It’s the start of a brand new year, and if you’re like most people you’ve probably already made some resolutions for yourself. Work out more, kick a bad habit, spend more time with family and friends. But, have you considered any resolutions for your home? After all, you spend a good chunk of your time there, so why not make it the best possible space it can be. It’s incredible how impactful a well organized, efficient and clean home can be on your personal life and daily habits. Stuck on what you could improve about your home, or need some ideas? We’ve got you covered.
Streamline and De-Clutter
This is the most inexpensive and effective ways to instantly feel better about your space. Clutter and excess stuff around the house makes us feel overwhelmed, and generally just breeds more clutter. See that old chair in the corner of your bedroom covered in clothes? Maybe it’s time to rehome it. Cabinets and closets bursting at the seams? Time to pare down the non-essentials and consider donating or selling the things you aren’t using. This year, resolve to go room-by-room and clear out things that are no longer serving a purpose to you – because there is a good chance someone else will find a use for it.
Turn Chores into a Workout
The number one resolution for people is to lose weight and be more active, so why not think of your entire home as a gym, and various chores as individual workouts. Your home will be cleaner and you’ll be leaner in 2017. You probably don’t realize how many calories you are expending, so here’s a breakdown of what the average 150 lb person will burn in just 30 minutes:
- Dusting and general tidying – 90 calories
- Scrubbing floors – 190 calories
- Vacuuming – 180 calories
- Cleaning windows – 153 calories
- Moving furniture – 225 calories
- Gardening – 169 calories
- Washing the car – 153 calories
Cut Down on Energy Usage
It’s true that a house requires quite a lot to keep it running properly, but you would be surprised how just a few little changes will lower your overall costs. Here’s some quick, easy and affordable ideas to get you started:
- Upgrade to a programmable smart thermostat, such as Nest
- Repair a leaky faucet
- Install a low-flow shower head
- Turn down the water heater to 120 degrees
- Use cold water for laundry
- Unplug unused appliances
Prioritize & Plan Home Renovations
Now that you’ve got some of the easy stuff out of the way, it’s a good time to start thinking about what bigger home improvements you want to make this year. Perhaps you’ve been considering a new kitchen renovation, or remodelling your master bathroom. Maybe you have been dreaming of giving the outside of your home a facelift? Any major home renovation takes time and money, so if you are hoping to have a new space completed an in use by the summer, now it is the time to start getting your ducks in a row. You can start by gathering ideas and inspiration for your new space on sites like Pinterest or Houzz – we always love when clients come with a collection of ideas! When you are ready to get a sense of budget, materials, and timelines, we’re here to talk you through it all and make sure your renovation goes smoothly, from start to finish.
From all of us at Canadian Renovations, we wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
