Written by Jaclyn Crawford | Originally posted at improvenet.com
Every year, people start to make resolutions to hopefully change their habits or achieve a goal to better themselves. But, how often do you sit down and make home improvement resolutions? Maybe there’s a dream remodel you’ve wanted but never had the nerve to start. Or, your garage storage is just out of control. Make this your year to improve your home.
Sometimes, it can feel overwhelming with so many things you want to improve. Here are a few ideas to get you started and some steps you can take to reach your new year’s goals.
Write Them Down
From weight loss to reading more often, everyone has unique goals at the start of the new year. Home’s should be treated similarly. It’s a great time to make a fresh start by planning a head to achieve new year’s resolutions for your home. However, only 9.2% of people actually achieve their goals or resolutions, according to Entrepreneur Magazine. You can strive to be one of the few who reach their goals in the new year.
One of the best things you can do is to write them down. Make a list of all the goals you’d like to achieve and from that list, chose a few that you think you can reasonably accomplish. From here, you can list out the steps needed and start making a plan. This will help you to start reaching your home improvement goals.
Top Home Improvement Resolutions
People make different resolutions for various reasons. If you’re prepping to put your house up for sale this year, it might not be the best time to start a new garden but rather work on projects, such as a remodel, that will bring added value to your home. Regardless, here are some of the top home improvement resolutions:
- Kitchen Remodel
- Bathroom Remodel
- Storage & Organization
- Tuckpointing & Waterproofing
- Eco-Friendly Upgrades
1) Kitchen Remodel
If you’re looking to add value to your home, a kitchen remodel is a great place to start. A kitchen remodel will not only help you enjoy your space more, but also make your home more appealing if you’re looking to sell.
However, this is a big project. You’ll need to plan for at least three to four weeks without a kitchen as it’s being worked on. Not to mention, it can be costly as well, with the average cost of a kitchen remodel around $18,000. However, by starting your plans now, you can prepare your budget and your home for this big, exciting change!
2) Bathroom Remodel
Similarly, to a kitchen remodel, renovating a bathroom can add value but also take time and requires careful planning. While it does cost less than a kitchen remodel, with the average national cost to remodel a bathroom coming in around $8,820.
However, if your bathroom is old and outdated, this is your year to make it a modern, stylish oasis you’ve been dreaming of. Even if it’s small, you’d be surprised at what a few bathroom updates can do!
3) Storage & Organization
Start off the new year by getting organized! A common goal for many people is to clear the mess and get their homes organized. However, much of organization takes a change in habit and resources. One thing I like to do is invest in storage bins for items that might not otherwise have a place. This can be bedding and linens, bathroom products and more. You’d be surprised at how having the right size container can really help you form the habits of organization. I love these fabric containers because they look great and keep unused items out of sight.
Closets can often be a difficult area to keep organized. I recommend these flat storage containers that fit neatly on shelves, so you can see items you have stored clearly. If you don’t yet have a closet storage system, this is the year to invest. The average cost to install closet organizers is between $575 and $1,457, depending on the size of the space and what shelves are needed.
4) Tuckpointing & Waterproofing
While it’s not the most glamourous project, tuckpointing and waterproofing are important to your home. If not taken care of, you can end up with both internal and external damage. If this is a project you’ve been putting off, make it a resolution to get it done. The average cost of masonry repair is around $1,100, but this can vary greatly depending on the type of project.
5) Eco-Friendly Upgrades
Is your new year’s resolution to be more sustainable? Start the year off with some upgrades that can improve your carbon footprint. A task as simple as changing lightbulbs to new LED bulbs or adding a dimmer switch is a small step you can take. A larger step is replacing old appliances. Did you know you can actually save money on your utility bills long-term by choosing new, energy-efficient appliances?
To successfully make your home more sustainable, see all the areas that need work. Read Want A Green Home? Get A Home Energy Audit for more information on how this service can help you.
Conclusion
There are many resolutions you can make in the new year but try to include a few that allow you to make your home the best it can be. Use helpful tools like cost guides and project calculators to get started on planning your home improvement tasks.