Your 2026 Month-by-Month Home Maintenance Guide

January: Fresh Start Energy | Winter Home Maintenance Tips

Maintain It: Time for those smoke and CO detector battery checks - safety is always a top priority.
Refresh It: Create that reading nook you've been dreaming about. Think cozy lighting, your favorite blanket, and a spot for that coffee mug. (Sometimes self-care is just a corner of quiet.)
Make It Work: Deep clean closets with our favorite trick: blast your best playlist and tackle one shelf at a time. Renting? Command hooks and removable shelving are your best friends for creating your dream closet without losing your deposit.

February: Indoor TLC | Cold Weather Home Care

Maintain It: Replace those HVAC filters and check windows and doors for drafts.
Refresh It:  Time to zhuzh up those shelves! Mix in vintage finds with your books, add some plants, and showcase those quirky items that make you smile. Pro tip: thrift stores and Buy Nothing groups are goldmines for shelf-worthy treasures.
Make It Work:  Weatherstripping tape is the unsung hero of winter comfort. Bonus tip: Run a dryer sheet along your baseboards – they'll repel dust and your space will smell amazing.

March: Spring Peek | Seasonal Home Maintenance Prep

Maintain It: Check windows and drainage areas to prep for spring storms.
Refresh It: Garden dreams start now! Even a sunny windowsill can become your own little produce aisle. Fresh herbs, cherry tomatoes, or just some happy succulents – green things make any space feel more alive.
Make It Work:  Get those windows sparkling with our tried-and-true vinegar and water solution. Renting? Create a mobile garden with pretty containers and vertical planters that can follow you to your next nest.

April: New Growth | Spring Home Maintenance Tips

Maintain It: Make sure all your windows open smoothly for those perfect spring breezes.
Refresh It:  Gallery wall time! Grab those photos sitting in your phone, mix in some art you love, and create a wall that tells your story. (Bonus points if it makes you smile every time you walk by.)
Make It Work:  Perfect your layout by arranging everything on the floor first. Renting? Removable hooks and washi tape are your new best friends for damage-free decor.

May: Outdoor Living | Preparing Your Home for Summer

Maintain It:  Schedule your AC maintenance before the summer temps hit (trust us on this one). Refresh It: Transform your outdoor space into your favorite café. String lights, comfy seating, maybe even a tiny herb garden – instant vacation vibes right at home.
Make It Work:  No permanent fixtures needed! Use rugs and portable screens to define your space. Everything should be ready to move with you to your next perfect spot.

June: Summer Ready | Warm Weather Home Maintenance

Maintain It:  Clean those ceiling fans and check they're spinning the right direction.
Refresh It: Set up the beverage station of your dreams. Iced coffee, fruit-infused water, whatever keeps you cool – make it pretty and make it yours.
Make It Work:  A few drops of essential oil on your AC filter = instant spa vibes. Renting? Removable window film is amazing for privacy and keeping the heat at bay.

July: Heat Management | Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

Maintain It: Deep clean air vents and ensure all cooling systems are working their best.
Refresh It: Time for the summer switch! Pack away heavy blankets, bring in breezy curtains, add some tropical plants. Because if we have to deal with DC humidity, we might as well look good doing it.
Make It Work:  Arrange furniture to catch those sweet AC breezes. Renting? Light-blocking curtains on tension rods are game-changers for keeping cool (and keeping your deposit).

August: Indoor Projects | Mid-Year Home Maintenance

Maintain It: Show those refrigerator coils some love (your energy bill will thank you).
Refresh It: Coffee table makeover time! Mix up your favorite books, add some cool coasters, maybe a quirky container for remotes. Small changes, big impact.
Make It Work: Here's a game-changer: slip a pillowcase over fan blades while cleaning to catch all the dust. Renting? Contact paper can give tired cabinets new life.

September: Fall Prep | Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist

Maintain It: Check all your heat sources and vents before the weather turns.
Refresh It:  Create the entryway of your dreams. A place for keys, a spot to sit, maybe some art that makes you happy to come home to.
Make It Work: Over-door hooks and removable organizers make any entryway work harder. Don't forget to hit those switch plates with a magic eraser – they're usually holding onto summer's fingerprints.

October: Cozy Season | Fall Home Maintenance Tips

Maintain It: Check for drafts around windows and doors before the cold sets in.
Refresh It:  Layer season! Mix textures, pile on the pillows, add some moody lighting. Fall is all about creating your perfect cozy corner.
Make It Work: Draft stoppers are like warm socks for your doors – they work everywhere and make such a difference. Keep those winter clothes fresh with cedar blocks in your closets.

November: Holiday Ready | Pre-Holiday Home Maintenance

Maintain It: Get those kitchen appliances clean and ready for holiday cooking.
Refresh It: Bring the outside in! Pine branches, twinkly lights, whatever makes your space feel magical this holiday season. Winter is all about creating your own warmth.
Make It Work:  Tension rods in cabinets = instant extra storage. Hosting guests? Over-door organizers and folding furniture are your secret weapons.

December: Winter Comfort | Cold Weather Home Maintenance Checklist

Maintain It: Protect your space from winter temps, especially around water sources.
Refresh It: Give your WFH space new life before winter hibernation mode kicks in. Add a cozy seat cushion, a new plant friend, and switch up your desk layout. Sometimes a fresh perspective is all you need to power through those indoor months.
Make It Work: LED candles and string lights create instant cozy vibes without any landlord stress. Use removable hooks for holiday decor – your walls will thank you later.

Nest Pro Tips:

• Snap before/after photos of your home projects
• Use your phone to track paint colors and measurements
• Join your local Buy Nothing group (seriously amazing finds)
• Set reminders for seasonal home maintenance tasks
• When in doubt, check with your property manager first
  

Common Home Maintenance Questions

• How often should I check smoke and CO detectors?
  At least twice a year. Many folks include this in their winter and fall home maintenance routines.
• What home maintenance tasks are renters responsible for?
  Typically filter changes, basic cleaning, and reporting issues early. Always check your lease or ask your property manager.
• Why is seasonal home maintenance important?
  Small, seasonal check-ins help prevent costly repairs and keep your home comfortable year-round.
  

Want this guide on autopilot?

For homeowners who don’t want to keep track of seasonal checklists, reminders, or maintenance timing, Nest DC clients have access to our WellNest Preventative Maintenance Program. It’s designed to handle routine inspections and preventative care throughout the year. Basically, this home maintenance guide, without you having to set alarms or remember what month it is.

If having us keep an eye on the big (and small) things sounds helpful, you can learn more about WellNest here.

Remember

Home isn’t about getting everything done. It’s about creating a space that supports your life. Take what you need from this guide, leave the rest, and come back to it when it’s helpful.

We’re always here if you need a second opinion, a gut check, or just someone to talk things through with. That’s what neighbors are for.