One of the perks of living in the south is the minimal effects of winter we experience. Although we don’t have snow and blizzards here, the temperatures are beginning to drop and you’re probably spending less time outdoors in the pool or at the beach and spending more of your days indoors. Avoid letting the winter blues set in by taking on one of these home improvement projects:

Do some painting

Repaint your neutral colored walls to liven things up a bit. A new coat of paint can dramatically lift your mood and the mood of the entire room. Plus, paint dries best in colder weather. Not sure what colors to go with? Check out the list of 2017 paint colors of the year to get some ideas. If your DIY spirit really kicks in, try adding some patterns to an accent wall using painters tape. Or install crown molding to give your room a more elegant look.

Change out your light bulbs

Out with the old and in with the new. Trade out the lightbulbs in your home with energy-efficient ones. They provide the same brightness using less energy, and last 15 times longer than standard bulbs. Although the upfront cost of these bulbs is more than regular ones, by replacing your home's five most frequently used light fixtures, or the bulbs in them, with models that have earned the ENERGY STAR, you can save $45 each year.

Revamp your bathroom

Start with easy updates like replacing your faucet, re-grouting tile, or repainting the walls. Depending on how ambitious you’re feeling, consider replacing the tile on the floor, installing a new vanity, or replacing your toilet with a new one. It’s probably a good idea to call a professional to take care of the bigger projects. Get inspired from some of these bathroom remodel ideas on Pinterest.

Install a backsplash

Installing a backsplash is a simple way to add some flavor to your kitchen. Use a textured tile with a pop of color to enhance the look of your countertops and cabinets. Or go with a sleek, neutral tile to add elegance to the room. Review this guide from HGTV first to learn how to install a backsplash on your own.

Give your front door a face lift

Your front door has more visual impact on your home than you may realize. Instead of replacing your door with a brand new one, try sprucing it up yourself instead. Painting your door is the easiest way to give your home instant curb appeals. Click here to find the best color for your front door. You can also change the doorknob. Updated hardware is an instant fix for an outdated door. Add dimension to a flat door by adding molding. This creates a more elegant and expensive look to a basic door.

Declutter your closet

If becoming more organized was one of your New Year’s resolutions, then this is the perfect task to get you moving in the right direction. You’re more likely to put things away if you create a place for them. Closets are a good first step to get more organized because they are the easiest to customize by installing shelving, adding shoe racks, and hanging over-the-door mirrors that store jewelry inside. Go through your clothes and donate items that you no longer wear to your local Goodwill or consignment shop. Check out this post for more ideas to help you get your closet in order.

Working on home projects is a great way to keep yourself active, add value to your home, and improve your living space. By focusing on the inside of your home while the weather is cooler, you’ll have a lot more time to tackle the warmer-weather stuff when spring rolls around.