Traditionally, people set personal improvement goals such as eating healthier, starting a new hobby or rekindle old friendships as their New Year’s resolutions. The ultimate purpose of any New Year’s resolution is usually to improve your quality of life. Since you likely spend more time at home than anywhere else, why not consider a New Year resolutions for your home. We hope our ideas inspire you to tackle the home projects that will improve your quality of life.
1. Declutter and Organize
First things first, gather two boxes and a large trash bag. Focus on one room closet and or storage area at a time. Let the decluttering begin.
- Place items for donation and or try your hand at selling online. Sort and place in a box. Items to consider are gently unused clothing, duplicate kitchen gadgets, unused toys, books. If you choose to try your hand at selling online and not sold within 45 days, it may be time donate and or toss out.
- Items that a more than gently used and or you have not gotten around making the DIY repair, it’s may be time to simply get rid of it.
Now that your closets and storage area are clean of the excess items it’s time to get organized. Consider shelving units for your closets to maximize space. Take a look at Organized Living Design Tool or visit your local home improvement store online tool.
2. Make Your Home Safe
Perform safety check on the following items. If you do not have these
- Installing carbon monoxide detectors
- Replacing batteries in smoke detectors
- Purchasing a fire extinguisher for the kitchen
- Check exterior lighting is in working order. Consider motion-sensing lights on the side and rear of your house
3. Create a Weekly Cleaning Plan
You can save time on the weekend by scheduling house cleaning tasks over the course of the week. Before you begin, determine the length of your schedule, this will allow you to manage your weekly plan without it being overwhelming. Think through the following as you plan the schedule.
- List your tasks
- Determine how often. For example, if you have pets that stay indoors, vacuuming daily and or 3-4 time a week may be necessary.
- Assign specific tasks to specific days.
- Get everyone involved, assign everyone a task.
- Create and post the schedule so you’ll see it and will stick to it.
4. DIY Repairs and Home Improvements
It’s time to roll up your sleeves and complete those DIY repairs you’ve been meaning to get around to. Many DIY projects are inexpensive and do not require a lot of your time.
The Kitchen
- Install organizers in your cabinets.
- Refresh and paint your cabinets.
- Replace old kitchen hardware with new pulls and knobs.
The Bathroom
- Fix that leaky faucet.
- Clean mineral deposits from your shower head.
- Install a towel warmer.
Living Room and Bedrooms
- Fix scratched and creaky floorboards.
- Refresh windows by installing window cornices.
- Refinish and repaint baseboards.
Certain repairs and or home improvement projects such as electrical work and roof repair, you may want to consult a licensed professional.
5. Improve Energy-Efficiency in Your Home
Small, budget-friendly improvements can yield results. Inspect your home by taking a walk throughout your home, as well as, the exterior. Below are quick and easy checks and solutions you can execute and or plan for during your inspection.
- Check for air leaks in windows and doors. Caulk and weather-strip around drafty doors and windows.
- Install a programmable thermostat which automatically adjusts the temperature during the day or at night. This can reduce your energy bills by up to 10 percent.
- Have your heating system checked up once a year. A licensed professional will make sure that your system is operating efficiently and safely. Checkups can identify problems early.
Consider strategies to lower your utilities bill. Increasing energy-efficiency in your home will yield many returns.
At Robuck Homes, we strive to helping our homeowners gain the most enjoyment from their homes. Happy New Year!
