Don't make resolutions you may not keep, like losing weight or running five miles per week. Instead, why not focus on your home and use the new year to accomplish your home's to-do list? Find tasks that not only need to be done but can also enhance the pleasure of living in your home. Maybe you want to paint all of your bathrooms – easy enough. But perhaps you want to start a remodel. That takes a lot more effort in time and money.
Here is a simple way to break down the list of to-dos you want to accomplish so that when the end of the year rolls around again, you can look back and reflect on all that you were able to do to make your house feel more like your home!
Make New Year Home Improvements Lists
Start by making a list of everything you want to do this year. Don’t leave anything out. Include all the easy stuff and the hard stuff too. Once you have your list, go through it and separate the items into three categories: Easy, Average, and Hard.
- Easy means you can do it yourself at little to no cost.
- Average means you can probably do it all yourself and maybe you’ll need a little help with some of it. It also won't cost too much but you might need to make a budget for it.
- Hard means you will probably need to bring in outside help for most of the work and it won't be cheap. You’ll either have to budget for it or start saving.
Now that you have your three lists, take each item and break it down into micro-tasks. Break out every step you’ll need to do to accomplish the task. Make a list of supplies you’ll need, and create a budget too. Maybe start pulling ideas from magazines or start a Pinterest® board. Once you have all of your micro-tasks completed, arrange each task from Easy to Hard. Easy, for example, might be starting the Pinterest board or gathering paint samples.
Now you’re ready to start. Begin with the low-hanging fruit – the easy items from each list that you can accomplish right now. If it helps, put each micro-task on a calendar and start checking things off. Or get inspired by completing a few simple weekend projects.
Whatever path you choose to follow as you tackle your list of projects, before you know it, you’ll have most of your list checked off, and perhaps, within the first few months of the new year, you’ll have completed your entire “Easy” list. And with those items checked off, the tasks you have assigned as Average or Hard won't seem so daunting and you’ll feel a real sense of accomplishment. Don’t just sit there – get started!
Resources and Ideas to Help Inspire Your List-Making
Kitchen and Bathroom
Backsplash Ideas to Inspire Your DIY Side
Style Up Your Kitchen with Timeless Trends
Budget-friendly Bathroom Refresh
Top New Kitchen Counter Materials
Inside Your Home
Is It Time to Replace Your Windows?
Choosing the Right Types of Blinds for Your Home
Home Maintenance for Your Hardwood Floors
Guide to Care, Cleaning, and Maintenance of Grout
Upgrading to USB Electrical Outlets
Outside Your Home
Give Your Home Entryway a Facelift in 10 Easy Steps
Simple Ideas to Dress Up Your Backyard
How to Choose an Outdoor Fire Pit or Table
Should You Convert Your Garage?
