The end of November arrives with a certain flair. The penultimate month of the year often feels like the last deep breath before the festive plunge. It’s the perfect pocket of time to tackle a few home maintenance tasks that are surprisingly quick but have a big impact. These aren’t massive, weekend-stealing renovations.
Instead, they are small, smart moves that set your home up for a smoother, more efficient winter and holiday season. Completing these projects now means less stress later, so you can focus on more important things, like perfecting your gravy recipe or mastering the art of the post-feast nap.
Here are five projects you can do in November without taking a lot of time.
1. Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat
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Dealing with a manual thermostat can feel like a constant negotiation with a tiny, uncooperative roommate. You turn it down before leaving for work, only to come home to a frigid house. You crank it up for comfort, then wake up in a sweat, realizing you’ve been heating an empty home all night. Installing a programmable or smart thermostat removes this manual dance from your daily routine.
These devices allow you to set a heating schedule that aligns with your life, automatically lowering the temperature when you’re away or asleep and warming things up just before you get home or wake up. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests that setting your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day can reduce heating costs by about 10 percent. It’s an upgrade that automates savings and comfort without requiring daily attention.
2. Insulate Your Water Heater
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Your water heater is one of the hardest-working appliances in your home, constantly using energy to keep a large tank of water hot for your showers, laundry, and dishes. Often located in an unheated space like a basement, garage, or utility closet, it continuously loses heat to the surrounding cold air. This heat loss, known as standby heat loss, forces the appliance to cycle on more frequently just to maintain the water temperature.
You can significantly reduce this energy waste by wrapping the tank in an insulating blanket. This simple project is surprisingly effective and can reduce water heating costs by a noticeable amount. It’s a straightforward task that involves little more than wrapping the blanket around the tank and securing it with tape.
3. Prepare Kitchen Surfaces for Holiday Duty
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The holiday season transforms the kitchen into the heart of the home, a bustling hub of cooking, baking, and gathering. This increased activity also brings a higher risk of spills, stains, and scratches to your countertops and cutting boards. Taking a moment in November to properly care for these surfaces prepares them for the marathon ahead.
The specific care required depends on the material. Laminate and quartz are low-maintenance, typically needing just a good cleaning. However, natural materials like butcher block, marble, and granite benefit from being sealed. Sealing creates a protective barrier that helps prevent liquids from seeping in and causing stains or, in the case of wood, warping.
4. Get the Guest Room Ready
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If friends and family will be staying over during the holidays, November is the ideal time to make sure their accommodations are comfortable and welcoming. This doesn’t require a complete redesign. Simple touches can transform a spare room from a storage space into a proper retreat. Check that the bed is comfortable and has fresh, clean linens.
Add an extra blanket and a variety of pillows to accommodate different preferences. Clear some space in the closet or a dresser drawer so guests don’t have to live out of their suitcase. A small basket with essentials like a spare phone charger, a bottle of water, and the Wi-Fi password is a thoughtful detail that makes guests feel cared for.
Quick Look:
- Why It’s a Good Option: Preparing the guest space in advance removes a major task from your pre-holiday to-do list. When guests arrive, you can relax and enjoy their company instead of scrambling to find clean sheets or clear out a room. A well-prepared space shows your guests you’re happy to have them.
- Helpful Tips: If you don’t have a dedicated guest room, think about how to make an alternative space more comfortable. For an air mattress, place it on a rug to add insulation from a cold floor. For a pull-out sofa, a mattress topper can dramatically improve comfort. Also, check that there’s a clear path to the bathroom and consider adding a nightlight in the hallway.
5. Clean Your Major Cooking Appliances
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Your oven and stovetop are about to enter their busiest season. Before you start cooking for a crowd, it’s wise to give them a deep clean. Grease and food debris that have built up over time are not just unsightly; they can also become a fire hazard when subjected to high cooking temperatures. Thanksgiving, in fact, is the peak day for home cooking fires.
Start by cleaning your stovetop and any drip pans. Then, tackle the oven interior. While using the self-clean function might seem tempting, it puts immense stress on the appliance and can sometimes cause it to fail at the worst possible moment. A DIY cleaning solution of baking soda, water, and vinegar is a gentler and surprisingly effective alternative.
Head into the Holidays on Solid Ground
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With these projects checked off your list, you can step into the holiday season with a greater sense of calm and preparedness. Your home will be more comfortable, more efficient, and ready for whatever the coming weeks bring. Instead of reacting to problems as they arise, you’ve proactively managed your space. Now, with a few hours of work behind you, you have a clear runway to enjoy the warmth and good company of the season.