Blog>How-To Guides>How to make the most of your extra day this leap year
Last updated: 23 February 2024
How to make the most of your extra day this leap year
It's a leap year! That means you either get an extra day this year, or you get to celebrate your birthday for the first time in 4 years! But have you thought about how to spend your extra day yet?
You've got a whole extra day to play with. So how are you going to spend it?
If you’ve got all your maintenance and urgent work done by Checkatrade pros already, then give yourself a pat on the back. You can sit back, relax, and put your feet up.
If you’ve still got jobs lingering, then why not maximise your extra time by scheduling in any quick fixes, or planning your next home improvement project?
Whether you decide to take a much-needed mental health day or you’re looking for projects that can level up your home in less than 24 hours, here are 14 ideas for making the most of your leap day.
14 ideas for the extra day
1. Have an at-home spa day
What could be more relaxing than a long soak in the bath? We’re picturing swathes of bubbles, rows of aromatic candles and a soft, fluffy bathrobe to wrap yourself in afterwards.
Spa-inspired bathrooms are amongst the top interior design trends of 2025, and it’s no surprise why. The post-Covid effect is all about making our homes warm, cosy and safe.
With that in mind, if your bathroom isn’t up to scratch, why not use the extra day to book a quote from an experienced bathroom fitter near you? Transforming your bathroom into an at-home spa could be the perfect thing to look forward to.
2. Have a good old clearout
It may not sound like the most fun way to spend your extra day. But decluttering your home is a great way to make sure it’s somewhere you really want to spend your extra time.
Plus, it can be therapeutic!
Struggle to let go of underused items? Take a leaf out of Marie Kondo’s book and ask whether it sparks joy.
If the answer’s no, bag it up ready to take to the charity shops. Or, if you quickly find yourself swimming in rubbish, get a waste clearance expert to dispose of it all for you.
3. Get baking
Baking is the perfect activity to make the most of your extra day. After all, it can be both fun and productive.
It’s also the perfect family activity if you’ve got children at home. Or at least, they’ll enjoy tasting your handiwork!
Don’t like spending time in your kitchen? Let's change that. Check out our guide to the cost of a Bake Off inspired kitchen to start planning a space you want to bake in!
4. Whip out the paint
A fresh lick of paint can do wonders to transform a home in very little time.
Make the most of your extra 24 hours by sprucing up a tired-looking room in your house – or brightening it up with a new colour palette.
And remember, it’s not just walls that can do with a coat of paint from time to time. Why not use the day to give your front door a colour upgrade? Opting for pastels or a bright and happy yellow could be the ideal way to welcome in the spring season.
Psssst! If painting isn’t your idea of fun, get a local painter and decorator to do it for you – we won’t tell if you don’t!
5. Rearrange your furniture
Tired of looking at the same old views?
Rejigging your furniture is a super quick way to give your space a whole new look and feel. Plus, it doesn’t cost a penny!
If you’re stuck on where to start, consider that sofas don’t have to be placed against a wall. They also make great room dividers if you want to make an open plan space feel cosy and purposeful.
Intrigued? Read our guide on how to divide a room to learn more.
6. Have a movie marathon
Who doesn’t love a movie marathon?
Get some good films lined up, gather together your favourite people and make sure your choice snacks are on hand. It’s a marathon remember, you need the fuel!
If you want to make this an occasion to remember, be sure to get a projector installed in advance.
Or, use your extra day to schedule the work in. That way, you’ll have a space fit for the very best movie marathons for the rest of the year and beyond.
Take a look at our cinema room ideas for more inspiration.
7. Get your boiler serviced
If we asked you what you wanted to gain from an extra day, you’d be unlikely to say a boiler service. But you might well say peace of mind.
Well, guess what? A boiler service is basically that.
It’s peace of mind that your boiler is safe to use. And peace of mind that it’s not going to break down and leave you without heating and hot water any time soon.
Ultimately, a boiler service is a great use of your extra time. Plus, it’ll usually take less than an hour. So, you’ll still have lots of time left to make the most of your extra day in other exciting ways…
8. Get reacquainted with your garden
We know, we know. February often isn’t the nicest month to spend time in the garden. But any other year and it’d be the 1st of March. Plus, the daffodils are in bloom, which means it’s high time to get thoroughly excited about spring.
With that in mind, take the opportunity to get reacquainted with your garden after months indoors.
February is a big month for important garden maintenance like pruning shrubs that have become overgrown, or preparing outdoor seed beds for early vegetables.
Once the essential maintenance is out of the way, cosy up round the fire pit with a blanket, a hot chocolate and some marshmallows to toast.
9. Book in a roof inspection
With spring on the horizon, now is a great time to get a roof inspection booked in.
A roof inspection will catch any damage that’s occurred to your roof over the harsh winter months. So, you can get any small niggles repaired before they become bigger, more expensive problems.
It only takes a few minutes to contact a roofer near you on Checkatrade. So, it’s a no-brainer. After finding the perfect roofing specialist, you’ll still have plenty of time to enjoy the rest of your extra day.
10. Embrace your artistic side
Keen to embrace your artistic side?
Perhaps it’s time to whip out your paints and canvas to create a masterpiece that can deck those freshly painted walls. Or, if your artistic skills aren’t quite that advanced, why not try your hand at an upcycling project?
Take a trip to a reclamation yard or browse online marketplaces to find a tired piece of furniture that needs a little TLC. With some chalk paint and a little imagination, you’ll have the perfect new focal point for your home.
11. Lower your energy bills
What could be a better use of your time than cutting your energy bills?
That’s right, there are plenty of projects you can undertake on your extra day that will reduce your bills – and your level of stress – for the rest of the year.
Upgrading your loft insulation is a quick job that will make a big impact on your bottom line. Similarly, draught-proofing your windows and doors can make an enormous difference.
A couple of other projects that are worth considering include fitting new windows, or investing in solar panels. These may not be quick fixes, but they’re certainly worth the investment… use your extra day to think about it?
12. Indulge in a duvet day
Do you want nothing more than 5 minutes peace and a chance to get some valuable shut-eye?
The extra day this year could be your perfect opportunity. Remind your boss how hard you work and persuade them that a day in bed is the remedy you desperately need.
Then, make your bedroom cosy with some fresh sheets, plump cushions and snuggly blankets. Time to hunker down with a cup of tea, some chocolate and your favourite films streaming on your laptop.
13. Switch out your bathroom hardware
Ever paid much attention to your bathroom taps? You’d be surprised how much of a difference they make.
By swapping your scuffed taps for shiny new fixtures, your bathroom can look brand new in just a day. You can even give it a whole new aesthetic by switching styles – go from traditional to modern or shiny chrome to black.
If you really want to push the boat out, consider switching out your old showerhead for a newer model too. Not only will it look great, but your morning shower will thank you for it!
Just get in touch with a plumber near you to get started.
14. Read a book
If you’ve got a half-read book lying around that you never manage to pick up, now’s your chance.
Use your day to make some headway… and maybe even get it finished!
All you need is the perfect reading spot.
Check out our reading corner ideas or nestle into the perfect window seat. Then, immerse yourself in a whole new world for just one day.
Key takeaways
As you can see, there are so many things you could do with your extra day. So, use it wisely!
Need some help to maximise your day? At Checkatrade, our members are all vetted and have to pass up to 12 checks. So, whatever home improvement project you need help with, you know you’re hiring someone you can trust.
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