With autumn/winter now just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to tackle essential household maintenance to prep for the season changes to make homes warmer, brighter, and more inviting both indoors and out.
From checking window seals, to clearing gutters and refreshing garden plants, these quick, fuss-free projects can be completed in a short space of time, helping households get ahead of the cooler, wetter months to come.
Window Specialist, Jade Oliver at Express Bi-Folding Doors shares ten easy DIY jobs that will not only spruce up your home but also prepare you for the colder months ahead.
10 Simple DIY Jobs Before The Seasons Change:
1. Weatherproof outdoor furniture
Wooden furniture can quickly deteriorate once the rain sets in. Giving benches, tables, and chairs a coat of protective sealant or wood stain helps repel water, prevents rotting, and keeps colours vibrant. This small job extends the life of your furniture and means it’ll be ready to use again next spring without looking worn.
2. Clear out gutters and drains
Even a small blockage can lead to water overflowing, staining walls, or seeping into brickwork. Clearing gutters of leaves, moss, and debris only takes 15–20 minutes but can save you from costly repairs later. It’s also worth checking downpipes to ensure water is draining properly.
3. Add draught excluders
As the weather cools, draughts around doors and windows can make rooms feel chilly and increase heating bills. Self-adhesive draught excluder strips or a simple door snake are inexpensive and quick to fit, but they make a noticeable difference to warmth and comfort through autumn and winter.
4. Switch to autumn plants
Seasonal planting keeps gardens looking cheerful even as temperatures drop. Replacing tired summer plants with hardier options like pansies, cyclamen, or ornamental cabbages adds colour through the colder months. Planting bulbs such as daffodils or tulips now also sets your garden up beautifully for spring.
5. Deep clean windows and glass doors
With daylight hours getting shorter, every bit of natural light matters. Giving your windows and doors a thorough clean, inside and out, removes smudges and pollen build-up, allowing more light to flood indoors. Sparkling glass also makes spaces feel fresher and more open.
6. Check seals on windows
Check for that seals are still working around your windows by feeling for any cold drafts coming in around your window. If you can feel a cold draft, then it’s a good idea to replace the seals on your windows, this will help keep your home warmer as the colder months settle in.
7. Service garden lighting
Garden lighting often gets neglected, but as nights draw in, it becomes more useful. Check solar lights are still charging properly, replace worn batteries, and wipe down covers for maximum brightness. If you have mains-powered lighting, swap in energy-efficient bulbs to save on bills while keeping your outdoor areas usable.
8. Lay door mats inside and out
Mats act as the first defence against muddy boots and wet leaves. Having one both outside and just inside the door helps protect flooring, reduces cleaning time, and makes entrances look more welcoming. Why not choose a heavy-duty outdoor mat that can handle the weather and a softer indoor version for comfort.
9. Check locks and latches
As evenings start get darker, it’s a good time to check all locks, bolts, and window latches are working smoothly. Tighten any loose screws, oil stiff mechanisms, and replace any broken fixtures. Not only does this improve home security, but it also ensures windows and doors shut tightly against draughts.
10. Freshen up textiles
Curtains, cushion covers, and throws can collect dust and pollen over the summer months. Washing or rotating them now helps improve air quality and gives your interiors a refresh. Swapping lighter fabrics for warmer textures like wool or velvet also sets your living spaces up for a cosier autumn.
