As the holiday decorations come down and the New Year settles in, January is the perfect time to focus on your home’s care and safety. It’s all about small, manageable tasks that protect your space and set you up for success throughout the year. With a little effort now, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your home is ready to handle whatever winter—and the year ahead—throws at it.

Here’s a straightforward January Home Maintenance Checklist to help you get started.

1. Plan Your Year’s Home Projects

While you’re spending more time indoors, take this opportunity to map out the home projects you’d like to tackle this year. Whether it’s replacing outdated light fixtures, refreshing a room with a new coat of paint, or upgrading your outdoor space, writing your goals down makes it more likely you’ll achieve them.

A family I know planned to install a mudroom bench to better manage snowy boots and winter coats. By putting it on their January list, they had it ready just in time for spring mud season.

2. Clean Kitchen Cabinets and Hardware

Holiday meals and parties often leave a little evidence—greasy fingerprints, splatters, and spills—on your kitchen cabinets. Now’s the time to give them a thorough wipe-down.

Use a cleaner designed for your cabinet material, like a gentle wood cleaner for wooden cabinets or a multi-surface spray for laminates.

3. Update Your Home Inventory List

Accidents and disasters can happen when you least expect them. Having an up-to-date home inventory list is invaluable if you ever need to file an insurance claim.

If you don’t already have one, start now by taking photos or videos of your home’s contents and jotting down descriptions. If you have an existing list, update it to reflect any new items you may have received over the holidays.

4. Replace Water Filters

Water filters should be replaced once or twice a year, depending on your household size and usage. If it’s been a while since you last swapped yours out, now’s the time.

A friend of mine was amazed at how much better their tap water tasted after replacing an overdue filter. It’s an easy win for better hydration and cleaner cooking water.

5. Brainstorm Outdoor Landscaping Projects

While your garden may be dormant now, January is the perfect time to start planning your outdoor upgrades. Safe, well-designed landscaping can increase your home’s value and enhance its curb appeal.

Consider adding lighting to walkways or entryways for both safety and ambiance. Sketch out ideas for planting beds, outdoor seating areas, or new trees so you’re ready to hit the ground running when warmer weather arrives.

6. Clean and Organize Closets

If holiday clutter has left your closets bursting at the seams, it’s time for a refresh. Use leftover holiday boxes to pack up unused clothes or items for donation. Here’s our handy how-to post!

I tackle my closet every January, and this year I rediscovered a winter coat they loved but had forgotten about—it felt like getting something new without spending a dime!

7. Check for Ice Dams

Ice dams—those thick ridges of ice that form on the edge of your roof—can cause significant damage if left untreated. Look for telltale signs like icicles, water stains on your ceiling, or an unusually cold attic.

If you spot an ice dam, take steps to remove it carefully, or hire a professional to handle it.

8. Protect Pipes from Freezing

Frozen pipes are a homeowner’s nightmare, but they’re preventable with a few simple precautions. Insulate exposed pipes, let faucets drip during extreme cold, and keep your thermostat set to a consistent temperature.

9. Wash Blankets and Comforters

The blankets and comforters that kept you cozy over the holidays deserve a little love, too. Launder them to freshen them up—you’ll thank yourself when you curl up for your next movie marathon.

Pro Tip: Add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to your dryer balls for an extra layer of freshness.

Take the First Step Toward a Better Year

January is all about laying the groundwork for a safe, comfortable, and well-maintained home. Whether you’re tackling ice dams, planning landscaping projects, or simply curling up with freshly laundered blankets, every small step adds up.

Here’s to a year of cozy spaces, safe surroundings, and stress-free homeownership!