42 Productive Things to Do at Home in Winter

As the winter chill settles in, we all quickly huddle into our homes. The soft glow of twinkling lights and candles, the cosiness of fluffy blankets and the aroma of comfort food all help us cocoon into our indoor sanctuary. But this makes staying productive even more of a challenge!

I am sure many of you feel the pull towards a Netflix binge with a dozen blankets just like I do!

But just because you are stuck inside hiding from the weather doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of this time. There are many great ways you can use your time at home to reach goals, organise your life and most of all stay productive.

Let’s explore 42 Productive things to do at home in Winter. Use this list as a guide, pick out the things that resonate most with you and get cracking! You would be astounded how much you can get done on a miserably cold day!

Home Organisation

1. Declutter your Wardrobe

Decluttering your wardrobe in the winter is an excellent way to make space for cosy seasonal clothing, prepare for spring, donate items to those in need, and streamline your morning routine by ensuring easy access to all of your favourite winter garments. You could even make a little extra cash by selling your second hand clothes on Vinted.

2. Sort and File your Paperwork

We all put this job on the bottom of the list, but winter can be a great time to finally stop procrastinating and get to grips with your paperwork! Get back to a clean slate with organised files and easy to reach important documents. This will really reduce your stress in the long run, trust me!

3. Rearrange your Furniture

Rearranging your furniture in winter not only refreshes the look of your living space but also maximises comfort and functionality, creating a cosy and inviting atmosphere for hunkering down during the colder months.

4. Tackle Minor Repairs and Maintenance

Addressing these small tasks around the house now will prevent them from becoming larger issues later on. Make sure the house that you are stuck in right now is both safe and comfortable. By fixing small issues now you can also save time and money in the long term.

5. Do a Deep Clean

Let’s face it, we all need to do a deep clean of our homes right now. It’s like as soon as you’ve finally done one, it’s time to do another! Use this time inside wisely and eliminate built-up dust and germs that could exacerbate seasonal illnesses. I would highly recommend adding this to your list of productive things to do in winter!

6. Clear out the fridge & freezer

Clearing out the fridge and freezer in winter allows you to discard those gross, expired products that you have been trying to ignore, organise your food storage spaces more efficiently and make more room for any hearty, seasonal meal prepping you might do this winter season.

Creative Projects

7. DIY Home Decor

Home decor projects provide a wonderful creative outlet while you spend more time indoors. They allow you to personalise your living space, rejuvenate your home and combat the cold winter blues.

8. Paint or Redecorate a Room

Redecorating a room in winter breathes new life into your home, offering a fresh perspective and revitalising the atmosphere during the darker months. It’s an opportunity to update outdated decor, experiment with new colour schemes, and create a cosy sanctuary to retreat to. And let’s face it, no one wants to be stuck inside painting in the summer.

9. Plan a New Garden Design Ready for Spring

You may not be able to do any gardening right now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start planning! Planning a new garden design in winter sets the stage for a successful growing season ahead, as it allows you to research, brainstorm, and layout your garden vision without the time constraints of outdoor maintenance.

Build your Skills

10. Learn a New Language

Winter is the best time to build your skills! You have more time and you don’t have to go outdoors! I have been learning French on Duolingo for 2 years now and I have found it has really helped with keeping my brain agile. You could even choose a language for a place that you plan to go to in the warmer months.

11. Practice a Musical Instrument

If languages aren’t your thing then you could spend your time inside learning how to play a musical instrument. Creative outlets are always a productive use of time as they can help your cognitive function and will help you have a more balanced life. Just make sure you don’t bother your neighbours too much!

12. Take Online Courses in your Ideal Career

Why not use this time to take a step towards your dream career? There are so many incredible online courses that can get you ahead in your chosen field. One online course on a cold winter day could change your career path forever!

Cooking and Baking

13. Try Out New Winter Recipes

We all fall into the trap of modern life where you are so busy and tired by the time food shopping or dinner comes around that you end up making the same things over and over again. By setting aside time this winter to try out some new recipes you won’t ever fall victim to this monotonous trap!

14. Experiment with Baking

Haven’t we all said “I would love to do more baking but I never have the time”? Well it’s time to make time! There is nothing more cosy than staying in the warm and baking cookies or pies all afternoon. And you get a lovely treat at the end of it!

15. Meal Prep for the Week Ahead

Preparing multiple meals in advanced is a great way to save money and time. Meal prep also tends to be healthier than having to think of making a meal when you are already hungry, as you will subconsciously favour quicker meals which could leave you reaching for the ready meals. I love meal prepping in the winter as you can treat yourself to hearty stews and slow-cooker recipes all week long!

Fitness and Health

16. Practice Meditation or Yoga

Meditation is proven to be very beneficial for your overall mindset. It not only helps decrease stress and anxiety, but it can also improve sleep, enhance concentration and even boost your immune system which is crucial during flu season! If you’re feeling daring you could even try yoga.

17. Workout using Fitness Videos

The last thing you want to do in the winter is brave the cold just to get to the gym. That is why I always workout at home following YouTube videos. It may take some time to find your style of exercising but once you have it can really change your health and your life. Getting enough exercise in the winter is tough, so this can be a real game-changer.

18. Take Time for Self-care

Self-care looks different for everyone. Whether it’s an at home spa day or simply curling up with a good book, taking time for self-care is a very productive thing to do in the winter especially if the weather is getting you down. I have even dedicated a whole post to how to beat the winter blues using self care!

19. Wash your MAKEUP BRUSHES

Many of us are guilty of forgetting to wash our makeup brushes for weeks, including me. I find by allocating a specific time of the week to wash my makeup brushes, I don’t forget it and I have even reduced the frequency of breakouts I get.

Intellectual Pursuits

20. Read the Bookshelf you have been Neglecting

If you’re anything like me, you currently have at least half a bookshelf of books that are still on your “to read” list. Winter is the perfect time to solve that! Reading has so many benefits, from enhancing your knowledge to improving your communication skills. I also love reading as a form of escapism; in winter it is nice to imagine a beautiful sunny day somewhere.

21. Read some Non-fiction on an Interest you have

Or if fiction is not your thing, you could take this time to expand your knowledge and read some non-fiction on something you are interested in. From history to physics, there is always something to learn.

22. Take a Virtual Tour of a Museum

Did you know you don’t even have to leave your house to see some of the most famous museum exhibits? After the events of 2020, many museums started offering virtual tours meaning you can get some culture, education and entertainment all from the comfort of your own home. This is definitely one of the most unique and productive things to do in winter!

Leisure

23. Make a Watchlist of Movies You Need to See

I hate sitting down with dinner and then spending an hour flicking through Netflix, trying to decide what to watch. Avoid this procrastination by making a watchlist of movies and series you want to see on each streaming service you use. It has saved me hours!

24. Binge-watch the New Show You haven’t had Chance for

This doesn’t sound very productive, but leisure should be a big part of your life or you will quickly burnout from overworking with no down time. So here is your sign to go binge watch that new show, guilt-free!

25. Host Cosy Movie Nights with Friends and Family

What better way to get your friends or family together in the winter than with a cosy movie night? Get Netflix, blankets and popcorn and make some great winter memories.

26. Have a Board Game Night

Or if you want a more interactive evening you could stage a board game night. Get your competitive juices flowing and see if your friendships can withstand one more game of monopoly!

27. Tackle Puzzles or Brain Teasers

Puzzles and brain teasers are a great use of time that will keep you from doom scrolling through instagram and TikTok for hours. They can help to improve your brain and they provide a great sense of achievement when you finally crack them!

28. Message an Old Friend

How many friends do you have that you have lost touch with simply because you haven’t messaged in so long that you’re convinced it’s been “too long” and now you can’t message? Message them! That slight chance of awkwardness is not worth losing a true friend over.

29. Socialise!

Winter can be a very isolating time. Everyone is staying in more, there are less places to meet up and there are almost no social events. Making time to socialise with your friends through the winter will help you emotionally and will make sure you never become isolated.

Finance

30. Create a budget

Setting yourself a realistic budget can help you keep track of your spending and consciously improve how you spend and save. By doing this in the winter you could save enough money for an incredible summer ahead!

31. Assess your finances

There are so many ways you can instantly improve your finances. Doing this will set you up for life and can help you save quicker and live better. This might be the most productive thing on the entire list!

32. Cut back on your subscriptions

Many of us sign up to different subscriptions services and then forget to make use of them. Look at all of your subscriptions and see if you can cut out any of them to save yourself some money every month. This is a great quick job that could save you greatly!

33. LEARN HOW TO MAKE MONEY WHILE YOU SLEEP

Learning how to make Passive income is the secret to reaching financial freedom. If you can make money whilst you sleep, your earning potential will never be limited by the time you have per day. If you don’t know where to start, here is my guide to Passive Income for Beginners.

34. START USING SINKING FUNDS

Sinking funds are when you set aside money for expected costs. You can make a sinking fund for any category you like. These could include things like holidays, pet expenses, Christmas or a house deposit. Saving in these smaller pots makes it easier to see and decide where you want your money to go.

Mindset

35. Start a Journal

When starting a journal I was very sceptical but now I absolutely love taking the time to journal! It is a great way of organising your thoughts and becoming more in tune with your emotions and daily feelings.

36. Set Personal Goals

Setting goals is the best way to achieve your targets! I find that 90 Days is a great length of time to set goals because it is long enough that you can set big goals, but not long enough for you to procrastinate working towards them for a long time.

37. SPEND TIME ALONE

Socialising is important. But so is alone time. It is essential that you make time for yourself so that you can clear you mind and truly get to know yourself. Being able to feel happy and not lonely when you’re alone will also help you throughout the rest of your life.

38. MAKE A LIST OF YOUR BAD HABITS

Being aware of your bad habits is the first step to addressing them. Sit down and write a list of any unhealthy habits or things you are not particularly proud of doing. From there you can make a plan of how to tackle them.

39. UNFOLLOW SOCIAL MEDIA THAT ISN’T SERVING YOU

We spend so much time on social media that what you see can end up having a huge impact on your mood. So if there is a page that constantly makes you sad, or you find yourself getting jealous of influencer’s holiday snaps, then unfollow them so that your social media can be as much of a “safe” and “happy” place for you as possible.

40. WRITE DOWN THE BEST PART OF EACH DAY

My favourite way to end the day is writing one sentence about what I loved about the day. It doesn’t have to be much, just something that made you smile. Soon you will have a book full of positive things that have happened in your life that you can look back on.

41. make a DREAM-BOARD for the year

Before setting actual goals, it is good to envision what kind of life you want to work towards this year. Make a dream board full of pictures and words that represent your dreams and inspire you. This will help keep you motivated throughout the year.

42. MUTE OR UNFOLLOW TOXIC FRIENDS

If you truly want to level up your life, there is no space for any toxic friends anymore. Don’t feel guilty for unfollowing them if you know you will be better off without them. If unfollowing them could cause more drama than its worth, then simply mute them so you don’t have to see any of their posts.

Conclusion

Winter is a time for staying in, getting cosy and avoiding the weather! But it can also be a great time for organisation, growth and creativity.

By focusing on staying productive and making the most of your indoor time, you can turn the colder months into a period of transformation and fulfilment. Whether you’re organising your home, learning a new skill, or simply enjoying quality time with loved ones, there are countless ways to thrive inside during the winter months.

So, I challenge you to embrace the season and make this winter your most productive yet!

What are your favourite indoor winter activities? Share them in the comments below!