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Home & Reno Show inspires people to make changes at home for year-round enjoyment

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Pandemic lockdowns are long over, but Ontarians are still spending more time at home. And they’re looking for inspirational ideas to help them get the most from their time spent indoors regardless of the season.

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“I think we got so used to it, we’re all in our little comfort bubble and we’re thinking maybe it’s not so great out there anyway,” said Toronto designer Desta Ostapyk, who will be joining Jordan Spear and Mark Rason at the Home & Reno Show DIY Centre, February 3 to 5 at Mississauga’s International Centre, to inspire changes at home that can be enjoyed year-round.

Undertaking a reno in the winter helps to make the short days go by faster and the result can be enjoyed well into spring, summer and fall.

Ostapyk points to fireplaces as an example. From simple updates, such as covering a shiny brass enclosure on an existing wood or gas fireplace with a black high-heat spray paint, to more expensive renovations like adding a new, sleek electric unit to a basement or main living area, fireplaces serve as a great focal point, she said.

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“Any kind of fire creates that cozy ambience and gives you that feeling of warmth and fire and gathering,” said Ostapyk, noting the trend is towards frameless fireplaces. “It’s about creating those zones in our homes … where we can all sit around and have a cocktail or play board games.”

If your home has an older wood-burning fireplace, add clean burning candles, a plug-in log set or twinkle lights in jars in the opening to enjoy a warm atmosphere any time of year, she added.

Winter months are a good time to rethink home lighting in general. Ostapyk says the key is to ensure your rooms use layers of lighting from different sources, including natural light by choosing replacement windows that offer large, unobstructed views.

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Overhead task lighting is important when working in a kitchen or craft area, but you should also introduce ambient lighting fixtures for a more intimate glow. To free up space on bedroom side tables, swap out table lamps for floor models or wall sconces, and always consider incorporating dimmer switches, she says.

“There are even some fun light bulbs now that you can control with your phone or a remote, with different colour temperatures,” said Ostapyk.

Garage makeovers can also make a year-round difference. Ostapyk points to a growing trend to “get stuff off of the ground” by incorporating slatwall panels and shelving for storage, and many homeowners are also morphing garages into extra living space, using them as workspaces, crafting rooms or home gyms.

Ostapyk recommends upgrading your garage door for a well-insulated model that has windows to let natural light in, and giving the floor a facelift using an epoxy kit. For an elevated look choose one of the more decorative options that come with small coloured chips to add a sense of fun to the room.

“It’s easy to hose down when you do a spring cleaning and it makes it feel clean, especially if you’re using it as workspace,” she said.