Go to GoReading for breaking news, videos, and the latest top stories in world news, business, politics, health and pop culture.

New Year"s Resolutions For Your Home

103 23
It's New Years Resolution time again! Not just for you personally, but for your home as well.
If your walls could talk, what would they be saying? Here are some resolutions your home might like you to consider (along with a few tips to help you along the way): Diet - Reduce clutter and your home will look and function better.
If you haven't used something in the past year, you probably don't need it.
This goes for just about everything - clothes, furniture, kitchen gadgets, toys, electronics, and those mysterious boxes in the basement or attic.
Use 3 piles (keep, pitch, donate) and do one room at a time.
Donate what you don't need - but just the good stuff.
Charitable organizations are not garbage collectors.
  • Tip: Adjust your perspective.
    It's not selecting what you're willing to get rid of, but identifying what you really need.
  • Tip: If you're too emotionally attached to something, take a picture of it before you get rid of it.
Organize - Put stuff where it is used the most, and put it back when you're done.
"A place for everything and everything in its place" is not just a cliché, it's a way to gain control over your stuff and your life.
Get an organizational plan and go for it.
  • Tip: Don't make your plan so complicated that it is tough to follow.
    Start with a simple calendar, filing process, and "action" paperwork pile and grow your specific plan from there.
  • Tip: Don't expect 100% cooperation from family.
    Keep your expectations realistic, and implement a weekly catch-up so you can't get too far behind.
    It's like dieting when you're just 5 pounds over - much easier.
Improve (Home) Hygiene -Give your home a vigorous deep cleaning (curtains, windows, baseboards, etc.
), then set a weekly cleaning schedule and stick to it.
  • Tip: Most people don't have the time to clean the whole house at once.
    Break it into a logical schedule, such as: bathrooms day, kitchen day, laundry/linens day, dust baseboards day.
    Be realistic and leave a "catch up" day in your schedule, just in case.
  • Tip: Plan on vacuuming frequently though - makes cleaning easier in the long run.
  • Tip: Don't forget to delegate tasks to family members.
  • Tip: The best offense is a good defense.
    Reduce dirt and germs starting at your door.
    Remove shoes whenever you enter the home.
    Put a large basket by each door you use.
    When it gets full (or unsightly) take it upstairs and let everyone retrieve their respective shoes.
    Make sure everyone has slippers - and have a few spare sets for guests.
Maintenance -Fix stuff when it needs it.
Waiting too long can cause more unseen damage.
Much like our bodies, ignored issues do not typically go away.
  • Tip: Are you a DIY kind of person? Great! But do use a professional when needed - especially for electrical or plumbing issues.
    Fixing it right once costs less than fixing it wrong twice.
Think Big - Add value to your home.
Finish the basement or add on a sun room.
Remodel a bathroom or kitchen.
These projects can really add value to your home.
  • Tip: Before you lay down some big bucks on large projects, estimate how long you plan to live in your home.
  • Tip: If you're thinking about selling, you should absolutely have your home professionally staged (for a projected 343% ROI, according to the latest Homegain study!) Plus, a professional Home Stager will help you determine which, if any improvement projects are needed.
Get a Makeover -Give your home a facial with a fresh coat of paint.
While you're at it, why not try a new color? Update the wood trim.
Update a room with new pillows, art, and accessories.
How often do you change the arrangement on your mantle? Do you update your décor seasonally? Is your furniture arrangement working for you? Painting a room, rearranging furniture and updating accessories can make a huge impact in a room with a very little budget.
Don't be afraid to switch furniture and accessories between rooms.
Mix it up a bit!
  • Tip: Take a picture and reverse it, or look at your room via a mirror.
    Your brain has cached an image of your room.
    Reversing that image results in a whole new perspective.
    Is there a conversational area? Is the room balance vertically? Are the traffic patterns efficient? Is there proper lighting for specific tasks? Is artwork hung at the appropriate height?
  • Tip: Map out your room and furniture with graph paper, or use an online space planner.
    Don't forget to use moving discs to save your back!
  • Tip: Consider hiring an Interior Redesigner who specializes in working with what you already have.
    They can help you come up with a plan you can easily implement without a big budget.
  • Tip: Vanish unsightly indentations left behind in your carpet by melting ice cubes on them, then fluffing with a toothbrush.
Spend Less -Spend money wisely - shop where you get good value.
Spend the money on the most important features of the room, but fill in the accessories with some smart shopping.
  • Tip: Plan out your whole room at one time.
    Piecemeal items selected over time are difficult to coordinate and often result in unnecessary purchases.
    If your budget is limited, first identify what you need, then purchase them as you are able.
  • Tip: Might I suggest HomeGoods or their sister companies T.
    J.
    Maxx or Marshalls? Or find bargains online at eBay or Overstock.
Go Green (a.
k.
a.
Save Money)
-Do you recycle?Are your light bulbs energy-efficient? Do you use low-flow toilets? Are your appliances Energy Star rated? Do you leave lights on? Do you have a programmable thermostat? Not only will you save money, but you'll help reserve limited resources, a real win-win! With rising prices on the horizon, this is a great way to help bring your budget under control.
So next time you hear a strange creak or mysterious noise in your home, listen carefully.
Your home might be trying to tell you something.
Source...

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.