10 Home Projects That Are Perfect to Work on Over Holiday Breaks

Tackling these projects now will set you up for an even better New Year.

By Nafeesah Allen, Ph.D. 

Published on November 14, 2024

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The holidays can be a great time to take on renovations or organizational projects around the house. A lot can be done with a few extra days off. From small tasks like decluttering the pantry to bigger maintenance tasks like deep cleaning the carpets, you can make big progress on your home improvement checklist. Of course, bigger renovations require advance planning to ensure contractors and supplies are available, but other projects are a perfect use of your extra time off. Here are ten home projects to tackle over your holiday breaks.

• Chris Counahan, president at LeafFilter Gutter Protection
• Michelle Hendricks, category marketing manager at Deckorators
• DR Richardson, co-founder of Elephant Energy

Test water quality

Checking water quality is one of those home maintenance tasks that’s easy to forget. But it never hurts to test the mineral content or hardness of your water, especially if you’re hosting guests for the holidays. “Testing your water is an easy, indoor home project to complete over the holidays,” says Chris Counahan, president at LeafFilter Gutter Protection. Purchase a water testing kit and follow the package instructions by filling a glass of water and dipping the testing stick in to assess the quality. “If your tests find hard water or contaminants, consider calling a professional to install a whole-home reverse osmosis system to ensure clean water throughout your home,” Counahan says.

Refresh the walls

Whether it’s wallpapering a feature wall in the primary bedroom or giving the bathroom a fresh coat of paint, try refreshing your interior walls over the holiday break. Painting projects can easily be done in a couple of days, depending on the size of the room, so they’re perfect for completing over a long holiday weekend. Wallpapering can be done in around a maximum of 8 hours, again depending on the size and number of walls you’re tackling. So, if you’ve been pondering a wall upgrade, the holiday break is the perfect time to check it off the list. 

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Patio or deck maintenance

For homes not covered in snow during the holiday season, exterior maintenance should be top of the to-do list. “Holiday breaks offer a great opportunity for homeowners to freshen up their outdoor spaces, and catch up on deck maintenance,“ says Michelle Hendricks, Deckorators’ category marketing manager. Cleaning rust stains, tightening railings or loose joints, reorganizing the deck box, or even refinishing deck wood can all be done over the course of a few days.

Deep clean floors and carpets

Not all home projects for the holidays have to be renovations—deep cleaning is just as important. High-traffic areas like hardwood floors and carpets can always use a deep cleaning. Aside from the usual sweeping and vacuuming, try using the wet vac for carpets and rugs. Target baseboards and try a carpet cleaner, especially in high-traffic areas used by people and pets.

Add insulation

Holiday breaks are the perfect time to work on energy-efficient upgrades. “With the colder temperatures that arrive before the holidays, homeowners inevitably start noticing how well their home holds up against the elements,” says DR Richardson, co-founder of Elephant Energy. “For many homeowners, that is the perfect time of the year to weatherize their homes by adding air sealing or extra insulation,” he says. Try weatherstripping to seal gaps where air can enter, window caulking to seal gaps or cracks, or adding insulation—professionally or DIY—to basements, garages, or attics. 

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Declutter 

With days off on holiday break, there’s extra time to look around and notice items you no longer need. Spend some time decluttering neglected areas of your home. Closets, pantries, and home offices are often home to lots of outdated junk. Decluttering can make it easier to find items you really do need and to keep spaces clean. It’s also worthwhile to tidy spaces before guests come over for holiday celebrations. Try tackling one room at a time and have a plan. Have a pile for what you’ll keep, trash, and donate. For clothing and furniture, try organizing a pickup from a charity, so you’ll have a deadline for completion and no excuse to wave goodbye to items that will be put to better use elsewhere.

Revisit Landscaping

If you’re tired of spending time inside, it’s worth considering what upgrades you can make outdoors. Revisit your landscaping and outdoor living spaces. “Additions like outdoor heaters, fire pits, and lighting will help extend the use of your outdoor living space throughout the seasons,” says Hendricks. These features can make the outdoor space more comfortable just in time for the holidays. Lawncare, repotting plants, cleaning outdoor furniture, refreshing mulch, or finishing hardscaping features can set you up for success in the warmer months.

Upgrade light fixtures

Another easy project to take on during the holiday break is to upgrade indoor lighting. Get a new fixture above the dining table, bring a new lamp to the living room, or replace sconces in the bathroom. Replacing or refreshing lighting fixtures can completely transform the look and feel of your home. Usually, putting up simple task lighting does not require a professional technician, so you can try this fix yourself. If you need an electrician or lighting specialist, use the holidays to call around, visit showrooms, and finally place your orders.

Clean the fireplace and chimney

If your home has one, your fireplace will be the focal point of the holiday season. Cleaning up the fireplace area is more complicated than it looks. Even minor renovations can make a huge difference. Small upgrades include re-tiling the floor and redecorating the mantle. Cleaning the chimney, however, is a professional job. Doing regular maintenance can prevent allergens and fire hazards. Remember to plan and call ahead, as pros in your neighborhood may be in high demand this time of year.

Refresh the cabinets

Are your kitchen cabinets looking worse for wear? Refresh or refinish them this holiday season. Try replacing hardware, repainting, or refinishing cabinet faces. If you’re happy with the outside of your cabinets, try reorganizing the inside. Refreshing kitchen cabinets can bring new life into your space without hiring a professional to replace them. The same applies to bathroom vanities and storage cabinets, which are often neglected.