5 Easy Resolutions for the Home

On 11 Jan, 2013
By carly
With 2 Comments

Contemporary Dining Room design by Janet Paik

I know, I know. We are all bombarded by various lists of resolutions and ideas for the new year. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and not follow through. But it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try! And if you can’t get to these now, you can always make them mid-year resolutions.

This list is short, easy to accomplish and fun to do. I will follow up with a post on each resolution, including some tools to help you stick with it. Be sure to check in with us all week.

(1) Entertain more at home (once a month).

Hot chocolate party! Traditional Spaces design by My Sweet Savannah

Socializing with friends and family is always fun, so this should be easy. But I have a hidden agenda behind regular entertaining: hosting guests forces you to clean and to keep your rooms neat and clutter free.

(2) Rearrange your furniture often.

Open concept layouts can be rearranged endlessly. Design by Culligan Abraham Architecture

It sounds a bit silly, but I guarantee it’s worth the effort. There are two major benefits to this resolution:

Keep your house clean. Whenever I move a piece of furniture I always discover some hidden dust bunnies and am glad to clean them up.

Boost your brain power. Changing your environment stimulates your brain by giving you a fresh perspective and forcing you to “think” about your surroundings. The added bonus is that you might stumble upon a better living room layout!

(3) Start a tradition.

Game night anyone? Room design by Nunley Custom Homes

As a counterpoint to changing up your physical environment, start a new tradition in your home. I believe that your physical surroundings are fleeting and ever-changing (which is why they are stimulating!). Balance it with tradition and you can keep your home grounded, no matter where it moves or how it changes.

(4) Make a home inventory.

This may seem like a chore, but with all the apps out there (or a Mochi Home spreadsheet soon to come) it’s easy to keep organized. A good home inventory helps you remember what you own and how to replace it. It’s also helpful for your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. And once you make the first one, it’s easy to keep it updated.

(5) Give yourself a time out (corner).

You DO have space for a time out corner.

I see a lot of resolutions about taking time out, meditating, having a quiet moment, spending time without technology, etc. And I agree it’s a good idea to establish “me” time. To help with that, set up a very intentional time out corner and fill it with whatever makes you happy and relaxed.