Bundling Up Before the Cold: Thumbtack’s Top Trending Home Projects Ahead of Winter

Trending Indoor Home Projects

As the leaves start to fall and the days feel shorter, people are spending more time inside. Whether it’s reducing clutter and organizing their closet, deep cleaning their bathrooms, or prepping their house for a sale, we found that homeowners are sprucing up their indoor spaces.

Here’s a peek at the top projects homeowners are tackling inside their homes this year:

It’s Getting Colder, but the Housing Market is Heating Up

With mortgage rates declining, it could be just the time for homeowners who have been waiting on the sidelines to consider listing their homes. Despite winter being a traditionally slow time for buying and selling, our data shows that people are dipping their toes in the water, with real estate agent (+131% YoY) and real estate appraisal (+117% YoY) requests up substantially this fall. 

Nothing catches a buyer’s eye like a beautiful, well-maintained yard—in fact, 69% of homeowners recently told us that curb appeal was an important factor in the purchase of their home. And homeowners are hard at work improving their home’s exterior - outdoor landscaping and design projects are up 20% year-over-year in addition to high-impact maintenance projects like pressure washing and exterior painting increasing in popularity. 

According to Bret Douglas, Thumbtack Pro Advisor and Owner of Ironclad Landscape Management, late fall is a great time to tackle tree work, bed maintenance, and any heavy pruning you’ve neglected throughout the year. So whether you’re ready to put your house up for sale or are just considering a move once the snow melts, it doesn’t hurt to prep your home now!

Upgrades In, Overhauls Out: Homeowners Are Getting Crafty with These Popular Projects

This fall, homeowners are focusing on minor upgrades and improvements that spruce up their living space rather than full-scale renovations. Projects like carpet repair/replacement (+57% YoY), upholstery and furniture cleaning (+49% YoY), closet and shelving system installation (+47% YoY), and floor repair (+44% YoY) are all spiking as people prepare to spend more time indoors. 

Reupholstering older furniture has become a popular way to refresh spaces sustainably. Many homeowners are opting for durable, eco-friendly fabrics to extend the life of their beloved pieces, adding both style and longevity to their interiors. 

Speaking of longevity, we’re also seeing a rise in projects that allow people to stay in their homes long-term, with railing installations and home modifications for accessibility up year-over-year. All these improvements, whether for function or style, can help homeowners feel cozy and safe this winter.

Trending Outdoor Home Projects

While indoor projects are top of mind as the cold front rolls in, homeowners aren’t neglecting their home’s exterior. We took a look at the top outdoor projects trending this fall. Here’s what we found: 

Homeowners are prioritizing must-do maintenance while still having fun with a few aesthetic improvements. With weatherization, cleaning, and routine repair projects up, homeowners are getting all their preventative tasks completed before winter rolls in. But they’re also splurging a little - with projects like holiday light installations and water feature installations bubbling up on the trending projects list.

The Holidays Come Sooner Each Year

Speaking of having a little fun, it’s no secret that homeowners are getting festive and decorating earlier each year— starting with Halloween decor as early as September, then transitioning to winter decorations and holiday lights by early November. Holiday light installations have lit up (+116% YoY) this fall, showing that Americans are eager to embrace the holiday spirit.

Homeowners are staying in the festive spirit longer and decorations don’t necessarily come down when the season ends. Versatile, all-season exterior lighting has surged in popularity, offering the perfect blend of subtle LED lighting for everyday use and vibrant holiday colors for festive occasions, making it easier to keep your home beautifully lit year-round.

Homeowners Start Preparing for the Power of Mother Nature

After this summer’s record-breaking heat waves and an unprecedented hurricane season, homeowners are taking steps to fortify their houses against upcoming winter storms and inclement weather. People want to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws at them, and we’ve seen a sharp increase in projects like weatherization (+118% YoY), generator installation (+115% YoY), generator repairs (+80% YoY), and emergency plumbing (+55% YoY).

Ahead of the incoming arctic chill, be sure your home’s heating system is in peak condition by scheduling a furnace inspection and regularly replacing filters to optimize HVAC efficiency. Another consideration is preparing your roof for winter weather. Nick Bennett, Thumbtack Pro Advisor and owner of AC INC Roofing, suggests homeowners ensure their gutters are free of debris, leaves, or twigs that can lead to water build-up. Clogged gutters can cause ice dams, leading to leaks and possibly structural damage. These small, preventative measures can protect your home from whatever winter brings.

Tis the Season for Repairs

We also looked at the top repairs homeowners are tackling right now. From fixing a few things around the house to avoiding plumbing emergencies while hosting Thanksgiving dinner, homeowners are taking steps to ensure their homes will run smoothly. 

Getting Started on Your Pre-Winter Projects

Getting your home winter-ready isn’t just about staying cozy—it’s about protecting your biggest investment, keeping your family safe, and making sure you're saving on energy costs. By taking care of essential maintenance and seasonal upgrades now, you’ll avoid expensive repairs and enjoy quality time with family and friends this holiday season.

If you’re unsure where to start, our free fall maintenance guide offers personalized, seasonal recommendations based on your home and location. Download the Thumbtack app (available on Android and iOS) for a free home maintenance guide and start checking projects off your to-do list.

Methodology:

All year-over-year comparison data is based on comparisons between September 2023 and September 2024 and examines projects that have the greatest year-over-year increase and the greatest increase by volume. All pricing data is based on national average cost estimates using data provided by Thumbtack Pros and additional research, real prices may vary based on city and supply.