Your home is likely where you spend most of your time — especially these days. That being the case, the way it looks and feels has a huge impact on your overall well-being.
The start of a new year is an ideal time to set some resolutions for creating a healthy and happy home.
Here are some of our favorite (easy!) home-improvement resolutions you might consider this year.
1. Organize Your Space
Clutter is a big (and relatable) home challenge. Things can start to pile up quickly during busy times of the year (heyyy, holidays), and that can make us feel even more stressed than usual. A great resolution for this year is to get your home organized so that you can feel relaxed when you’re there.
This can feel like a daunting task, so start small and tackle one room at a time. Look for simple fixes. Start by donating, recycling, and throwing away items you don’t need; chances are you’re holding onto more unnecessary things than you’ve realized.
Once that’s done you can create some systems to help you keep things organized now and moving forward. Try adding more shelves or drawers to your space. Start labeling the ones you already have so you know exactly where everything goes. It will be much easier for you to keep things organized, even during busy times, once everything has its designated place.
2. Cut Back On Your Energy Use
Next, we suggest you cut back on your at-home energy use; it’ll save you money and it’s environmentally friendly! Part of this will require your entire family to be more mindful about their electricity and heat use – but it also means upgrading old systems that no longer meet energy efficiency standards.
That could mean installing smart home technology and upgrading your heating and cooling systems. These efforts will automatically cut back on the amount of power you’re using. Other changes you can make include upgrading your windows, installing low-flow shower heads and toilets, and switching to energy-efficient lightbulbs.
Behavioral changes can also make a big difference in your energy use. Things like switching off lights when you’re not using them, air-drying your clothes, and keeping your thermostat at a reasonable temperature can all have an impact. The environment – and your wallet – will thank you!
3. Create Your Dream Room
If you’re anything like us, you spend a fair amount of time fantasizing about dream rooms. Whether it’s an entertaining space, the perfect home office, a library, a workshop, or something else — we all have ‘em. If you have an extra space in your home that you aren’t using, make 2022 the year you make that dream a reality.
This soon-to-be dream-room could be a basement, attic, or just a spare room! Keep it simple: start by clearing it out so you know exactly what you have to work with. Then you can make a plan for how you want to bring the space to life. And don’t be afraid to take on some DIY projects. You might be surprised by how handy you are when you put your mind to it!
4. Upgrade Your Chore Chart
Cleaning isn’t glamorous work, but it’s gotta get done! Make a simple and effective cleaning routine to take the thinking out of it. After all, the moments of thought before the unsavory task are often more troublesome than the task itself!
Make things more efficient by allocating a few minutes at the end of the night to do dishes, put away laundry, and clear up any general clutter. For more intensive chores, focus on one thing at a time. Tackling at least one large task each day helps keep your home in good condition, and you won’t have to spend your entire weekend cleaning.
Teamwork makes the dream work – that’s the motto for 2022. If you live with family or roommates, work together to tackle the chores. Sharing responsibilities keeps everyone accountable to make your shared space a sanctuary, and it helps save time for all involved. (Many hands make light work and all that.)
Keep all of your cleaning supplies organized in a place where everyone can easily find them. (There’s that organization coming into play!) The more efficient you can make your cleaning routine, the easier it will be to maintain throughout the year.
5. Spruce Up Your Yard
If you have an outdoor space you’re not currently using, make this the year you spruce things up. Whether you have a huge yard or a little postage stamp of a patio, there are so many fun things you can do to make it a beautiful extension of your home! Plant a garden, build a fire pit, or even start composting. Not only does a beautiful yard make your home look more friendly and welcoming, but gardening can also turn into a fun and exciting new hobby. (Urban gardening included.)
