food getting spilled. It's a wonder that flooring lasts as long as it does. Just because your floors are in decent shape, however, does not mean they couldn't do with a refresh. There are some great new products that are attractive, durable and environmentally friendly.

With careful planning, you can have your home spruced up and ready to go before the holidays are here. Regardless of what home improvement projects you get in this fall, it is always best to check local building codes and requirements, as well as to contact utility companies about the location of service lines. This is especially true when you are performing a major home renovation yourself. Being proactive can save you a lot of time, effort and money by preventing complications during the project.