It's time to start thinking about those home improvement resolutions! Every year, we have things that we need to get done. And every year, time seems to just slip away, and our task lists are slowly forgotten. There isn't enough time in the day to get these things done, but they do need to get done eventually. So, in the spirit of the season, let's think about some New Year’s resolutions for 2020.
1. Reduce Energy Usage
New windows and doors are a great way to upgrade your home and improve your energy efficiency. Reducing your energy usage is good for the environment and good for your bills. Not only would new windows and doors save energy, they also look great and will help your home feel more comfortable. You can also consider adding insulation or investing in a smart thermostat — smart thermostats are affordable and very easy to install yourself.
2. Keep Up with Your Seasonal Maintenance
Don't forget to clean those gutters. Not every home improvement is something that's "once and done"; some of them are routine tasks that we just don't keep up on. Yet gutter cleaning is an important step in keeping your roof in good shape. Make a schedule for gutter cleaning or hire a professional gutter cleaning company to come periodically.
3. Plan and Save for Home Repairs
Start building your home repair emergency fund now. Major home repairs can happen at any time. If your roof gets damaged tomorrow, do you have the funds to fix it? If you start planning and saving for major home repairs now, you won't be blindsided later.
4. Keep Up with Outdoor Landscaping
Your outdoor landscaping may need some work moving into the new year. Landscaping is something that is often put on the back burner. After all, you're likely tired when you come home at the end of a long day, and you may not want to go outside and work in your garden.
If you find you absolutely can't keep up with your yard and landscaping, it may be time to consider a landscaper. Landscapers can come every couple of months just to make sure you're keeping up on the yard.
5. Be Ready for Your Guests
Keep your home inviting and tidy, and you'll never have to worry about inviting people over, even last minute! Many people worry that their home is too messy to have company over, but a simple clean up every time you leave can resolve this. Once you get into the habit, you'll be surprised how much time this minimal effort will save.
On the other hand, don't get too caught up in making your house "perfect" for guests. Do your best, but don't let a little untidiness stop you from socializing with friends and family. They may even be relieved to discover you're just as imperfect as they are.
6. Make Your Home Smart
If tech is your thing, consider some smart upgrades. Smart upgrades make your home more convenient to use, manage your electricity better, and even improve your security. Consider adding smart locks to your doors, camera systems to alert you if anything happens in your home, and even smarter fire detectors which can alert your phone if they detect smoke. Smart home assistants offer a great way to improve your home's functionality, allowing you to turn on lights and change your thermostat on command.
7. Make a List of Repairs
Don't wait. Make a list of the repairs that you want to do in the upcoming year right now. Set a goal to make a single repair every month so you can stay on track in the new year. Sometimes it's really just organization that's lacking, and the faster you organize, the faster you can get things done.
Don't forget to separate these tasks into the things you can do yourself, and the things you might need a little help on. Sometimes it's just easier to get a professional to do the tasks you either don't want to do or can't do on your own.
8. Finish That "One Project"
Is there one project that you've been putting off for a while? Get that project done first, so you can stop worrying about it. Too often we have a single thing (sometimes an easy thing) that we just don't want to do. The problem is, sometimes that small thing can hinder us on making progress toward our larger list of goals. By getting your dreaded project out of the way now, you'll have the time and energy to work on other things later.
Home maintenance is something that has to be done regularly, or it can build up to the point where it seems insurmountable. Once this happens, it can be hard to get motivated and harder to get started. Sometimes you need a little help. Want some guidance on where to focus your energy? Check out the Renovation Inspiration section of our blog!
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