Holiday Home Prep Starts Now

Every year, September seems to arrive before I’m quite ready for it. One minute it’s the middle of summer, and the next, the clouds are rolling in, everyone is back to their regular routines, and somehow the holidays are already on the horizon. The transition from summer to fall always feels like it happens in a blink, and before we know it, we’re pulling out the sweaters and thinking about Thanksgiving dinner.

We spend most of the year in our routines, moving through our homes without giving much thought to the little things that could work better. But as the holidays approach and we find ourselves entertaining more, spending more time at home, and potentially hosting visiting guests, those little things have a way of becoming much more noticeable.

Fall is a great time to take a fresh look at how your home is functioning. Not every room needs a major renovation. Sometimes a minor improvement—or what Joanna Gaines calls a “mini reni”—is all it takes to get your home prepared for what’s ahead.

So before the calendar fills up, let’s talk about the small projects worth tackling now.

ROOMS THAT WELCOME GUESTS

When we talk about a mini reni, we’re referring to quick updates that can make a space work better, feel more finished, or simply make life a little easier when the house gets busier. Start by thinking about which rooms will see more action over the next few months. The answer will look different for everyone, but there are a few usual suspects.

Entryway

The entryway can go from everyday drop zone to full-blown traffic center once guests start arriving. Coats, shoes, and bags somehow end up everywhere.

Adding a few hooks, a bench, better storage, or even rethinking how the space is organized can make a big difference.

Guest Room

If you’re hosting family or friends, take a look at your sleeping arrangements. Do you have enough beds for everyone, or could you use a little more flexibility?

A Murphy bed, trundle, or pull-out sofa can be a great way to accommodate overnight guests without dedicating an entire room to them. Even smaller changes like fresh paint, better lighting, or additional storage can make a guest space feel more comfortable and intentional.

Powder Bath

The powder bath is a good candidate for a pre-holiday project because it’s a room you can almost guarantee will see more use. It’s also one of those spaces where a relatively small upgrade can have a big impact. For a cosmetic refresh, swapping the mirror, adding new wallpaper, or updating the hardware can completely change the look of the room without taking it down to the studs.

With increased traffic also comes increased wear, so consider whether the room is holding up as well as it should. Worn fixtures, damaged surfaces, or storage that isn’t working well are all small issues worth addressing now.

THE WORK BEHIND THE SCENES

Not every project that deserves your attention is going to result in a dramatic before-and-after. Sometimes, the most rewarding improvements are the ones that simply make your home more efficient. Think about the little annoyances you’ve gotten used to: the faucet that drips, the door that sticks, the cabinet that never quite closes, or the draft you’ve been meaning to figure out. We tend to overlook these things because we’ve learned how to live with them. But fix them, and you’ll wonder why you waited so long.

The same goes for outdoor updates. If there’s painting, sealing, or other exterior work you’ve been putting off, now is a good time to wrap it up while the weather is still working in your favor. Check doors and windows for gaps or worn seals, and make sure anything that needs protection from the rain is taken care of. If your fireplace will be getting more use in the coming months, don’t wait until the first cold weekend to inspect it. Fireplace and chimney services tend to get busier and more expensive as the temperatures drop.

Maintenance and repairs may not be the most exciting to talk about, but there’s something so satisfying about finally fixing the thing you’ve been working around for months—at least, we think so.

PLAN FOR WHAT’S NEXT

The peak season for major remodels may be coming to a close, but if you’ve been dreaming about a new kitchen, there’s no reason to abandon that idea just because the holidays are approaching. Larger projects take planning, and starting that conversation now can be the right move even if construction happens later. There’s a difference between starting the planning phase and trying to complete a full renovation before the busiest time of the year.

In the meantime, take a walk through your home and pay attention to what isn’t working as well as it could. Think about which spaces will get more use, and look at the updates that need to happen before the rain and colder temperatures arrive.

You’ll be glad you did when the holidays roll around—and you can actually enjoy your home instead of making a list of everything you still need to finish.