Decluttering Can Be a Great Summer Project

One #household project that’s good to perform no matter what the season is #decluttering. Outdoors or indoors, rain or shine, your #home life will be healthier and less stressful if you don’t have a bunch of #junk you don’t need in the way of the #stuff that you use. Taks advantage of the warm summer weather to clean the #garage — or use a rainy day to #organize the basement. You’ll probably find lots of old #clothing, tchotchkes and other things you don’t really need that you can #donate to ClothingDonations.org. Call or click for a #free #pickup, and contribute those items to fund valuable #veterans programs! #SummerProjects

Summer Is a Great Time to Renovate the Kitchen

#Summer is a great time to do a #kitchen renovation, LifeHacker says, because you can cook food on the outdoor grill for a week or two while the new appliances go in or schedule most of the work while you’re out of town on a road trip. Other good projects to get started on now include #outdoor living renovations (to make the most of the nice weather) such as a deck and heating maintenance (so your furnace is ready when you need it most). Projects you won’t want to tackle under the hot summer sun include roofing and flooring projects. #SummerProjects

Complete Summer Outdoor Living Projects Now

Concentrate on #household projects in late spring and early #summer that will make the most of your outdoor space. #DIY a bench, deck or fire pit in a weekend and add to your home’s entertainment appeal, or build a planter or vegetable garden that will pay off with fresh food, herbs and flowers for months to come. “What’s the use of balmy weather and long summer days if you can’t hang out in your yard and have some fun?” asks This Old House. “If there’s nowhere good to sit and nothing fun to do at your house, don’t fret. Summer is the perfect time to tackle some easy DIY projects that can transform your outdoor space.” #SummerProjects

Finish Painting Projects Before Summer

Some #household projects can be complicated by the #summer #heat, says The Spruce, so tackle them now or you may have to hold off until fall. For example, it’s best to complete painting jobs before the outside air gets too hot. On indoor jobs, you’ll want to open windows for ventilation, but paint won’t dry properly if the air is too hot and humid, and relying on air conditioning to do the drying can damage HVAC units. Similarly, exterior paints and stains should be applied within a certain temperature range — generally 50°F to 85°F — to adhere properly. #SummerProjects

Start Planning Your Fall Projects Now

Another long weekend is on the books, and even though most of the country can look forward to another month or two of temperate weather, fall will be here soon. That’s why everyone should start planning — or doing — their fall projects now.

While spring and summer tend to be the busiest times of year for home improvement and renovation, fall offers relatively mild and consistent weather for DIY projects. In other words, it’s less likely you’ll be withering under the oppressive heat or dodging heavy rainstorms.

If you need to hire some help, you’re in luck: Business starts to slow down for most contractors in the fall, so you will probably have an easier time finding a qualified professional and the materials you need for a project. You may even get a price break!

Work from the outside in, Thumbtack’s Dave Steckel told The Spruce, winterizing your home and garden for the first freeze, then turning attention to interior projects. “The idea is to get ready for winter in the fall, because we never know when the weather will change,” he said.

Depending on your situation, painting, tuckpointing, roofing, gutter cleaning and HVAC maintenance may be on the list of exterior to-dos. All are essential to protecting the home and its occupants against the elements, so get them on the calendar now.

Once you have these handled, turn your attention to the interior of the home. Common projects include interior painting, floor and tile installation, lighting installation, bathroom remodeling, and home #cleaning and #organizing.

The Organizing Blog recommends a thorough #decluttering of any spaces you’ll be fixing up. Not only will it make completing your fall projects easier, reducing #clutter can beautify the space long after those projects are complete. #Donate any extra #stuff that you don’t need to ClothingDonations.org.

You’ll be spending more time indoors when fall and winter roll around; make your space more livable and efficient before the temperatures start to drop.