The Seasonal Home Refresh Checklist

Autumn: prepare for wet and dark

• Clear gutters and check downpipes before the first storm.
• Wash windows while the light is still long.
• Swap summer textiles for wool, and add a rug pad under winter rugs.
• Test every lamp, then add bulbs at 2700 K for the darker months.

Damp is the expensive one. Deal with any sign of it now; paint and plaster are cheap in September and costly in February.

Winter: protect against condensation

Ventilate daily even when it is cold: ten minutes with windows open beats mould treatment in spring. Keep furniture 5 cm off external walls so air can move.

Check the seals on doors and windows, and shift rugs away from the wettest routes through the house. The entry is usually the problem room — see entryway solutions.

Spring: repair and repaint

• Touch up paint while windows can stay open.
• Wash or dry-clean anything with a removable cover.
• Check furniture joints and tighten screws before they loosen further.
• Store winter textiles clean, not dirty.

Repainting is easier when the palette is already decided — see choosing paint colours that last.

Summer: shade and ventilate

Shade the sun before it enters the room rather than cooling the air after. External blinds or awnings work far better than internal ones.

Use the long days for the jobs that need light: deep cleaning, small repairs, and photographing anything you plan to sell or replace. Review what you have not used since last summer, and move it on.