While you’re spending more time inside your NYC home avoiding the chilly weather outside, now is the perfect time to start some home improvement projects. Here are our top five projects to tackle this winter.

1. Refresh Your Kitchen

Dreaming of a kitchen remodel, but don’t have the funds? Refresh your space instead. Does your kitchen have antiquated linoleum, dated cabinets, or chipped countertops? Figure out the most glaring annoyance and start there.

New floors and countertops will both make a huge impact. Choose the best materials that you can afford. If you’re dealing with a tiny New York kitchen, you may even be able to find a slab remnant or leftovers from a bigger project at a discount.

Dingy cabinets can be updated with paint and new hardware. Fresh paint on the walls and a new backsplash are quick fixes for little money.

Image Source: Flickr/trec_lit

2. Replace Your Doors

Do you own your building or have a private entrance? Replacing your front door is not only a great choice aesthetically when it comes to home improvement projects, but it adds value to your home.

If you’re not able to replace your front door, consider replacing interior doors. Hollow core doors are ubiquitous and boring. Paneled doors come in a variety of styles and will add a sense of luxury to your home.

3. Update Your Lighting

Lighting is so important in our homes, and it’s one home improvement project that doesn’t take a ton of time.

When planning lighting, you need to consider three types: ambient, task, and accent. Ambient lighting provides overall illumination. Task lighting helps you perform everyday functions. Accent lighting adds interest to rooms. A combination of the three types is ideal.

For example, if your living room lighting needs updating, start with overhead lights. You may want to add a new chandelier or recessed lighting. Install a dimmer switch for added control. Next, choose table lamps for task lighting. Finally, add a spotlight for your new painting.

Need inspiration? Visit Filaments or Lighting by Gregory.

Image Source: Flickr/Anton Fomkin

4. Invest in Closet Organization

There is nothing quite like opening an organized closet! Start by going through your belongings and getting rid of anything you don’t need. Then sort the remaining items, so you know what needs to go in the closet.

If your closet already has an organization system, put everything back in its place. Use baskets and boxes to hold small items. Replace bulky hangers with skinny flocked ones for more space. Add hooks and shoe organizers to the doors to take advantage of unused space.

Is your closet a blank space? You can either install an organization system yourself or hire a professional closet designer. Utilize the pros at places like the Container Store or go completely custom and pricey (Center of Woodwork gets great reviews). Either way, it’s worth the investment!

5. Redo a Dated Bathroom

An outdated bathroom is a daily annoyance. Thankfully, it’s a relatively affordable home improvement project due to the room’s small size.

If you’re planning a full remodel, make a budget, then decide whether you want to DIY or hire a professional. Unless you really know what you’re doing, it may be cheaper in the end to hire everything out.

Do you have a limited budget? A few cosmetic changes will make a big impact. Start by painting the cabinetry a fresh, crisp white. Consider adding new fixtures and accessories (towel bars, shelves, etc.). A new medicine cabinet or mirror is something you’ll appreciate every day. Don’t forget a new shower curtain, towels, and rug.

Main Image Source: Flickr/Mark Hunter

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