November is a time of gratitude and harvest, remembrance and honor, endurance and inner warmth. As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, we spend more time indoors. There’s still time to make your home cozier, brighter and more inviting for everyday living and holiday gatherings. We’re here to help!
1. Give your kitchen a fresh look
You don’t need a major renovation to make a big difference in your kitchen. New cabinet hardware, freshly painted or refaced cabinets, a stylish backsplash and updated lighting can transform the space without the cost of a complete remodel. Smaller improvements may also offer a better return on investment when it’s time to sell.
Not planning to move? Even better! Enjoy your refreshed kitchen just in time for holiday cooking and entertaining.
Get started on your kitchen makeover
2. Cozy up with a new fireplace
Nothing makes a chilly room feel more inviting than a warm, glowing fire. Whether you’re considering a new fireplace or upgrading an existing one, Get Dwell can help you explore wood-burning, gas and electric options.
Today’s electric fireplaces combine realistic flames with stylish designs and flexible installation options. Because they don’t require traditional chimneys, you can create a dramatic focal point without major construction.
Is your chimney “fire?”
Before lighting that first fire of the season, make sure your fireplace and chimney are ready. Fireplaces, chimneys and venting systems should be inspected regularly, with maintenance needs depending on the type of fireplace and frequency of use. Chimneys may also vent furnaces, boilers and other heating equipment, making proper inspection and maintenance essential to reducing fire hazards and the risk of carbon monoxide exposure. Wood-burning chimneys should be cleaned as needed to remove dangerous creosote buildup.
If your gas fireplace isn’t delivering lively flames and a warm, inviting glow, it may be time for a refresh. Compatible replacement logs and fresh glowing embers, professionally installed, can help restore its beauty and ambiance for the winter ahead.
Schedule Get Dwell’s CSIA-certified chimney sweep for professional inspection and cleaning. We can also help you find the right solution for fireplace installation, upgrades and ongoing maintenance.
Contact Get Dwell about fireplace services
3. Tone up, tuck away: Create a Pilates tower closet
Turn an ordinary closet into your own personal Pilates studio! Get Dwell can design a custom space that keeps your Pilates tower or folding reformer conveniently accessible but out of sight when not in use.
With thoughtful design and construction, an existing closet can be transformed into a functional workout space without sacrificing the room’s everyday purpose.
When it’s time to exercise, simply open the closet instead of heading out into the winter cold. When you’re done, close the doors and your room is neat and organized once again. You might even find yourself working out more often!
Contact us to discuss your custom Pilates and home exercise needs
4. Make an entrance worth applauding
Your front door is one of the first things guests notice about your home. What kind of impression is yours making?
Faded paint or stain, worn finishes and outdated hardware can make even a beautiful home look tired. Refresh your entryway with a freshly painted or refinished door and updated handles, locks or decorative hardware that complement your home’s architecture.
Get ready for holiday guests with an end-of-year power washing to remove accumulated dirt, bugs and grime, followed by a fresh coat of paint where needed. A few thoughtful improvements can make your entrance feel welcoming again.
Contact Get Dwell about a front entry makeover today and we’ll get you on the schedule before the holidays.
5. Give your guests a five-star stay
When was the last time you took a good look at your guest bedroom and bathroom? Would they earn a five-star rating from your holiday visitors?
Maybe the bathroom towel bar your mother-in-law mentioned during her last visit is still loose. Perhaps there’s chipped paint, peeling wallpaper or a light fixture that could use an update.
Take care of those small repairs and show your guests how much you enjoy having them in your home by making their stay as comfortable and welcoming as possible. Get Dwell’s skilled craftsmen can tackle your to-do list before the first suitcase rolls through the door.
Get your guest rooms ready for five-star reviews
6. Dress up your dining room with decorative trim
Give your dining room a little extra elegance before holiday entertaining begins. Wainscoting adds architectural interest while protecting walls from everyday scuffs and bumps.
This decorative wall paneling typically covers the lower third or half of a wall and can incorporate raised or recessed panels, beadboard, chair rails and decorative trim. Adding crown molding where the walls meet the ceiling provides a polished finishing touch — and may be easier than you think.
Whether your style is traditional or contemporary, these architectural details can turn an ordinary dining room into a space that feels special year-round.
Schedule an on-site assessment and estimate with our trim carpenter.
7. Make a statement with a distinctive accent wall
Want to make a dramatic change without remodeling an entire room? A bold, moody accent wall might be all you need to turn heads.
A rich paint color, beautifully patterned wallpaper or custom faux finish can create a striking focal point and give your living room, bedroom or dining area a whole new personality.
Get Dwell’s experienced wallpaper installers work with everything from traditional wallcoverings to high-end designer papers, including untrimmed wallpaper that requires precise hand trimming. It’s a specialized craft that demands skill, patience and attention to detail.
Our skilled decorative painters can also create custom faux finishes, from subtle textures to bold artistic effects — depending on your personal style and just how groovy you want to get!
Schedule an on-site assessment with our finishing expert to explore wallpaper and decorative painting options.
8. Deck the halls, skip the falls
You’ve got enough on your holiday to-do list. Why not let someone else handle the ladder?
Brighten your home with festive lights, garlands and seasonal decorations. Before heading to a big-box store, check out your neighborhood hardware store for holiday supplies and decorations, including popular lighting styles. You’ll find festive options while supporting a local business.
And if you’d rather skip the ladder altogether, Get Dwell’s handyman team can help hang your holiday lights and décor safely and securely. You supply the decorations and we’ll handle the installation, so you can enjoy the holiday sparkle without the hassle.
Find a neighborhood hardware store
Contact Get Dwell for holiday decorating help
9. Seal the deal before the chill
With energy costs on the rise, don’t let cold air sneak into your home — or your heating dollars slip away.
Drafty windows and doors can make rooms uncomfortable and increase heating costs. Get Dwell can assess your home to identify problem areas, including worn weatherstripping and gaps around windows and doors.
Your local family-owned hardware store carries affordable DIY solutions, including shrink-fit window insulation kits, weatherstripping and door sweeps.
For these and other more permanent improvements, Get Dwell can help pinpoint your biggest sources of drafts and recommend practical solutions that fit your home and budget.
A few small fixes now can make a big difference in keeping your home comfortable all winter long.
Find a neighborhood hardware store
Get help sealing out winter drafts
10. Leave the suspense to novels, not chandeliers
Planning to install a showstopping chandelier before the family gathers for Thanksgiving dinner? Make sure it’s supported by more than wishful thinking — or a drywall anchor.
Heavy light fixtures require properly rated electrical boxes and secure structural support. An experienced electrician can assess the fixture’s weight, reinforce the mounting system when necessary and ensure the wiring is installed safely.
Get Dwell’s highly qualified electrical professionals each bring more than 20 years of experience to your home’s electrical projects, so you can enjoy your beautiful new lighting with confidence.
Let us make sure your stunning new centerpiece stays on the ceiling — and out of the mashed potatoes.
Autumn is a season for appreciating what you have — including the place you call home. A few thoughtful repairs, updates and improvements can make your home more comfortable, beautiful and welcoming for the holidays and beyond. From small handyman projects to larger home improvements, Get Dwell is here to help you get it done right.