New Year’s Resolutions For Your Home

When you think of a New Year’s resolution, you’re probably envisioning the usual goals we set for ourselves each year: go to the gym, learn a new skill, maybe save more money. It’s a great idea to set goals for yourself in the new year – so why not set a few for your house, too?

Our homes are some of our biggest investments, so improving them not only makes us happy – it may increase their value, which can help you make a profit later on, should you choose to sell.

So, what kinds of resolutions should you set for your home in 2022? Here are a few of our ideas.

While there are many renovations and improvements you can make to your house, some might be a struggle to tackle while it’s still cold outside, especially if you live in a state that has snowy winters. If you’re eager to start improving your home right away at the start of the new year, here are a few resolutions for things you can accomplish while it’s still chilly outside.

1. Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient

Making your home more energy-efficient is not only good for the environment and your personal carbon footprint, it can also save you a lot of money. If your goal is to better your home’s energy-efficiency for 2022, you can start by getting a home energy audit.

A home energy audit or home energy assessment is a thorough examination of your home and its energy usage, including where you may be lacking in terms of energy-efficiency. These assessments are typically performed by energy professionals who will put your home through a variety of tests to see where your house could stand to improve. This includes things like blower door tests, which are designed to see how much air could be escaping from your home, moisture tests, carbon monoxide tests, etc.

Once you’re aware of what needs to be improved, you can start making changes that will help you make your home more energy-efficient. Making sure windows are sealed so no heat is escaping as well as insulating your attic, buying Energy Star-certified products and even tuning up your HVAC system can all make a huge difference on your energy bill each month.

2. Remodel Your Kitchen

Cooking in an outdated kitchen? The new year is a perfect time to remedy whatever kitchen issues you might have. Whether you’re struggling with a lack of storage space or just looking to update cabinets and appliances, a kitchen refresh can be a great upgrade that adds value to your home. According to HGTV, kitchen remodels are consistently some of the best renovations you can make to your house. A good remodel can make your home more appealing to potential future buyers while also making your kitchen more practical and useful to you.

A kitchen upgrade doesn’t have to break the bank, either. If changing your cabinets and countertops out isn’t in the budget, something as little as replacing the hardware on your cabinets can make the space look drastically different. Changing or adding under-cabinet lighting is another cost-effective option that can potentially make a huge difference.

3. Finish Your Basement

If your basement still has drywall up or a concrete floor, now is the time to fix that. Finishing your basement is an excellent New Year’s resolution for your home for a number of reasons. First and most obvious – it adds significant value to your home. According to The Balance, finishing your basement will likely give you a return of 70% or more on your investment.

Finishing your basement also means you’ll have more space to do whatever you want – whether that’s adding a home office or even an additional bedroom. Completing your basement also makes your home more energy-efficient – your furnace and air conditioner won’t have to work as hard to heat the area once it’s less dark and damp.

4. Upgrade Your Security And Safety Systems

If you haven’t upgraded your home security system in a while – or don’t have any home security system in place – installing a new one might be a great idea for the new year. There are plenty of options available, from security cameras to alarms and much more. A good security system will alert you of any potential threat on your property and will hopefully help prevent potential break-ins and other issues that might occur, whether you’re at home or away on vacation. Things like video doorbells and outdoor cameras are a great way to keep an eye on your home, just in case.

When investing in a security system, you may want to think about home safety as well. You should replace smoke detector batteries once a year and your smoke detectors themselves every 10 years. Fire extinguishers should also be recharged every 6 years and replaced every 12 years.

5. Replace Your Windows

Replacing your windows can be costly – not to mention an inconvenient renovation – so why do it in the middle of winter? If you’re looking to invest in new windows this year, winter may actually be one of the best times you can do it. Since it’s the off-season, winter is the most affordable time to buy new windows – some companies may even offer discounts and deals.

Winter is also the time of year that windows might crack or let cold air through – which works to your advantage. Drafty windows can help you identify which ones need to be replaced and will also help you make sure that once new windows are installed, everything is properly sealed and no cold air is getting through.

There are some projects you may want to undertake to improve your home that can’t necessarily be done right away in January or February – like installing a pool or improving your house’s curb appeal with some major yard work. Here are a few more of our ideas to spruce up your abode for the new year.

Install A Pool

A backyard pool isn’t just a fun outdoor feature for kids to enjoy, it’s a property value booster and a useful asset to the whole family. Swimming is fun and great exercise, not to mention a good way to cool off in the summertime. While installing a pool may seem like a huge project, it may actually be more affordable than you think – and you won’t have to DIY your pool installation (unless you want to); most contractors take care of the entire process for you.

Inground swimming pools typically cost upwards of $35,000, but never fear – if the cost isn’t feasible, you can get an above-ground swimming pool for much less, typically around $1,850 – $4,977 according to HomeGuide.

Build A Deck Or Porch

If you want to further upgrade your outdoor living situation, you could also build a deck or patio this year. A deck, porch or patio makes a great outdoor hangout spot for you, your family and your guests. It also adds value to your home and can give you a serious boost in curb appeal. It typically costs $4,085 – $11,316 to add a deck to your home, according to HomeAdvisor. While you could technically get started building a porch or deck any month of the year, spring may be the best time to do it in terms of ease of construction and cost of materials.

Replace The Roof

Do you need a new roof? Unless it’s leaking or damaged, your roof probably isn’t something you’d think to replace or improve in this coming year. Depending on the material your roof is made from, however, it might be time for a replacement. In general, you should replace your roof every 12 – 20 years if it is made from wood, asphalt or composite shingles. Metal or rubber roofs last longer and likely don’t need your attention unless they’re damaged.

It’s important to replace your roof when needed to prevent future potential damage to your home caused by a faulty or leaky roof – so if it’s been a while, it might be a good idea to show your roof some TLC this year.