As we start the dawn of a new year and bid farewell to the old year, we begin a path toward improving ourselves and embracing change. Why not extend this spirit of renewal to your living space?
Get ready to explore home-related resolutions, discover practical decluttering and organizing tips, and see our recommendations for easy, budget-friendly home improvement projects to kick-start your year.
Home Resolutions
1. Create a Relaxing Sanctuary
Your home should provide a sense of calm and serenity. Consider incorporating calming colors such as soft blues, greens, or neutral tones into your decor.
Introduce comfortable textiles like lap blankets and plush pillows to create a cozy atmosphere. Enhance the serenity with scented candles or essential oil diffusers, infusing your space with soothing fragrances.
2. Embrace Sustainability
Take on the responsibility of decreasing your environmental impact within your household. Start by swapping out traditional incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED alternatives. Consider investing in smart home technology to regulate energy usage.
Implement a recycling system and reduce single-use plastics by choosing reusable options such as recyclable shopping bags made of canvas or other durable materials, stainless steel water bottles, and glass containers.
3. Stay Organized
The key to a harmonious home is maintaining order. Develop a schedule for decluttering and organizing different areas of your home. Begin with high-traffic zones like entryways and living rooms, then progress to less frequently used spaces.
Invest in storage solutions such as baskets, bins, and shelving to keep items well-organized. Labeling containers can make things even easier. This budget-friendly home improvement option can have a drastic impact on the overall feeling of your home.
Organization Pro Tip:
Do you tend to create a pile on the stairs of things that need to be taken up or down? A stair bin (or basket) that sits on the step can keep the pile neat and tidy as well as make it easier to grab when you’re ready.
If you have kids, you can put a bin for each person on a different step. Put the items into the bin of the individual they belong to and then that person can be responsible for putting their items away.
Decluttering and Organizing Tips
1. Room-by-Room Approach
Tackling your entire home at once can be overwhelming. Break down the decluttering process by focusing on one room or even one cupboard at a time. This method allows you to concentrate your efforts and witness tangible results, providing motivation to continue the decluttering journey.
2. Donate or Sell Unused Items
As you declutter, evaluate each item’s utility. If you haven’t used it in the past year, consider parting ways with it. Create separate piles for items to donate, sell, or discard. This frees up physical space and promotes a sense of accomplishment and generosity.
3. Invest in Storage Solutions
Effective storage is essential for maintaining an organized home. Utilize storage bins, baskets, and shelves to keep items in their designated places. Clear storage containers are very convenient, allowing you to see the contents without opening each box.
You can also consider storage solutions that can be integrated into your existing decor for a seamless look. Cubes with a unique pattern, for example, can give a pop of colour and character to your space.
Storage Pro Tip: Looking for a deal on your storage containers?
There are 2 times of the year that we typically see storage solutions go on sale. Home organization is a common trend at the beginning of a new year, so January is a great time to find deals on storage bins.
The other time of year where we commonly see storage containers go on sale is in August as people are preparing for back to school.
Retailers like to capitalize on organization trends and you can use that to your advantage now that you know when to expect the best prices.
4. Digital Declutter
In our increasingly digital world, virtual decluttering is also essential. Organize files on your computer, delete unnecessary emails, and streamline your digital life for a more efficient and stress-free experience. Create folders to categorize documents and photos, making it easier to manage your digital files.
Places to Digitally Purge:
- Phone Camera Roll
- Computer Desktop
- Google Drive
- Email/Private Messages
- Phone/Desktop Apps
- Kindle Library
Budget-Friendly Home Improvement Projects:
1. Fresh Coat of Paint
One of the most cost-effective ways to refresh your home is by applying a fresh coat of paint. Choose neutral tones for a timeless and versatile look. Alternatively, experiment with accent walls to add personality and depth to your space. Consider eco-friendly paint options to align with your sustainability resolution.
2. DIY Wall Art
Infuse your home with personality by creating personalized and economical wall art. Gather materials such as reclaimed wood, canvas, or old picture frames. Express your creativity through painting, collage, or even arranging a gallery wall with meaningful photos.
This DIY approach adds a unique touch to your space and allows you to showcase your artistic flair.
If you’re not a DIY kind of person, second hand shops can be a fantastic place to find unique pieces at affordable prices.
3. Upgrade Lighting Fixtures
Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the ambiance of a room. Update your home’s lighting fixtures with affordable, stylish alternatives. Consider pendant lights, chandeliers, or statement lamps to enhance the visual appeal of your living spaces. Choose energy-efficient bulbs to align with your sustainability goals.
Updating the light fixtures is also a great way to add a modern feel and increase the value of your home before you sell. Buyers tend to see outdated fixtures as a big project and expense that they will have to take on. By handling it for them, you increase the perceived value of your home.
Check out the pro-tip below to see how you can update your fixtures for minimal expense and a little bit of handiwork.
4. Revamp Kitchen Cabinets
Instead of investing in new kitchen cabinets, consider giving your existing ones a makeover. This budget-friendly project involves painting or refinishing cabinet surfaces to breathe new life into your kitchen. Choose a color scheme that complements the overall theme of your home for a cohesive and refreshed look.
Home Improvement Pro-Tip
Costco is a fantastic option if you’re looking for an affordable way to update your home. In fact, their prices are often so much less than other big box stores, you may even find it worthwhile to purchase a Costco Membership for your home improvement projects alone.
Recently for example, Costco had modern, low profile, white LED interior light fixtures for less than $30 each. They are a simple-to-install DIY project (just don’t forget to shut the power off first) that can completely change the look of your home. Plus converting to an energy efficient option is great for your power bill.
Outside of lighting you’ll find pretty much anything else you could need from flooring to plumbing fixtures. While Costco doesn’t offer an abundance of options like specialty stores, they do usually cover all the basics so you can find something that will suit your home.
As you embark on the journey of a new year, extend the spirit of renewal to your home. Applying home-related resolutions, embracing decluttering and organizing practices, and tackling budget-friendly home improvement projects create a more comfortable living space and set the tone for a positive and transformative year ahead. Here’s to a “New Year, New Home” filled with joy, relaxation, and a renewed sense of purpose!
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