Winterize Your Clients: Fall into the season with plentiful design projects.

With more brisk weather already moving into many parts of the country and the official start of winter just a couple of months away, NOW is the perfect time to remind clients that they need to prepare their homes for the chilly days ahead. Who knows your clients homes better than you do? And what better way to touch base with them than to provide them with some friendly counsel?

As a visit to your local pharmacy will surely remind you: flu season is already here. Similarly, ads you see on TV or the internet are prompting you to realize that the holiday season is rapidly approaching. So, it’s not just time for your flu shot (if you choose to get one) but to also give your clients’ homes an infusion of warmth―be it preparing the home for the chill of winter or beautifying it for the season of entertaining and family gatherings that’s just around the bend.

Some things to remind your clients of are replacing filters for their furnaces, air filters, humidifiers, water purifiers, and refrigerators. Setting aside some pantry space and stocking up on hand sanitizer, wipes, facial tissues, OTC medications, and other necessities for cold and flu season. Dedicating space for indoor fitness activities. Alas, if they don’t have a fireplace, outdoor heating appliances, are short on cabinet space, or haven’t incorporated a home gym… well, all the better for you, the designer. You are needed!

Having adequate lighting with the proper luminescence and hue is especially important during the winter months to offset the long hours without exposure to sunlight. With many people still working from at home, proper task lighting―preferably with different settings for different types of tasks―is critical. And are your clients’ kitchen areas ready for supplemental meal prep? Their dining rooms ready for extra guests? Bars stocked and equipped for forthcoming festivities? If the answer is no, this is your moment to get busy and reap the benefits.

I’m sure you can think of many other measures your clients can take to make their homes safer, more comfortable, and more inviting during the coming months. Make a list and put together a friendly email or e-newsletter reminding them to get their home ready for winter. Of course, also let them know you’re available to advise and assist them with any upgrades, improvements, or preparations for the holidays they may be considering.