With fall and cooler weather around the corner, it’s the perfect time for home updates. With so many potential items to tackle, it can be difficult to know where to begin.

Check out these four tips to help you get started.

1. Focus on the Priorities

It’s not too late to tackle the important renovations that have been being putting off all summer. Focus on the critical tasks that will impact winter comfort such as the roof, your home’s heating and cooling system and sump pump.

2. Work on the Outside

The deck, patio and walkways may not be the first things that come to mind when you think about fall renovations, but now is the perfect time to check those repair items off your list.

Demand for outdoor construction and repair begins to diminish in the fall. Moving into the off-season, landscaping repairmen will frequently lower costs and offer quicker turnaround times. This may mean that your repair project will go more quickly and smoothly.

3. Find Ways to Improve Energy Efficiency

There are many things the average homeowner can do to improve a home’s energy efficiency and reduce energy use and save money.

One easy way is to assess the appliances. If you have an older refrigerator, washer or dryer, you may be wasting energy and dollars. The 2019 versions of these appliances are designed to be more energy efficient. If budget allows, consider replacing the outdated models.

Other options such as updating the water heater, installing energy-efficient heating and cooling systems or replacing leaking doors and windows are good ways to improve efficiency and may even be eligible for a federal tax credit.

4. Don’t Ignore the Lighting

Fall is a great time to improve lighting.  Ensuring your space has ample light sources is an easy and affordable way to beat seasonal doldrums.  Two ways of adding light to a space are 1. Add more light sources with either single or multi-socket lights or 2. Use brighter bulbs. In general, adding more sources of light with dimmer bulbs is better than using fewer sources of light with bright bulbs, as bright bulbs may cause eye strain.

Two great examples of a multi-socket light are the Caserti mid-century modern chandelier and the Marabella Sputnik hanging light. One offers diffused lighting for a softer look and the other serves up exposed bulbs for direct and bright lighting.

When installing multiple pendant lights, a multi-socket chandelier, ceiling light or wall lamp, note the lumen count on the bulbs you purchase. The higher the lumen, the brighter the bulb. If this isn’t enough, consider installing additional track lighting, table lamps, or sconces.