Before you know it, temperatures will begin to fall here in Central California, and as the days get shorter, winter will be here in no time. As your Lake Nacimiento real estate agent, I’d like to share some tips with you on how you can prepare your home for the darker, colder months ahead. This is a great opportunity to make your home warmer and cozier, so it feels more welcoming than ever!

Incorporate some of these tips for your Lake Nacimiento home this fall:

• Clean light fixtures. According to House Logic, just cleaning dirty light fixtures and dusty bulbs can make your home appear 30 percent brighter without turning on more lights! This is an eco-friendly, smart way to enjoy more light without more energy costs. Clean windows for more natural light, too.

• Seal air leaks. Don’t overpay in heating costs because of air leaks and drafts. Use a scented candle to walk around your Lake Nacimiento home. Notice when the flame blows around. Windows and doors are obvious places for drafts. Other lesser known places could include electrical boxes, recessed lights or wall outlets.

• Change HVAC filters. This should be done every couple months. This helps your system work more efficiently, and it cuts back on the amount of dust particles floating around your interior. Keeping your air vents clean will help as well.

• Fill your home with plants. Find some indoor, winter-friendly plants, such as golden pothos or gerbera daisies, to purify the air in your Lake Nacimiento home when it’s closed up for winter. Plus, seeing them can improve your mood and help you feel closer to nature when it’s cold and dreary outside.

• Add bright colors. If you’ve got a dark room with few windows, or rooms that face north and don’t get much sunlight, paint an accent wall in red, orange or yellow. Or, stick with neutral paint colors and add bright pops of color from accessories, like pillows or throws. These make a room feel extra cozy in winter, too.

• Add bonus features. Aside from pillows and throws, you could put down large rugs on hardwood floors, add thicker drapes for your windows at night, bake savory smelling dishes in your oven, keep your fireplace lit often if you have one, and light scented candles for a warm, cozy glow. Holiday décor is another great way to add a spice of life to your interior.

Keep cozy this winter. The forecast is calling for rain, so for the sake of Central California and Lake Nacimiento, let’s hope that’s true! In the meantime, we can prepare our homes for the winter months with these bright ideas.

When you’re ready to buy a Lake Nacimiento home, or ready to sell your Lake Nacimiento home, contact me, your Central California real estate agent! I’d love to help you out this fall!

From Grace Borzini
grace@oakshoresrealty.com