Every time January rolls around, we start brainstorming new resolutions that will help improve our lives. But while eating better and exercising more are great goals, your home could use some attention this year too!
So in 2022, instead of simply setting a few personal goals, consider making a list of resolutions for your home as well. Start the year off right by decluttering, cutting down on energy consumption and prepping your home for any emergency that may arise!
Declutter and donate unused items
The new year is the perfect time to take stock of everything you own, declutter and donate any unused items. Most organizational experts recommend starting with your most used space first, like a bedroom or your kitchen. Then, get to work gathering every item in that space and asking yourself two important questions: do you love this item? And do you use it regularly? If the word “no” pops into your head, set the item aside to be thrown away, repurposed or donated! We have a list of our favorite local thrift stores and consignment shops that will happily take your gently used items.
Set up new organizational systems
Once you’ve decluttered your home, take this opportunity to set up new organizational systems that will help keep your home clean and organized throughout the entire year. Start by creating a command center somewhere in your home that prominently displays important information like a hanging calendar, a running grocery list, and even the Wi-Fi password to help keep your family organized throughout the week. Then you can work on organizing other parts of your home like your files, your kitchen cabinets and other small areas that could use some tidying.
Rearrange your furniture
During the organizational and cleaning process, you might as well rearrange your home while you’re at it! Maybe you’ve noticed that there is a glare on the TV at a certain time of day. Or maybe you want to add a brand-new look to a specific room. No matter the reason, rearranging your furniture gives you the opportunity to give a room a deeper clean, avoid any awkward tan lines on furniture from the sun, and can even extend the life of your flooring.
Cut down on energy use
Planning to cut down on your home’s overall energy consumption is a fantastic New Year’s resolution. Not only does it help keep the planet happy, but your wallet will thank you as well! There are a few simple ways you can reduce your home’s carbon footprint, from turning off the lights when you leave a room to turning off the water when brushing your teeth. It’s also important to make sure you’ve insulated your home properly to keep out any frigid winter chills that could cause your home to lose heat.
Improve your home’s air quality
There’s a reason everyone loves fresh air so much! Indoor air can be full of contaminants like dust, pollen and even mold spores. The problem can be even more severe during winter when we’re keeping our doors and windows shut against the cold. But don’t worry! Harmful irritants in your home can be managed by maintaining your HVAC system and changing your filters regularly. If you aren’t sure how to maintain these systems yourself, a local HVAC technician will be happy to help.
Clean neglected areas
We all have neglected areas in our houses, from behind the washer and dryer to under the refrigerator. Kick the new year off right by sweeping, dusting and/or mopping spots that need some love. Then, be sure to add them to your cleaning rotation so they stay clean and tidy all year long.
Prepare your home for emergencies
It’s always a good idea to make sure your home is prepared for any emergencies that may arise. Start by checking your fire and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working properly in the new year. You should also make sure you have at least one fire extinguisher in your home, as well as a first aid kit that are both readily available.
Clean and maintain your appliances
When was the last time you cleaned your dryer’s duct? Or cleaned the filter in your dishwasher? Make sure your appliances stay in tip-top shape by giving them a good scrub and changing out any parts that have been neglected. Not only will this ensure you don’t have to make any large replacements in 2022 and can keep your family safe from any dangerous situations (like the lint in your dryer ducts catching on fire.)
Work out a weekly cleaning schedule
There’s no better time than the present to start planning for the future! Take advantage of this fresh start to establish some new cleaning habits. Make a plan to vacuum your couch every week or sweep the garage every month. Something as simple as a half-hour cleanup routine every few days can help establish clean habits and keep your home tidy all year long.
Schedule future maintenance appointments in advance
From cleaning the gutters to flushing your water heater, parts of our home need regular maintenance throughout the year. Instead of counting on yourself to remember those important jobs, take some at the beginning of the year to call your local plumbers, HVAC technicians and electricians to schedule future appointments. Then, you can simply mark those dates on your calendar and forget about them until the time is right!
Have a fantastic 2022!
Do you have any new year’s resolutions for your home? Let us know in the comments below.
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