There is a misconception that renting means bypassing home maintenance projects, but every renter deserves to experience the benefits of living in a well-maintained and comfortable home.

With these, you can create the comfortable getaway we all want with the colder seasons approaching. And by following these five maintenance projects, you won’t just get the benefits of warmth, you could lower energy bills, see fewer spiders—and even get on your landlord’s good side.

1. Keep eight-legged invaders outside

As fall creeps closer, so do the spiders. Fall is prime mating season for spiders, meaning male spiders are out and about. For those who would rather not make any new spider friends this fall, we recommend trying Miss Muffet’s Revenge spray and peppermint oil. While peppermint oil will only deter spiders, Miss Muffet’s Revenge will kill and rid your home of spiders and the webs they weave. 

So if you’re ready to face these pesky spiders, check out our tutorial on both methods.

2. Seal drafty doors to stay cozy

There’s nothing better than walking into your warm home on a brisk day. But when you have leaks in your doors, air can be let in and out even when your doors are closed. Sealing your doors will stop any air releasing or coming in, and keep your home warm and cozy this fall and winter. While comfort is important, so is saving a buck or two. And the good news is sealing your doors and closing any air leaks will cut down energy usage, and in turn, lower your energy bill. 

A quick way to seal leaks around a door is by installing weatherstripping. Check out our step-by-step instructions on this valuable weather-proofing solution. 

3. Make a power outage emergency kit

Nobody wants a storm to put you in the dark, but with the changing weather, it’s better to be safe than sorry! One of the best ways to prepare for an outage is to stock up on all the tools and devices you may need if the lights go out. Grab essentials from your local Dunn Lumber, like power banks,  flashlights, rechargeable LED lights, and extra batteries. 

4. Rain-proof stairs 

As Pacific Northwesterners, we are not strangers to rainy days or slippery steps. Rather than using old-school non-skid tape, we found a more aesthetically pleasing solution to rainproofing stairs. By applying a rainproof coating that combines a solution by GacoDeck with a polyurethane finish stain, you cover more surface area and rid your steps of more potential slip areas. To learn how, check out our tutorial. 

5. Refresh your living space

If you’re going to be spending more time inside your home this fall and winter, you might as well like the walls around you! Fall is a great time to refresh your living space by changing up your home decor, or touching up your walls with a fresh coat of paint. Before you go picking out paint swatches and painting supplies, you may need to spackle some old holes. For tips on spackle and supplies for your living room refresh, check out our DIY Project Series: spackle and paint applicators.

Whether you’re a renter or a homeowner, we hope these tips and tutorials help you make it yours at home this fall.  If you’re new to the DIY world, check out our how-to guide on basic tools that’ll come in handy when taking on any home project.