Chicago, it’s that time again — time to dust off the grill and break out the patio furniture. But there’s more than summer entertaining to consider. Despite the excruciating heat, summer is also the perfect season to address a variety of home improvement projects.
Painting Season
Summer is the busiest season when it comes to home painting. Know what that means? It means paint is on sale and it’s a perfect time to get a few gallons and touch up worn spots around the house.
It’s all about curb appeal. Add a fresh coat of paint to mailboxes, steps, porches or walkway railings and you’ll completely transform the front of your house. Switch out the hardware on your front door, add a planter box or two to the windows and a new porch light, and you just might make your neighbors jealous.
This is the perfect time to stain the deck or sidewalk, too. Give the deck a new feel by staining it a different color or simply infuse a new color on the railings to provide a contrasting accent. Take care of any repairs in your sidewalk where the cement is chipped or cracked and then apply a nice cement stain to give it a fresh look.
Don’t neglect the inside
This particular Chicago summer will offer plenty of days when temperatures reach well into the 100’s. Cherry-pick these moments to turn your focus indoors. Commit to those odd cleaning jobs that continue to get pushed back month-after-month. Clear the dryer vents, clean behind the stove, refrigerator and washer and dryer. And when was the last time you vacuumed the coils behind your fridge?
You could also consider getting rid of the clutter underneath your bed and rotating your mattress (an ideal thing to do from time-to-time). Earn feelings of accomplishment for completing these random tasks and take solace in knowing that you’re checking things off your to-do list.
Outdoor revival
One of the more overlooked outdoor projects is caulking your home. This is a great way to seal your home from insects and combat energy loss. Don’t skimp on the quality of the caulk simply to save a few bucks. It’s imperative to invest in the best product to ensure the best results.
Now that 4th of July has come and gone, take advantage of the various sales on grills, outdoor furniture and gardening equipment. This way you’re stocked up for the rest of summer.
Summer is a season for many things. Why not make it the season to spruce up your Chicago home?
