New Year’s Resolutions For The Home
2020 is nearly wrapped (is that a sigh of relief I hear?), and it’s almost time to ring in 2021 with open arms and renewed inspiration. It’s that time of year when we begin assessing our accomplishments in the last 12 months and setting goals for the next 12. As you start making that 2021 to-do list, you may find that improving your home experience might be part of it (especially since we’ve been spending so much time at home this past year). If you’re looking for some ideas on how to do that, we’re here to help.
Here are some ways you can upgrade your home life in 2021.
Channel Your Inner Marie Kondo
The holidays are here, which means you’ll likely accumulate some new goodies and gadgets from all those gift exchanges. So, in the new year, it’s time to consider making room for those new treasures and ridding your home of the items you no longer need that are filling up your closets, cabinets, surfaces, and drawers. Whether it be clothes you don’t wear, kitchen gadgets you never use, trinkets that don’t hold sentimental value, or all of the above, purging items that no longer serve you will not only give your home a fresh, clean start to the new year, it will also make you yourself feel lighter (trust me). To avoid waste production, consider giving those unwanted items to friends or family members who would appreciate them or donating them to a local thrift store.
Give Your Walls A Fresh Coat Of Paint
Now that you’ve purged your home of clutter, you may realize that your newly cleaned living spaces could use some sprucing up. But before busting down walls or replotting your floorplan, consider what a fresh coat of paint can do for your spaces. Paint can go a long way to give a crisp, clean feel to a room that’s seen better days. It can also transform how you experience that space. If a dark-walled room is feeling tight and close-quartered, choose a lighter color to create a sense of openness. If your large room is feeling too empty and cold, choose a richer, warmer color to help pull those walls in a bit. Looking for guidance on your DIY paint job? Check out our tips here!
Inject Your Personal Style
Ok, you’ve purged, and you’ve painted. Now it’s time to assess how much of your home reflects your personal style and where you can inject that style in an organic way. We’ve been spending a lot of time at home this past year, and for that to be the most enjoyable experience possible, creating a home that feels like you (or you and your family) is key. Need some inspiration to find what styles might best reflect you? Check out our post on choosing the right design style for your home.
Upgrade Your Closet(s)
Simply having proper storage space can take a home from feeling chaotic and cluttered to organized and pristine. Assess the efficiency of your current storage space (from pantries, to broom closets, to wardrobes) and consider how you can make the best use of the space you have. Have a pantry that doesn’t have enough shelving? Consider installing a more efficient shelving unit that suits your specific needs. Have a packed clothing closet but a spare bedroom that’s never put to use? Consider transforming that unused bedroom into a walk-in! (If you opt to upgrade your wardrobe, we’ve got a selection of great walk-in closet designs to choose from.)
Up Your Home Office Game
If you’re like 42% of the U.S. workforce, you’ve been working from home during 2020 and might be for the foreseeable future. So, if you haven’t already, it’s time to transform that home office into one you enjoy working in! Or, if this is more your situation, it’s time to establish a dedicated workspace at all that isn’t the kitchen table. Having a space devoted solely to work from which you can step away when you “clock out” is beneficial for work ethic, productivity, and mental health. Do what you can with the options you have to make the place you work an enjoyable and calming one.
Turn Your Backyard Into An Oasis
It’s winter now, but spring and summer will be on our doorsteps in no time. Start thinking now about how you’d like to make the best of the outdoor space you have. Summertime activities don’t have to take place on a beach or at a swim club. Soak up that warm weather from the comfort of your own outdoor space. Need some inspiration? Check out our post on creating an outdoor oasis in your backyard.
Bring The Spa Home
Nothing says “treat yourself” like a home spa, and if you’re considering remodeling your bathroom, incorporating a zen esthetic with spa features can be a great way to invest long-term in some much needed selfcare. Looking for guidance on how to bring the spa home? We’ve got tips on creating your dream home spa.
