Every year, we set resolutions for how we want things to go in different areas of our lives. But one thing we often overlook is our home. It’s important to show your home the same self-love and care you show for yourself. You can give your home that same fresh start! Here are eight new year’s resolutions for your home.
Minimize Clutter
You would be surprised at how much stuff you can accumulate in a year, especially if you move in with a partner or spouse for the first time. Up to 50% of adults are married but many don’t account for the goods and valuables their partner brings in before deciding to move in together. Minimize the mess by clearing out closets and drawers of unwanted and unused items. This is one of the most productive new year’s resolutions for your home. Pick one room to concentrate on each month to make this process easier. You can donate these items to charity and receive a tax write-off. You and your family will be better able to find the things you need when you’re in a hurry because you are more organized with fewer things getting in the way. If you find that one area of your home is consistently messy or cluttered, like a home office, you can look for storage alternatives or even consider renting out space for more room. Storage units are a great way to store seasonal goods. Renting an office space or co-working space can be a great way to minimize clutter in the home and help you focus at work.
Develop a House Cleaning System
By having a system to clean your home on a regular basis, you can eliminate much of the stress and worry when uninvited guests arrive unexpectedly. You can stay organized by keeping all of your cleaning supplies in one carryall that can travel with you from room to room. Wear a builder’s apron while you clean that can stash plastic bags and sponges and hold on to your cleaning spray bottles with its loops to free up your hands.
Focus on one type of cleaning task at a time such as wiping down all the cabinets first before moving on to wiping down all the countertops. Divide and conquer by splitting the work three ways among family members. One person deep cleans the bathroom, one person scrubs the kitchen, and the third person dusts, vacuums, and takes out the trash. You can alternate these tasks to make things fair. Plus, you can get everything done in about 45 minutes which gives everyone more time to enjoy the things they love most.
Update Your Emergency Kit
It is important to make sure your family is ready for emergencies by updating your first aid and disaster kits. Check to see if you have enough water for each family member and pet for at least three days. New year’s resolutions mean prioritizing safety and health, too! You may also want to consider having an extra supply of medications, clothes, blankets, spare batteries, flashlight, transistor radio, and canned food with a can opener.
Freshen Up Your Walls
You can make a resolution to give your walls a fresh look with a new coat of paint. While there are hundreds of paint options to choose from at the home improvement store, a professional painter can help you find options you may never be able to find yourself. Spice things up by choosing bright cheerful colors rather than sticking to plain vanilla white walls. You can use lighter colors to make small rooms bigger and darker colors to make rooms look smaller.
You should also consider wall art and shelves to decorate your space. Many people rely on knick-knacks and decor to grace their tables, but bringing these items skyward can truly make an impact by freeing up your space. Consumers spend an estimated 7 billion online in the U.S. alone: coming up with new ways to display your various goods can take your home to the next level. Also, here is some great information on clear span buildings!
Perform a Home Safety Check
Make sure your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are working properly and have a fresh set of batteries. Check the manufacturing dates on the devices. Replace carbon monoxide detectors that are over five years old and smoke alarms that are over ten years old. You should also have at least one carbon monoxide detector for each level of your home and a smoke alarm in the hallway, attic, basement, and each bedroom. In addition, make sure you have adequate support in terms of floor grip and stairway railings. This is especially important if you plan on aging in place. After all, in a given year almost 25% of Americans over 65 fall down in their own homes.
Get Energy Efficient
Cut down on heating and cooling costs by installing a programmable thermostat in your home. Turn off lights each time you leave a room and shut off the furnace or air conditioner when you leave the home. Check your furnace on a monthly basis and clean or replace the filters. Use thick curtains for insulation during the winter and summer months. Also, make sure doors and windows are properly sealed. This might be one of those new year’s resolutions that takes a little while, but it will be well worth it.
You can use smart home technology to control your thermostat and lights remotely to cut down on energy costs. Install LED light bulbs, refresh your ceiling insulation, and replace single-pane windows with insulated ones. Turn off power supply strips when attached appliances or electronic gadgets are not in use. Taking the time to do these little things can really add up in savings that you can use for emergencies or for larger home renovation projects. According to the National Association of Realtors, about 34% of new homebuyers looked to avoid potential plumbing and electricity and problems. Make sure your energy use isn’t an issue in your home.
Check Your Home For Potential Repairs
Check your roof and take a look at your plumbing and air conditioning coils as well as your furnace for potential leaks. Also, look for signs of rodent activity or other pests, such as termites or carpenter ants. You will also want to look for mold growth as well as cracks appearing in your foundations. Taking care of these issues early can save you from costly repairs later on. Keep in mind that getting a hard money loan can take as little as seven or eight days. If you’re able to pay back the loan quickly, it can get you out of a tight bind.
Get Financially Ready For Renovation
In the United States, about 85% of homes were built before 1980 and require home improvement. Making major updates may require some extra cash you don’t have readily on hand. You can go to the bank and request a loan to help you make repairs. While approximately 26.9% of small business loans are approved by big banks, homeowners can be more likely to get approved by using their home as collateral.
Make a list of the repairs that need the most attention. Do your research and get estimates so you can figure out how much money you will need for a loan. Only take out as much as you can reasonably afford to pay back on a monthly basis.
Start off right with these eight new year’s resolutions for your home. While you are making goals for yourself, consider what goals are most important for your home as well. Your home is a reflection of you so make time to give it a good first impression for visitors who may stop by from time to time. Then you will be able to make the next year the best year yet.