Home renovations can be a daunting undertaking at any time of the year, but when faced with a holiday season deadline, the pressure can feel insurmountable. On the bright side, a renovation project taken on during the winter months more often than not leaves out exterior updates. Windows, doors, roof, land and hardscaping - all projects for the more climate-friendly seasons. 

Holiday updates can include converting wood-burning fireplaces to clean, efficient natural gas, kitchen and bathroom renos, new flooring, or even a fresh coat of paint. If the deadline of entertaining family and friends at your place is looming on the horizon, perhaps keeping the more extensive projects off the list until the new year will lessen stress levels. When taking on any renovation project, the risk of encountering unexpected obstacles and delays along the way, can quickly create havoc and stress on holiday plans. Tried and true advice: keep things simple. 

Paint is at the top of the list when it comes to the quickest and most cost-effective way to give a room a fresh new look. Wallpaper may have been very popular in the past, but with many new bold, modern styles, 2021 seems to be the year it sees a resurgence. David Harris, Design Director at Andrew Martin, states “gone are the days of just printing on paper. You can now embellish corks, grass-cloths and silks with pretty much any design. The usage is also bolder and braver. If you have the confidence, there are endless possibilities.” 

If the idea of wallpapering an entire room is overwhelming, choosing one wall to paper as the room’s “piece de resistance” is always an option, and may produce even more impact. 

The simple replacement of light fixtures, lamps, and window treatments can transform a room from past to present in no time. And if time is not on your side, and budget is a concern, then simple room updates such as new window treatments, area rugs, and new throw cushions can be the answer. 

Kitchens can be given a fast facelift with a coat of paint or new stain on cabinet doors, new door pulls, and updating faucet fixtures. Peel and stick backsplashes provide an instant new look.

Staying on budget during an already expensive holiday gift-giving season will certainly have its challenges. For the DIYer, this can trim thousands of dollars off the bottom line. 

Remember, updating your home for the holidays is only one part of the equation. Indoor and outdoor holiday decorating alone can transform a home into a winter wonderland, without breaking the bank or your back.