Cooler temperatures are on the horizon and now is the ideal time to begin checking items off your seasonal to-do list. Complete simple projects before the harsh winter weather arrives so your home is ready to enjoy in the coming season.

Add some pizzazz with paint

Fall is the perfect painting season, especially if you’re looking for a simple weekend project that provides instant results. Mild temperatures allow you to open windows and circulate fresh air while applying new color to your walls.

Select bright shades for interior spaces to fend off the potential winter blues in the months ahead. Dutch Boy Paint recently partnered with three top bloggers to make over their spaces with fresh, fun colors. Elsie Larson from A Beautiful Mess, a blog focused on creating happiness through a homemade lifestyle, shared how to quickly and easily personalize a bedroom by painting an accent wall with East Bay, a bright turquoise hue that’s sure to help lift your spirits. See how she used Dutch Boy Platinum interior paint, which is available exclusively at Menards, to transform a dull space into her dream bedroom at www.dutchboy.com/projects.

Platinum’s No Prep, No Prime formula makes it possible to paint over drywall without the need to sand or prime, saving valuable time without sacrificing results. Platinum is even available in 8-ounce color samples so you can test a variety of colors before selecting your perfect hue.

Space warming tricks

Now that you’ve warmed up your space with color, you can focus on preparing the rest of your home for the winter months. Flip your ceiling fan blades so they run counterclockwise - which will push warmer air down to instantly heat up the room. A fast fix to keep cold air out and warmer air in is to install weather stripping on your doors and windows. Regulate the temperature of your home by adding area rugs for extra layers of insulation, especially if you have wood floors.

Make sure you’re not left out in the cold by scheduling a furnace checkup to ensure everything’s running properly. You’ll thank yourself later for not waiting until it breaks during a snowstorm to have it fixed. If your home has a fireplace and chimney, hire a professional chimney sweep to remove any debris that could potentially ignite and wreak havoc on your home during the months ahead.

Outside guide

Even though much of your time will be spent indoors during cold months, it’s important to remember your outdoor obligations. Winterize any pipes that are exposed to outdoor temperatures and turn off the water to exterior faucets. Be sure to disconnect all hoses and spigots and drain all remaining water from the pipes, as leftover water can freeze and cause the pipes to burst. Cover grills and air conditioning units, and store outdoor furniture, umbrellas and cushions in a shed, garage or covered area to prevent rust and damage from the elements.

Thoroughly clean gutters, give your lawn a final mowing and fertilize and prune your flowers just before the temperatures begin to drop. This will minimize the work that needs to be done when the ground thaws in spring.

By taking the proper precautions and completing these seasonal projects now, you’ll save time and money, all while keeping your home well-maintained and looking great heading into the months ahead.