Winter Checklist

Our month-by-month guide on where and when to update.

As you snuggle up during the winter months, take a few moments to add seasonal touches to your home. After all, you're hunkering down to ward off the chill, so it's the perfect time to spread a little warmth throughout the house.

Early January:
Start the year off with some preventative-safety measures: There's no better New Year's resolution. "If you have a gas system in your home, you should definitely get the furnace and exhaust venting checked, as well as measure the carbon monoxide level in the house," says David Samuel, an Aire Serv franchise owner in Cassville, Missouri. Most of us crank up our heating systems to stay cozy, but these longer running times put you at a higher risk for dangerous carbon monoxide exposure.

Late January:
To echo the fallen snow, New York- and Los Angeles-based interior designer Grady Cooley likes to add splashes of white throughout the home. "Do it with white flowers, and mix them with a lush hunter green like those from magnolia leafs. This combination hints at the promise of spring…that it will finally get here! You can also use a soft green slipcover for your sofas or buy a fabric overlay to toss over one of your tables. Whatever you do, just don't add red into the mix: It's too reminiscent of Christmas!"

Early February:
Now's the time to call your electrician about installing ceiling fans for the spring months, says Daniel Stem, a Mr. Electric franchise owner in Jefferson County, Colorado. And while he's making a trip to your home, consider having him check fuse boxes or any other electrical wiring that might need to be redone.

Late February:
As you gather energy for a big spring cleaning, consider sprucing up the bathroom. "Change out accessories, such as towels, bath mats, tumblers, soap dishes, and toothbrush canisters, to add a splash of color that matches your personality," says Shana Mercer, co-owner of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen in Lumberton, Texas. "You can also switch the knobs and pulls on your vanities, while new towel racks, toilet paper holders, and robe hooks can add just the right decorative touch."

Early March:
Spring is just around the bend for most parts of the country, and there's nothing more spring-like than bright yellow daffodils, says Cooley. If you can't tote fresh flowers into the house, add in touches of yellow in other ways: bright lemons in a silver bowl, sunshine-colored throw pillows on the couch, or citrus-scented candles in the bedroom.

Late March:
Before you start tending to your garden, double-check your garden hose. "A lot of people have frost-proof hose bibs," says Paul Chierichetti, a Mr. Rooter franchise owner in Grants Pass, Oregon. "If, however, you've left a hose full of water on that bib and then shut off the nozzle, the hose might have frozen during the winter. The ice will go inside the frost-proof hose bib and burst the tubing body. So when you turn the water back on, all of the water will leak inside of your wall." Thus, check to ensure that your garden hose hasn't frozen, and if it has, make a repair appointment before you put it to use.

Allison Winn Scotch is a New York-based freelance writer. She frequently contributes to Shape, Women's Health, InStyle Weddings, and Parents.