Fall Checklist for Small Apartments
Published How we research
The weeks before heating season are the easiest time to get a small apartment ready. Drafts are simpler to find while it is still mild, stores still stock weatherproofing supplies, and swapping summer gear into storage frees space before winter coats and boots take it over.
Find and fix drafts early
On a breezy day, hold a stick of incense or a strip of tissue near window frames, door edges, outlets on exterior walls and around the air conditioner. Where the smoke or tissue moves, air is leaking in. Mark those spots so you can seal them before the first cold snap.
Use removable solutions in a rental: foam weatherstripping on doors and windows, rope caulk around loose frames, a door draft stopper and window insulation film. If you have a window air conditioner, remove it or cover it with an insulated cover, and report broken seals or cracked glass to your landlord.
Get heating and air quality ready
Test radiators, baseboard heaters or your thermostat before you actually need them, and report problems now, when maintenance teams are less busy. Vacuum dust from radiators and heater vents, since the first heat of the season often burns off dust and smells.
If you use a portable space heater, check the cord for damage, confirm it has tip-over and overheat protection and plan to keep it at least three feet from curtains and bedding. Heating dries the air, so consider a humidifier if winter usually brings dry skin and static, and replace the filter in your air purifier.
Swap your storage for the season
Wash and fully dry summer clothes, fans and outdoor cushions before storing them, since damp fabric in sealed bins turns musty. Vacuum-seal bulky summer bedding and move it under the bed or to the top of the closet.
Bring winter coats, boots and bedding into easy reach and set up a spot by the door for wet shoes and umbrellas, such as a boot tray and over-the-door hooks, so water and grit do not travel through a small home.
Safety checks worth five minutes
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries if needed. Check that you know where your electrical panel is and that extension cords are not running under rugs, where they can overheat unnoticed.
Finally, check your renter's insurance covers winter risks such as burst pipes from the unit above, and keep a small kit with a flashlight, spare batteries and a phone power bank in case of storm-related outages.
Prepare for dark evenings
Shorter days make small apartments feel smaller. Swap cool daylight bulbs in living areas for warmer tones in the evening, add a plug-in floor lamp to dark corners, and use timers or smart plugs so a light is on when you get home.
Check that entryway and closet lighting works, since dark closets are where things get lost in winter. Battery-powered motion lights inside closets and under cabinets need no wiring and come down cleanly when you move.
Products from this article
The highest-scoring picks from the buying guides mentioned above. Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings.
+ PTC ceramic element heats a small room fast with a quiet fan mode for bedrooms
From our guide: Best Space Heaters for Small Rooms
+ Four 360-degree wheels, two with locks, make sliding it out from under a low bed effortless
From our guide: Best Under-Bed Storage Containers for Small Apartments
+ Tall narrow footprint, just 17.6 inches wide
From our guide: Best Shoe Racks for Small Entryways
+ IP34 water-resistance rating makes it one of the few heaters safe for a cold rental bathroom
From our guide: Best Space Heaters for Small Rooms
Popular right now
- Best Damage-Free Wall Hooks for RentersBuying guide
- Best Air Purifiers for Small ApartmentsBuying guide
- Best Quiet Fans for Small BedroomsBuying guide
- Best Compact Ironing Boards for Small ApartmentsBuying guide
- Best Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper for RentersBuying guide
- Small-Space Coffee Station IdeasArticle
Based on the last 28 days of search and visitor data.