Another new year is upon us, and if you’re like most people, your thoughts have turned to diets, fitness, education, career goals, and all-around improvement. But has home improvement crossed your mind?
You’ve made countless weight loss and job goals over the years, so why not try something a little different this year? In the blog below, we’ve listed nine home improvement New Year’s resolutions you can (and should) take on this year.
1. Update Your Interior Doors
Believe it or not, a door can make or break a room’s ambiance. If you feel like your home needs something more but you can’t figure out what, try updating all your interior doors. New doors are a quick, costeffective way to give your home an entirely new look.
2. Install Energy-Efficient Lights and Appliances
Energy efficiency has remained a constant trend. If you haven’t already embraced the trend, chances are old appliances that eat up too much power weigh down your home. Over the next year, consider taking the following steps to make your home more energy efficient:
Replace all light bulbs with Energy Star-approved bulbs.
Invest in new appliances like ovens, refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers since they tend to use the most energy. If you can’t afford any major appliances, replace small appliances like microwaves, toasters, and blenders instead.
Swap out your home’s air filters for clean ones-these allow your heater and air conditioner to operate efficiently.
No matter how small the changes are, your home will greatly benefit from newer lights and appliances.
3. Replace Your Windows
Do you often find your kids staring out the window, lost in a daydream? Does what you see through your window every morning motivate you to get up and take on the world? If not, you probably just need new windows.
Windows not only make your home feel lighter and fresher, but they can also enhance your home’s energy efficiency. Ask a window dealer about the benefits of installing energy efficient windows in your home.
4. Say Goodbye to a Boring Entryway
Do you feel happy when you walk into your house each day? Do guests pass right through your door or do they stop and marvel at how inviting your entryway makes your home feel? If your entryway looks bland and boring, whip it into shape with a new front door, light fixtures, house numbers, and décor.
5. Purify Your Air and Ambience
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, poor air quality is one of the biggest threats to a person’s. To protect your family and keep your lungs intact, take the following steps:
Change your heating system’s air filters regularly, as mentioned above.
Buy portable air cleaners to purify the air in your home’s most used rooms.
Only burn natural firewood in fireplaces and stoves. Man-made materials may release harmful toxins when burned.
Use localized vents in bathrooms and kitchens to clear humidity and cooking fumes. Also make sure the vents move air outside your home rather than to your attic or crawlspace.
Even if you don’t smoke and keep your pets outside, the air in your house could still be full of pollen, mold spores, and viruses, making the tips above extremely important.
6. Deep Clean Your Carpets and Flooring
When was the last time you cleaned carpets or waxed your hardwood floors? If you can’t think of the last time, put this resolution at the top of your list! The cleaner your floors and carpets are, the more time your family will want to spend in your home’s common areas.
7. Update Your Bathroom’s Hardware
Whether your toilet paper holder always falls off the wall or your shower head is caked in mildew, the start of a new year is the perfect time to replace the hardware in all your bathrooms. You’ll love how fresh (and safe) water that comes through clean shower heads and faucets feels.
8. Install a New Kitchen Backsplash
You may not have the money to completely renovate your kitchen this year, but if you want to refresh the space, consider installing a new backsplash. This small change will lend a completely new vibe and ambiance to your space, and it will ultimately make you want to spend more time in there trying new recipes.
9. Revamp the Room That’s Keeping You Down
Almost every homeowner has at least one room in their home that they’re less than happy with. Whether it’s your garage, extra bedroom, or office, use 2016 to make all the improvements you’ve wanted to make in that room. Throw on a fresh coat of paint, replace any old furniture, and organize the closets and drawers.
Luckily, you don’t have to turn all your resolutions into reality overnight. Simply choose a few from this list, then make a plan to accomplish them before this time next year. To learn how to accomplish your home improvement goals, be sure to take a look at our other blogs.
Alexandra 1/12/2016