Many thanks to Evelyn Long for her article, New Year, New Improvements: Home Resolutions for 2025. Be sure to read Evelyn’s bio at the bottom.
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New years always bring goals and intentions. Many of these are personal, such as reading more books or traveling more often, and some are professional, like aiming for a promotion or wage raise. Frequently overlooked are home resolutions, where you set targets to ensure your house radiates a peaceful and comfortable aura.
Here are some home resolutions you can embark on in 2025.
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Declutter
Beyond throwing things away, decluttering is about designing a more orderly and serene living space. However, for some, decluttering could be a daunting and tedious task. Start small, perhaps in one area or room at a time.
Before starting, ask yourself if you really need or use the items. If your answer is no, be brave and donate, sell or discard them. Be honest with yourself. Don’t be reluctant to let go of sentimental items that no longer serve their purpose. Instead, you could take photos of them to preserve the memories, saving you a lot of space.
A significant benefit of decluttering is the amount of free space you now have that could be optimized for another functional area. For example, you may want to have an office, yoga room or extra storage. Finding things through clutter takes time, so decluttering makes your life easier.
The rule with any resolution is not to overwhelm yourself by trying to achieve everything at once. Decluttering is an ongoing process that could be mentally draining, so remember to take it slow and let go of things that no longer spark joy.
Enhance Landscaping and Curb Appeal
This year, make your outdoor space as inviting and attractive as the interior. You can start by removing all unnecessary and unwanted items from the yard, such as recycling bags, overgrown branches, broken outdoor decorations and any other eyesores.
Add a feature point in your lawn to draw attention, such as a water fountain, sculpture, topiary or colorful flower bed. Consider year-round plants that provide color in every season, like azaleas and hydrangeas. Trees and shrubs also provide shade and add to the house’s character.
Your home’s exterior also includes the walls and fixtures, so be sure to add a coat of fresh paint. You could mix things up with a vibrant color, paint or stencil the door to boost attractability, and paint the gate. Approximately 73 million people in the U.S. live in an area with a homeowners association or have a house in a historic district. If you do, get approval before proceeding.
For a truly luxurious touch, add outdoor lighting. Go green with solar path lights or get whimsical with string lights. Something as simple as a colorful new outdoor rug or sling chair could be enough to spruce things up. Your house could be the focal point of the street if you dedicate time and effort toward beautifying your lawn and curb.
Resource: Casart Outdoor Rug Flower Power Bold Multicolored Blue Teal
Set a Sustainable Cleaning Schedule
Having a workable cleaning schedule and regular home maintenance is vital to achieving your 2025 resolution seamlessly.
You can start by breaking down tasks into categories such as daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly. For example, you could make the bed and clean the kitchen counter after cooking each day. Weekly jobs could be mopping, cleaning the bathroom and doing laundry. Every month, add mowing the lawn, washing the windows and cleaning the refrigerator to the list.
You also need to schedule regular maintenance of the home systems, including air conditioners, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and smoke detectors. This is vital because not maintaining these systems could be catastrophic. An average of 44,210 home fires were caused by heating systems every year from 2016 to 2020, and 88% of the deaths due to these fires were caused by stationary or portable space heaters.
In addition, set up routine electricity, plumbing and structural checks and maintenance. You can keep your home clean and organized throughout the year and have peace of mind by ensuring proper maintenance and a consistent cleaning routine.
Embark on Home Improvements
Beyond being a great resolution, home improvements can significantly improve your living experience and property value. Adding security features like comprehensive alarms, sensors and cameras and upgrading locks can enhance your safety and give you peace of mind.
Retrofitting your house with green energy, such as solar panels or efficient and smart appliances like thermostats and lighting fixtures, can reduce your bills and decrease your carbon footprint. This can also increase your home value in the market.
You can also indulge in indoor gardening, which will introduce natural elements into your house. Plants can improve air quality, reduce stress and create a more tranquil atmosphere. You can get creative by adding an indoor herb garden or a succulent corner. Many plants also aid in hindering pests and mosquitoes.
Home improvements don’t have to be huge projects, either. Adding murals to an accent wall or removable wallpaper in a powder room are quick upgrades that can breathe new life into a space.
These simple yet profound refinements to your already appealing home can transform your house into a comfortable, sustainable and serene living space.
Let It Go
Embracing the mess may sound counterproductive to your resolutions for 2025, but it is key to a relaxed and calm atmosphere in your home. You need to recognize that a perfect and clean house at all times is not ideal and often unrealistic. This is even more so when you have kids or pets. Therefore, avoid striving for perfection because it can contribute to stress, anxiety and burnout.
Instead, focus on having a functional and relaxed living space. Be OK with some clutter because it gives the house a lived-in feel. Choose spaces that must always be clean, such as the kitchen and bathroom. You can tidy other areas, like the living room or your office, when time allows.
Remember, a messy house doesn’t mean an unorganized life. Focus on spending time with your loved ones to create long-lasting memories rather than constantly worrying about cleanliness. Finding an equilibrium between embracing the mess when necessary and enjoying home life is key to ensuring everyone has a good time.
Home Resolutions Help Set Intentions for a Comfortable House Throughout the Year
When you set achievable and sustainable home goals for the year, you will enjoy the feeling of achieving them and having a cozy and happy house to live in. These resolutions are more than just about improving your house — they’re about improving your quality of life. A decluttered home fosters peace of mind, a well-maintained yard boosts curb appeal and pride, and sustainable cleaning habits promote a healthier living environment.
As you embark on these goals, remember that small, consistent efforts add up to big changes. Whether you’re finally letting go of unused items or tackling that home improvement project you’ve been putting off, every step you take gets you closer to a place that better reflects your values and lifestyle. Let 2025 be the year you turn your house into a sanctuary where comfort, functionality and joy seamlessly come together.
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Additional posts & resources:
- New Year New Decor Revamp Your Home for a Fresh Start
- Happy New Year What Does 2019 Hold for Color
- Refreshing Your Space for Spring
- Decor Ideas to Make You Feel Happier in Your Space
Many thanks to Evelyn for her thoughtful article new year home improvements for 2025
About the author:
Evelyn Long is an interior design writer passionate about helping homeowners bring life and personality to their spaces.
She is the Editor-in-Chief of Renovated, where she provides interior design tips and guides.
She also contributes to sites like DecorMatters and National Association of Realtors.
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