When the January rolls around, many people make vows about losing weight, being more responsible and taking control of their lives. But, we often tend to forget our living environment, which affects us every day and in many ways. This is surprising, considering that with little effort it is possible to make your home visually appealing, clean, functional and energy efficient. Such a living space is ground zero for making a personal fresh start.
Streamlining
One of the first moves should be cleaning the clutter. This is the least expensive resolution, but one that is the perquisite for some other steps toward owning a dream home. We all pile up mountains of stuff over the course of years and cling on to them for various reasons. Clutter not only makes your home look unclean and messy, it makes it hard to find the stuff you need. So, it is time to enhance your storage space, identify items that you want to get rid of or donate, and bid farewell to jam-packed drawers and cabinets.
Going Green
One of the best resolutions you can make is to cut down the energy consumption and reduce the carbon footprint on the environment. It includes things like your mother’s advice to turn off the light when not needed and using heater and air conditioner rationally. Some inexpensive energy-efficiency additions are compact fluorescent light bulbs and low-flow showerheads. But, there are also some home upgrades that take sustainability to the next level. There are many ways to solar power your home, with solar panels being the most popular choice.
Warming up
Winter is the time when we bring all those pullovers and sweaters out of the wardrobe. But, cold weather should also signal that our homes need to be warmed up. Summon every fuzzy blanket and cushion you can. Weatherstrip windows and doors, and enhance your home insulation. Bid farewell to lightweight sheers and welcome thicker draperies. Some of these changes will bless you during summer as well, as they keep the cool air in. You will boost the comfort and further cut energy costs, killing two birds with one stone.
The Outdoors
Many people tend to focus on the indoor decoration, but what about the backyard? This is a perfect spot to spend lazy afternoons snuggling up the blanket, or to throw an evening party when the winter ends. Hence, if you are a proud owner of a large yard, engage in some garden decoration. Bear in mind also that you can create a covered outdoor space such as a kitchen and blur the lines between the garden and the interior. When doing these extensive alterations, you will probably need the service of demolition contractors to pull it off.
Decorating Time
Now that you have made your home more energy efficient and functional, it is time to think about decorating. A lot of people make a promise to spend more time with friends and family, so why not make it a special experience? Think about adding life to neglected rooms with splashes of color and dramatic accents. Rearrange fixtures and furniture to provide more space for social gatherings. Introduce a breath of fresh air with potted plants, and brings some nature inside. Finally, engage in some DIY décor projects to personalize the space to make it shine.
A New Hope
Come New Year, people start to notice that the atmosphere is brimming with possibilities and resolutions sprout up like mushrooms after the rain. It does not have to be anything too ambitious, so start with baby steps. When the winter throws all the coldness and whiteness at you, respond with shades of green living and layers of coziness and warmth. This will enable you to embrace the spirit of new beginnings, and have a peace of mind for the rest of the year.
