When you think of drafting your New Year’s Resolution, your list typically includes things like “going to the gym more”, “eating healthier”, or “saving money for a big trip”. This year, instead of just making resolutions for yourself, think about giving your home some TLC and work in a few simple chores during the new year. It’s easier than you think to add these easy tasks to your 2018 New Year’s Resolutions and transform your home!
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to improve your home is to get rid of clutter. Throughout 2017, like most people, you’ve probably acquired plenty of items that you’ve either forgotten about, don’t use anymore or they’re broken or missing parts. Your cabinets and drawers are likely stuffed to the brim, along with your closet, and could use a good purging. The new year is the perfect time to dig through and either toss out or donate items you don’t need or use anymore. You’ll be amazed at how much cleaner your home will look and how organized you will feel!
While “cleaning” isn’t something you would normally write down on your New Year’s Resolution list, why not start off the year strong and kick off good cleaning habits that you can practice throughout the year! Instead of trying to cram in every chore in one day, separate your tasks and take it day by day. At the end of each day, knock out a few small tasks to prevent clutter and dirt from building up (i.e. put all the clean dishes away, put all the dirty clothes in the hamper). When you plan on tackling the whole house from top to bottom, it can be overwhelming. Instead of doing it all by yourself, make a game plan and utilize the divide and conquer method. Split up tasks between you and your family and you might surprise yourself with cleaning your entire home in less than an hour! Once you get in the habit of allotting a little bit of time every day to accomplish a few chores, you’ll be amazed at how much free time you’ll clear up for yourself in 2018.
Have you had the same color on your walls since you moved in? Spice things up this year and add repainting your walls to your resolutions! Whether you want to take on the whole house or just change up one room, a fresh coat of paint can completely transform your room. If you’re wanting your home to look brighter and more inviting, consider painting with a neutral color – like beige or taupe. Not ready to paint an entire room? The accent wall is still on trend and you can paint it using a solid color or pick out a patterned wallpaper to add a “pop” to any room.
As we roll into 2018, make a list of all the small things you’ve been putting of and take care of all of them right away so you don’t waste a single second of the year worrying about them. Can’t remember the last time you replaced batteries, light bulbs, or checked your smoke detector? Take ten minutes out of your day and go through and replace all old light bulbs with new, energy efficient bulbs. Grab a pack of whatever batteries you need and go through the house and pop out all the old batteries (in your remotes, smoke detectors, etc.) and replace them with brand new ones. Lastly, make sure to that all of your smoke detectors are fully functional. After replacing the batteries, make sure they are still fully functional and ready to warn you in the case of a fire.
For those of you with carpet in your home, have you been toying with the idea of getting rid of it? Try replacing them with hardwood floors that can handle heavy foot traffic, are better for allergy sufferers and are easier to keep clean. Not ready to trade out your cozy carpet for hardwood? Get rid of all the dirt and grime you tracked in from 2017 and make a resolution to get all of your carpets deep cleaned. Whether you rent a carpet cleaner or hire a professional to come in, it will be worth it to begin 2018 with a fresh start.
As we approach the New Year, make sure you’re giving both yourself and your home the fresh start you both deserve. Whether it’s adding a fresh coat of paint, changing light bulbs and batteries, or working out a cleaning schedule, transforming your home in 2018 is easier than you think.