8 Life-Enhancing New Year's Resolutions
Stop dreaming about what your house could be and kickstart the new year by taking action
Laura Gaskill
31 December 2019
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
With a fresh calendar on the wall and all of its empty boxes yet to be filled with to-dos, the start of a new year is naturally an optimistic time. If you’re in the mood for making a few resolutions, why not consider what you can do at home to help enhance your life? Here are eight ideas for home resolutions to help increase gratitude, tap into your personal style and make your house truly a home in the new year – along with concrete steps you can take to get started right away.
1. Appreciate and savour what you have
Your home shelters you and supports you and your loved ones. Why not make the start of the new year a time to focus on the abundance you already have in your life, rather than things on your wish list? Read books from your own shelves, cook meals from your pantry, listen to music you haven’t played for a while, pull out your favourite old movies, snuggle under your favourite quilt. Appreciate the plenty all around you!
TAKE ACTION: Start a gratitude notebook (paper or digital) and jot down five things about your home for which you are grateful right now. Then list 10 things you have in abundance in your home that you would like to appreciate more. Keep your notebook handy so you can add more, and flip through it as a reminder of the abundance of good things in your life.
Your home shelters you and supports you and your loved ones. Why not make the start of the new year a time to focus on the abundance you already have in your life, rather than things on your wish list? Read books from your own shelves, cook meals from your pantry, listen to music you haven’t played for a while, pull out your favourite old movies, snuggle under your favourite quilt. Appreciate the plenty all around you!
TAKE ACTION: Start a gratitude notebook (paper or digital) and jot down five things about your home for which you are grateful right now. Then list 10 things you have in abundance in your home that you would like to appreciate more. Keep your notebook handy so you can add more, and flip through it as a reminder of the abundance of good things in your life.
2. Identify what you like
Following your heart and choosing things for your home that you really like can be harder than it sounds. Sometimes it means not buying something until you can track down something better; other times it means ignoring what is ‘in’ when it doesn’t speak to you. Commit this year to paying closer attention to what styles, colours and textures attract you. When you know what you like, you can make better choices and build a home that really feels like you.
TAKE ACTION: Start a new Houzz ideabook labelled something like ‘totally me’ and fill it with images that you instantly connect with. Go a step further by adding a quick description of what appeals to you about each photo – the colour, a certain chair, the windows, etc. If you’re in a more tactile mood, snip some pictures from magazines and make a mood board or tape them into a notebook.
Following your heart and choosing things for your home that you really like can be harder than it sounds. Sometimes it means not buying something until you can track down something better; other times it means ignoring what is ‘in’ when it doesn’t speak to you. Commit this year to paying closer attention to what styles, colours and textures attract you. When you know what you like, you can make better choices and build a home that really feels like you.
TAKE ACTION: Start a new Houzz ideabook labelled something like ‘totally me’ and fill it with images that you instantly connect with. Go a step further by adding a quick description of what appeals to you about each photo – the colour, a certain chair, the windows, etc. If you’re in a more tactile mood, snip some pictures from magazines and make a mood board or tape them into a notebook.
3. Remove or change things you do not like
Removing the negative is just as important (or even more important than) adding the positive. Have you been living with a wall colour, chair or box of mementos that is weighing you down? Make this the year to say goodbye to all of the things in your home that are not serving you.
TAKE ACTION: Walk through your home with a notepad and start a list of the things you would get rid of right now if you didn’t have to worry about what to do with them. Once you’re finished, sit down with a cup of tea and look over your list as objectively as you can – what on the list could you get rid of today? What’s holding you back from letting go of the other items? Get rid of at least one thing on your list today and make a plan to let go of the others.
Removing the negative is just as important (or even more important than) adding the positive. Have you been living with a wall colour, chair or box of mementos that is weighing you down? Make this the year to say goodbye to all of the things in your home that are not serving you.
TAKE ACTION: Walk through your home with a notepad and start a list of the things you would get rid of right now if you didn’t have to worry about what to do with them. Once you’re finished, sit down with a cup of tea and look over your list as objectively as you can – what on the list could you get rid of today? What’s holding you back from letting go of the other items? Get rid of at least one thing on your list today and make a plan to let go of the others.
4. Don’t let renting stop you from making your home a place where you love to be
Just like buying clothes for the size you are now, it’s important to make the most of your current living situation. There are tons of things that can personalise a rental: removable wallpaper, stick-on picture hooks, area rugs, houseplants and curtains. Decide to stop waiting for a home you own to make the place you are living in now awesome.
TAKE ACTION: What have you been holding yourself back from doing because you rent? Choose one thing (hanging pictures, buying a new rug) and do it this weekend.
Just like buying clothes for the size you are now, it’s important to make the most of your current living situation. There are tons of things that can personalise a rental: removable wallpaper, stick-on picture hooks, area rugs, houseplants and curtains. Decide to stop waiting for a home you own to make the place you are living in now awesome.
TAKE ACTION: What have you been holding yourself back from doing because you rent? Choose one thing (hanging pictures, buying a new rug) and do it this weekend.
5. Refuse to buy anything unless you have a specific need or place for it
All of the decluttering in the world can’t make up for simply bringing less stuff into your house. Choose to start a new habit this year of spending more mindfully. Depending on your current shopping habits, this can be challenging to get used to, but it is worth the effort. Each time you find yourself considering a purchase, ask yourself whether you really need the item. If it’s a decor item and not purely functional, bring it home only if you love it and know exactly where you will put it.
TAKE ACTION: Grab a sticky note and write on it “Do you need it? Do you know where you’ll put it?” and stick it to the inside of your wallet, where you will see it when you are getting ready to make a purchase. If you tend to shop online, put a sticky note on the computer, too!
All of the decluttering in the world can’t make up for simply bringing less stuff into your house. Choose to start a new habit this year of spending more mindfully. Depending on your current shopping habits, this can be challenging to get used to, but it is worth the effort. Each time you find yourself considering a purchase, ask yourself whether you really need the item. If it’s a decor item and not purely functional, bring it home only if you love it and know exactly where you will put it.
TAKE ACTION: Grab a sticky note and write on it “Do you need it? Do you know where you’ll put it?” and stick it to the inside of your wallet, where you will see it when you are getting ready to make a purchase. If you tend to shop online, put a sticky note on the computer, too!
6. Vow to see constraints as a blessing
While having no limits seems like a blessing, it can actually make things more difficult. Having distinct limits can help kick your creativity into gear – it’s what makes those design shows where the participants have to work with found materials or a limited budget so fun to watch! If you’ve been thinking of your small space, lack of storage, limited budget or (fill in the blank) as a hindrance, make this the year to see things in a new light and come up with some creative solutions.
TAKE ACTION: Brainstorm at least five ways your home’s biggest ‘problem’ could be a good thing. Don’t worry if some of the things you come up with are silly – the point is to shake things up and begin to look at your problem from a new perspective.
While having no limits seems like a blessing, it can actually make things more difficult. Having distinct limits can help kick your creativity into gear – it’s what makes those design shows where the participants have to work with found materials or a limited budget so fun to watch! If you’ve been thinking of your small space, lack of storage, limited budget or (fill in the blank) as a hindrance, make this the year to see things in a new light and come up with some creative solutions.
TAKE ACTION: Brainstorm at least five ways your home’s biggest ‘problem’ could be a good thing. Don’t worry if some of the things you come up with are silly – the point is to shake things up and begin to look at your problem from a new perspective.
7. Be brave and change the big picture if you need to
If your living situation is stretching you financially or otherwise stressing you out (maintenance of a large home can be exhausting!), take a step back and consider whether changing where you live could make your life easier. What would it feel like to live well within your means, in a big-enough home? Or consider what your life would be like if you lived in a smaller space, closer to your work and friends … or farther away from the city, in a place where you could grow that garden you’ve always wanted. Use the new year as an opportunity to do some bigger-picture thinking about what you want from your home.
TAKE ACTION: Make a list of pros and cons about moving into a different (perhaps smaller or less expensive) home. Take your time and revisit your list over the next week until you feel you have a handle on what your next move should be (or not be).
If your living situation is stretching you financially or otherwise stressing you out (maintenance of a large home can be exhausting!), take a step back and consider whether changing where you live could make your life easier. What would it feel like to live well within your means, in a big-enough home? Or consider what your life would be like if you lived in a smaller space, closer to your work and friends … or farther away from the city, in a place where you could grow that garden you’ve always wanted. Use the new year as an opportunity to do some bigger-picture thinking about what you want from your home.
TAKE ACTION: Make a list of pros and cons about moving into a different (perhaps smaller or less expensive) home. Take your time and revisit your list over the next week until you feel you have a handle on what your next move should be (or not be).
8. Promise yourself treats
You deserve them! Little things, like fresh flowers, a fancy bar of soap, a cup of tea or a fresh baguette from your favourite bakery can be a bright spot in an ordinary day. But consider working bigger treats into your life, too – if you love art, for example, you could start a special savings account to save up for a painting you’ve had your eye on. Planning ahead and saving up for the things you really want is a good way to create a home that reflects your tastes.
TAKE ACTION: Make a list of 10 of your favourite treats, small and large. Make a second list of free treats, for when you need a pick-me-up but don’t want to spend any cash. Make a plan to treat yourself to one of these things this weekend.
TELL US
Are you making any home resolutions or goals for the new year? Tell us in the Comments section.
You deserve them! Little things, like fresh flowers, a fancy bar of soap, a cup of tea or a fresh baguette from your favourite bakery can be a bright spot in an ordinary day. But consider working bigger treats into your life, too – if you love art, for example, you could start a special savings account to save up for a painting you’ve had your eye on. Planning ahead and saving up for the things you really want is a good way to create a home that reflects your tastes.
TAKE ACTION: Make a list of 10 of your favourite treats, small and large. Make a second list of free treats, for when you need a pick-me-up but don’t want to spend any cash. Make a plan to treat yourself to one of these things this weekend.
TELL US
Are you making any home resolutions or goals for the new year? Tell us in the Comments section.
What are you working on?
Related Stories
How-To Guides
How to Feng Shui Your Apartment
By joeyyap
How can this traditional technique be used for apartments, condominiums, and other high-rise buildings?
Full Story
Most Popular
Feng Shui Basics: Put Your Plants in the Right Place
By Karla Rey
Having plants in the right location is part of an overall strategy of having good chi
Full Story
Most Popular
6 Tips for a Cooler and Breezier HDB Flat
Hint: These don’t involve cranking up the air conditioning
Full Story
Lifestyle
The Spare Change Secret and 6 Other Ways to Make Life Easier
By Amy Revell
Ever needed to find something pronto – batteries, spare change, first aid – but had no idea where it was? Help's at hand
Full Story
Festive Decorating
How to Make a Sophisticated Natural Wreath for the Holidays
Rosemary, olive leaves and bittersweet berries combine in an inviting decoration that will last through the season
Full Story
Lifestyle
How to Declutter When Your House is Full of Digital Devices
By Amy Revell
As technology replaces so many physical items in our lives, don't forget to declutter as you go
Full Story
Health
Cleaning Routines to Keep Your Home Virus-Free
Follow this CDC advice to make sure your kitchen, bathroom and other high-traffic areas are clean and disinfected
Full Story
Safety & Maintenance
Why Check Your Home's Humidity
Indoor air moisture can affect your health – and your furnishings. Here's why and how to find the balance for your home
Full Story
StayHome
Eco-Friendly Tips and Tricks for Cleaning Your Home
Are you wary of using chemicals to clean? These simple products and tricks will keep your home spotless naturally
Full Story
Expert Advice
How to Work From Home Alongside Your Spouse and Children
A time management coach talks through maintaining productivity during this 'circuit breaker' time
Full Story
Yes!! I read that Marie Kondo book before the whole tidying up craze and decided that I would un-clutter my house with the help of scandinavian and mid century decor. I found a great statement piece, a womb chair, and white paint. My dining table is white and so is my tv credenza. I found out many of the cluttering comes from furniture I don't really need and adding an extra responsibility to my furniture (to be art) was a great idea for unclutter. I feel great.
I had hoped one of these resolutions would be to make one or two small energy-efficient changes to make your home more comfortable and lower your bills. Could be part of "treats" in #8 :-)
Love all
These ideas! Now that COVID has become a worldwide issue I have spent so much more time in my home and I am much more appreciative of the small things!!! I also have done a lot of redecorating and getting ride of things I don’t want anymore! It is super thrilling to do this becuase my mom was always a pack rat, and would never throw things away!!! I now choose to be different and create space I love in my home.