Top Spring Home Improvement Projects to Add to Your To-Do List

Get your home ready for the warmer months with these tasks and tips for indoor and outdoor spaces. Do it all yourself, or hire a pro to help check things off your spring maintenance to-do list.

Set a Post-Spring Cleaning Schedule

Spring cleaning includes a number of small home maintenance activities around the house, and it's a great opportunity to make sure everything is in good order. Lela Burris of Organized-ish recommends keeping that momentum going all year by setting a cleaning routine as the last step of your spring cleaning process. "Basic cleaning tasks like dusting, sweeping, and decluttering should be added to the schedule weekly, and less frequent tasks like cleaning the refrigerator or wiping baseboards can be put on a rotating biweekly or monthly schedule," says Burris.  She also suggests starting spring cleaning in the primary bedroom. "It gives you a relaxing place to crash after a long day of working on other spaces," she says. "It also motivates you to keep going with the rest of the home."

Update Windows

Adding weather stripping, repainting, and fixing cracked glass will all help make sure your windows look good and protect your home from the summer heat. If you're ready for an overhaul, spring is a good time to invest in new energy-efficient windows. Indoors, try switching out window treatments for something that provides more energy savings to the home, like honeycomb shades (cellular shades) that block solar heating but still allow for natural light.

Clear the Roof and Gutters

Inspect the roof for any piles of leaves or debris that may build up on the roof. Leaves tend to hold moisture, which is bad for your roof; simply blowing them away with a leaf blower can save you money on leaks and repairs. While you're up there, check the gutters: look for blockages, disconnected sections, holes, or other damage that might deter their effectiveness during heavy rain.

Update Exterior Lighting

Days might be getting longer, but outdoor lighting is more important than ever as you start taking activities outside. Check existing outdoor light fixtures around the house and yard (don't forget the garage) and replace any burned-out bulbs or solar lights that no longer hold a charge. Make sure motion-sensing lights are functioning, too. Consider adding lights to pathways and drop-offs, like front steps or landscape perimeters, for maximum safety when it's dark. You can also enhance curb appeal by updating existing fixtures with a new style.

Refresh Exterior Paint and Stain

Whether touching up your deck or giving the whole house a new look, spring is a great time for painting and staining projects. "The weather is usually warming up, but not yet reaching those hot summer temps, giving homeowners optimal conditions to complete a paint or stain project outside," says Erin Bovenzi, associate brand manager for Valspar. "Another advantage to painting in the spring is that trees and shrubbery are just starting to bloom, which lessens the possibilities of landscaping and foliage being in the way of our exterior projects." Bovenzi also notes that spring is when more homeowners start putting their houses on the market again, and a good-looking exterior can help increase the value of the home.

Prep Outdoor Irrigation 

Spring means it's time to turn outdoor water back on and take a close look at systems that use it, say the pair at ATL Handyman. Replace or repair leaky, cracked hoses and spigots, and be sure to check sprinklers and irrigation systems. "Water freezes over the winter and it's best to check for any water leaks or any pipes that may have burst," say Rooster and Travis. Test that auto timers and scheduling systems are working–and then look that all sprinkler heads are up, undamaged, and functioning properly.

Power Wash Surfaces

A thorough power washing will have the exterior of your home renewed for the season. It's a fast way to get rid of salt and grime that builds up over the winter months. Many surfaces, including driveways, concrete pavers, decks, and siding, can be power-washed. Use this guide to get an idea of what you can and shouldn't power-wash around your home.

Install or Update Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fan installations are a common springtime request for handymen. Fans offer a quick and easy style update that also prepares a space to combat heat in the coming months. Plus, fans also contribute to a home's energy savings by producing a windchill effect that can help people feel cooler than the actual temperature. If you already have one, make sure the fan is turning the right direction.

Tackle Outdoor Landscaping

Caring for your yard and garden is definitely a year-round activity, but there's some particular finesse to reviving landscaping after cold, wet months. Between pruning, planting, and fertilizing, there are a number of tasks to ready the yard. This spring gardening checklist is organized from early- to late- spring, so you won't miss a beat. While you're outside, be sure to remove debris around the AC unit so it can run most effectively and efficiently.

Start Kitchen Renovations

If you're considering a kitchen remodel, Jeff Koenig, owner of LaBonte Construction, says this is the best time to get started. In the spring and summer, people spend more time outside their home. "It's less intrusive on their lifestyle to have their kitchen unavailable when they're going out to eat or cooking on the grill," Koenig says.